Author Topic: NCE Cab 04 "Engineer" throttles  (Read 1128 times)

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Cajonpassfan

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NCE Cab 04 "Engineer" throttles
« on: November 13, 2015, 04:23:58 PM »
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I need help here...

My standard throttles are the NCE radio full-feature hammerheads, which are nice but a bit of overkill for basic operation of yard switchers. Recently I acquired three wired Cab 04 "Engineer" throttles for use by local yard operators. The cabs will be attached to the layout by Velcro to allow free hands for switching and paperwork and are almost perfect for my needs, except for one thing: they have no "accessory" button, only a "macro" button. I do use macros extensively, but there's a need to throw individual turnouts as well, and I can't figure out how. Apparently this can be done by the macro button, but there are no instructions, just a reference to the full manual and I can't find anything there with respect to this specific issue. What am I missing?

Otto K.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2015, 04:27:11 PM by Cajonpassfan »

lyled1117

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Re: NCE Cab 04 "Engineer" throttles
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2015, 04:38:22 PM »
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This may not be the ideal solution, but the OPTION button can be reprogrammed to be "select accessory". The instructions do explain how to do this but you would want to change the value for that button to be "78". I suspect you realize this but because you don't have a screen on a Cab04 you won't get any feedback, you'll have to trust that you're pressing what you want and it was responded to.

Lyle

Cajonpassfan

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Re: NCE Cab 04 "Engineer" throttles
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2015, 05:49:51 PM »
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Thanks Lyle, I appreciate the comments.
Actually, the lack of feedback hasn't been a problem for me, that's the nature of these cabs and as I said, they will mostly be used for switching and hostler duties in the big yard. But I do like to use the "Option" button for direction reversal for switching (and forward/reverse for initial direction). I understand these cabs can be used in "yard mode" where the pot becomes bidirectional, but the absence of a firm stop or notch at the center makes me nervous about people leaving a bit of power on, or the pot getting moved off zero by accident. I might have to rethink all this and come up with a consistent protocol that works for my situation.
Any other thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.
Otto K.