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Video: NCE DCC 'Mini-Panel' AUTOMATICALLY Controls TWO MTH Proto 3, O ga. 3-Rail Diesels Running Point-to-Point

James IngramJames IngramOGR Forum Member

 

                                      (Last updated 1/23/20) 

  • This post has been UPDATED several time, to add ADDITIONAL videos and photos.
  • There are now a total of 7 videos.
  • These videos demonstrate using an NCE DCC "Mini-Panel" to automatically control MTH O-gauge trains (running them in the DCC mode). 
  • The most INTERESTING videos may be Video #824 showing 2 trains automatically running point-to-point, and Video #826 showing 2 trains running on a small circle of track (links are below).
  • Also, this post has been UPDATED to address the question below, re Power Cab voltage.

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820b-photo1

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1. Comments About Using The NCE Power Cab

Note that NCE strongly recommends NOT using the Power Cab for O gauge -- but I had already recorded my video, and it worked fine for my demonstration.

  • My older Power Cab has a 1.3 amp power supply.
  • Newer Power Cabs have a 1.8 amp power supply.
  • These are fixed at 13 volts (determined by the power supply).

 

  • Since this MTH diesel can pull about 3.1 amps fully loaded, I have to operate my diesel with very light loads -- so as not to exceed my 1.3 amp capacity.
  • I still believe the Power Cab could be used to successfully operate a small loco with only 2 or 3 cars around a Christmas Tree or on a Dept. 56 display -- but I could be wrong about this due to my lack of experience with O gauge.

821b-photo1

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2. Comments About the Point-to-Point Operation

  • The third Video #822 shows an NCE DCC Power Cab & an NCE Mini-Panel, Automatically Controlling an MTH 3-Rail O ga. Proto 3 Alco Diesel -- running back & forth "point-to-point" -- using either a single reed switch and magnet, or alternately using a single Z-Stuff DZ-1011 infrared detector.
  • As demonstrated in the video, a pushbutton will cause the loco to make one "back and forth" cycle, or closing a switch will cause it to run back and forth continuously.
  • The idea is that on a DISPLAY, the PUBLIC could use the pushbutton to operate the loco (one cycle).
  • After the loco completes it's cycle, it loco will sit and idle -- until someone else comes along, and pushes the button again. 

822b-photo1

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3. Comments About Video #823:

  • This video shows a setup with a Z-Stuff DZ-1011 infrared detector at BOTH ends of the track, and has 2 buttons whereby the public (kids mainly) can hold down 1 button to make the train travel forward, and hold down the other button to make the train travel reverse.

  • When the train nears the end of the track and blocks one of the detectors, the Mini-Panel will prevent it from going any further.

  • This is also demonstrated in in S gauge in Video #822 in Sect. 10 ( https://youtu.be/lzhWvoTdcVY?t=1592  ) -- using an S-Helper-Service gauge diesel to demonstrate (I did this before I got the O gauge loco).

823b-photo1

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824b-pntPnt2locos-crop70

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824c- 5738-4locos1600

Another screen capture from Video #824, showing S-gauge trains running point-to-point

 

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4. Automatic Operation on a Loop:

 

825b-photo1

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  • 824c- 5738-4locos1600
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Last edited by James Ingram
Original Post

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James IngramJames IngramOGR Forum Member
Engineer-Joe posted:

I would just suggest that you keep the smoke turned off to help here.

BTW, I haven't ever stalled a MTH diesel or steamer. My MTH 2 rail doesn't have traction tires. I do run their 3 rail and also there G scale with traction tires.

How many volts is the power supply?

I DO have smoke turned off on this loco.

Voltage is 13 volts, determined by power supply (I added this to original post).

See also below copy from NCE web page showing voltage ranges (you can CLICK on this image to open it LARGER).

zendesk-morePower

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Last edited by James Ingram
Engineer-JoeEngineer-JoeOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Thanks. I asked thinking you might have been able to raise the track voltage. Hopefully that might have lowered the amps.

I see you can't. I run my outside G scale higher and that shows lower amp draws on the meters. I have run five diesels in a consist with surprisingly lower amp draws like this. I remember when I first got a USA trains G scale diesel. I thought it was power hungry. After installing DCS inside and raising the track voltage, it's no problem at all.

James IngramJames IngramOGR Forum Member

Portable O-Ga. Display Layout, for Automatic DCC Point-to-Point Operation

Portable Display Layout, for Automatic DCC Point-to-Point Operation

  • This 96-second-long Video "#824B" shows a 7'-9" long portable automatically-controlled, O-gauge point-to-point display layout in operation.
  • The plan is that this layout will fit on one of the typical 8' long tables, that we can rent at train shows.
  • I hope to demonstrate this layout at several upcoming local train shows.
  • This layout demonstrates automatic point-to-point operation -- where the a member of the public can push a button, and the 2 MTH Proto 3 locos will run back and forth for 1 "cycle".
  • (The locos are automatically controlled by an NCE DCC "Mini-Panel".)

 

  • The COMPLETE DETAILS of this setup are in the original 35-minute-long video #824; the LINKS are at the BEGINNING of this thread, in the ORIGINAL post (which I have been able to update).
  • Note there are now a total of 7 videos in this O-gauge automatic controls series.

5937mmActFairQ70

Above photo shows portable layout at an "Activity Fair"

5840demo-constQ70

Above photo shows portable layout under construction.
The green board is 6" wide x 7'-9" long.

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Last edited by James Ingram

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Tags: MTH, NCE, DCC, automatic point-to-point train control, automatic train control, controlling MTH Proto 3 with DCC
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