GWR88 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Evening all, After debating with myself whether or not to go DCC, i've decided I should and have therefore narrowed my controller choice to two options: The gaugemaster prodigy express The nce powercab I,ve read online that the gaugemaster doesn't have read back capabilities and I'mwondering if anyone can please tell me what this means and how it affects the controller. Also, could anyone please recommend a supplier to possibly get a powercab off of. Thankyou very much and i'msorry if all of this has been asked before. Lloyd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Hi Reading back CV values is important so as you know what you're moving a CV from in the beginning or what its set to if you're unsure or the loco is second hand. But its not an absolute. The PE does both read and write CVs - see the manual here... http://www.gaugemaster.com/instructions/prodigy/dcc01.pdf AFAIK it doesn't allow accessory decoder operation. Of the two system I would go with the NCE PowerCab. This is fully featured and can read and write all CVs plus it can operate accessory decoders etc Try Coastal DCC where it is currently on sale for £130.00 (I have no connection with the company at all) http://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/nce/power-cab Edit to add PE manual link Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWR88 Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks for the help clarifying CVs for me Brian. In regards to the PE not being able to read CVs, I must have just read a wrong review somewhere. All the best, Lloyd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks for the help clarifying CVs for me Brian. In regards to the PE not being able to read CVs, I must have just read a wrong review somewhere. All the best, Lloyd I think early versions of the MRC Prodigy Express would only support readback if you used a Prodigy Advance cab (handset) rather than the Express cab supplied with the system. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 The Prodigy Express was replaced by the Prodigy Express2 (squared) last year.This was a slight upgrade. The user manual contains this contradictory information regarding Accessory decoders and Route setting..... Accessory Decoders (Prodigy Advance Cab only)The Prodigy Express2 will handle most NMRA compatible accessory decoders. This type of decoder can operate turnouts (switch tracks) or toggle accessories, like building lights, on and off from your Cab. Accessory Routes (Prodigy Advance Cab only)Grouping of turnouts (or accessories) can be consisted to form a route. The Prodigy Express2 DCC system allows up to 31 routes and up to 8 accessories in each route. Very confusing, especially as MRC's own information on their web site says that the Prodigy Express2 still doesn't do turnouts or routes. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWR88 Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks Ron, Does that mean the gaugemaster prodigy express is a a new version (The squared one) as it looks the same. Lloyd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks Ron, Does that mean the gaugemaster prodigy express is a a new version (The squared one) as it looks the same. Lloyd Yes, the Gaugemaster version of the Prodigy Express was changed to the newer "Squared" model last year. Old Gaugemaster PE New Gaugemaster PE2 . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Hi Taken as a Copy and Paste from the Gaugemaster web site for the DCC01 Prodigy Express 2... Not as powerful as its older brother Prodigy ADVANCE and without the ability to operate accessories in its current format, this system might not suit the more experienced modeller, but for the newcomer or someone keen to try DCC at a competitive price... etc... With the PA2 if you want to operate accessories you need to press the 'Accessory' or the 'Route' buttons. As supplied the PE2 doest have these buttons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Walters Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I bought the Express2 I thought I was happy with it, but the manual gives the briefest of information. I've linked it up to my layout and I'm getting OVLD in the window, which I've taken to mean overload or short circuit, this is without a loco on the track, and no visible short circuits either. The ony thing that i can think may be causing the problem is one electrofrog point I have in the sidings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Does the same thing happen if you power off the mains transformer and then pull out the green plug in the rear of the base unit then power back up the mains power unit? So as no Track or Programming track feeds are connected. If it now powers up correctly the issue is on the rails or in the wiring somewhere. If it still shows OVLD then the issue is within the PE or its base unit. In this case I would return it to Gaugemaster. Edit to add... I assume your Electrofrog point has two Insulated Rail Joiners (IRJs) fitted to the ends of its Vee rails? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I am after a little advice/opinions I am in the process of building a (nother!!) layout N gauge not large around 8 x 6' it will of course be digital I have been an Digital user for over 20 years now and used many systems, these days I use MRC/Gaugemaster Prodigy on a couple of indoor lines and Massoth on the garden line However as the new N layout is only likely to have at the most 2 locos running at once and there will be no decoders to control apart from the locos, and as long as I can programme CVs, what is the opinion out there on my using a Prodigy Express> or do i spend a few pounds more and buy a Prodigy 2? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Prodigy Express2 doest operate accessories but does everything else. Cost around £125 ish though can be possibly less if research is done. (eHattons price) Unless you have a specific reason for needing a PE2 I would seriously be looking at obtaining a NCE PowerCab - £130 from Coastal DCC currently. Does all your ever need and lots more too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I was never too impressed with NCE unless there have been recentt improvements? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Izzy Posted October 29, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 29, 2015 Is there any particular reason why you can't use the Prodigy system you already have - hard wired in perhaps ? I use my PA2 with a variety of layouts, 2mm, 4mm, just plugging the command station into whichever of them I am using via a Din plug and socket. Just a thought. Izzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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