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Connecting the PH-Pro, Power Pro, or Power House, to a PC

The Ph Pro already has a built in PC interface. You need is a serial to USB cable such as this one - https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/6-foot-USB-to-Serial-Cable-for-Power-Pro-p224642161

USB_cable_2.jpg

Windows 10 users STOPE HERE and READ this article!: https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4460359461651-Windows-10-updates-blocking-USB-driver-installation-

This cable is a USB to Serial Interface DB9 Connection using the RS232 protocol for sending binary commands. Used to connect an NCE command station serial port on a Powerhouse, Ph-Pro, or CS02 to a standard USB PC port. This unit does not require any modifications to the command station for proper attachment. For non-NCE supplied cables the maximum cable length is 50 feet, or the cable length equal to a capacitance of 2500 pF. The latter rule is often forgotten. This means that using a cable with low capacitance allows you to span longer distances without going beyond the limitations of the standard. Be aware that MANY low cost FTDI or USB to serial cables use counterfeit clone FTDI chips which DO NOT WORK. Google this well documented issue for more details.

Do not attempt to install or run JMRI or any other software until AFTER the driver is installed and configured correctly. If this has been done prior to driver installation remove JMRI and all folders that were created during the installation. Now reboot the PC. Next check to see if the driver installed correctly. Go to:

Start\Settings\Control Panel\Device Manager.

Look for the Ports section, click on the arrow, The exact listing under ports will vary but it should look something like this:

Serial_Port_Device_Manager.JPG  or mceclip5.png

If you are using JMRI, the JMRI status bar will look like this:

Serial_port_JMRI_status_bar.JPG

If nothing is listed under ports, look for a listing under the heading of "other". If it is listed under "other" or "unknown" the driver needs to be manually installed.

Do not attempt a Windows 10 manual driver installation of any kind without calling NCE first. 9a-4pm M-F eastern time 585-265-0230  ask for Ed. Please be in front of your PC with working internet access before calling for assistance. NCE currently only supports Windows 7 and Windows 10. We apologize but NCE does not have the in house resources to support Apple products. Apple users please contact the online JMRI users group for help at  https://groups.io/g/jmriusers/.

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For Extremely long distances over 50 feet, convert to ethernet first. Example: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/tripp-lite/B165-101/4438262?utm_adgroup=Miscellaneous&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Product_Networking%20Solutions_NEW&utm_term=&utm_content=Miscellaneous&gclid=CjwKCAiAu5agBhBzEiwAdiR5tNKhNLArvhnlpuaPWMwKbAMeeSzDKCwhw7MzFPfV1NsLh51UNyf39BoChyAQAvD_BwE

 

 

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