Hello All,
Welcome!!!
You’ll need more than just the NCE USB Interface unit for PowerCab or PowerPro…
I use the NCE 5 Amp Power Pro wireless system.
My computer is an Apple Mac Mini (2023; with the M2 Chip).
I run JMRI DecoderPro, which is available for both Mac & PC.
From the JMRI DecoderPro web page, confirm you have the correct version of JAVA Script installed. (If needed, download and install the required version. This applies to both Mac and PC.)
Also, download and install any necessary “Drivers”. Updated mine today!
On my iPad Mini, I downloaded the full version of the WiThrottle app.
The iPad Mini is connected to the desktop via WiFi.
The desktop is connected to the NCE USB Interface for Power Cab unit with a USB/Printer cable.
If you are using a laptop, you will need a USB-A connection.
From the NCE USB Interface unit, a flat 6-pin cable connects to the left port of the UTP Panel on the facia.
The right port can be used to connect a ProCab or PowerCab throttle.
On the desktop- -Laptop- -open JMRI DecoderPro, go to the “Settings” panel.
The first pane is “Connections”.
Under “System Manufacturer” choose “NCE”. At this point, the header will be the default “Connection 1”.
Under “System Connection” choose “NCE USB”.
Under “Settings” > “Serial Port” choose the correct port. (For my Mac, it is “cu. usbserial-2330”).
“System” > “PowerCab”.
“USB Version” > “V7.x.x”
“Connection Prefix” > “N”
“Connection Name” > “NCE”
You will now be prompted to restart JMRI DecoderPro.
Restart JMRI DecoderPro.
Under “Actions” > “Start WiThrottle Services”. I recommend leaving this window open for the next step.
Open the WiThrottle app on your device.
It should prompt you to “Configure..” in the “Select Server” window.
Tap “Configure…” and enter the values from JMRI DecoderPro “Start WiThrottle Services”.
These might be different than the “Default” settings in WiThrottle.
Make sure that you include the port number, then hit “Connect”.
On the next screen, go to “Keypad” and enter the locomotive or NCE-created consist; which you built with the NCE throttle (cab), you wish to control with the first cab.
The full version of WiThrottle allows you to control two (2) locomotives or consists with a single device.
Choose the address you wish to enter “Short” or “Long”.
Enter the locomotive or NCE consist number.
Hit “Set”.
At the bottom of the app, hit “Throttle”.
If all went well, the left side of the screen should list the functions by their name, along with the locomotive, NCE-created consist number in green; “(L)” denoting a long address and an “(S)” denoting a short address.
To add or change the locomotive or NCE-created consist for that particular cab, go back to “Address” at the bottom of the app, and then hit the “Release” button.
To add a second locomotive or NCE-created consist, go back to the “Throttle” page and hit “Select” at the top of the cab.
Repeat the above steps to select and set a locomotive or NCE-created consist.
Return to the Throttle page and you should see both locomotives or NCE-created consist on the other cab controller.
The NCE ProCab or PowerPro throttles will work in parallel to these two cabs on the device, as long as each cab controls different locomotives or NCE-created consists, essentially giving you control over three (3) locomotives or NCE-created consists.
Hope this helps.
(Post Script: Full disclosure, I have not made these connections in a while. As I typed my response, I simultaneously walked throgh the instructions given and it all worked!)
HTH, JJDI.
