Mini Panel
Accy and Macro Controller
Dimensions: 3.20" x 2.70" (81 x 69 mm)
Revision 1.00
$49.95
Build the kind of control panels you’ve always
wanted without complicated wiring!
Use one button to control multiple switches or macros on your NCE DCC
Up to 30 pushbuttons, toggle switches, block detectors, etc. can be
connected for control of turnouts, signals and other devices
Easy programming, just plug in a ProCab
Simple hook up, one Cab Bus connection and 2 wires for each
pushbutton or other input device
Can be used to perform simple automatic train control and other
layout automation tasks
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This book, schematics and artwork copyright 2008
NCE Corporation 82 East Main Street Webster, NY 14580
Last revised: 9 December 2008
Description of Mini-Panel
The mini-panel is primarily intended to make it easy to build control panels for yards,
towns, interlockings and other layout applications. This manual concerns itself with
these aspects of the Mini Panel.
A secondary use of the Mini Panel is to provide rudimentary automation of trains or
control of signals. For more information on this aspect of the Mini-Panel the
Mini-Panel Technical Reference is available for download from our web site:
www.ncecorporation.com/pdf
For even more complex automation or signal operation the Macro-Panel has more
comprehensive implementation of these secondary features and more memory for
command storage.
The mini panel has 30 inputs that can be connected to pushbuttons, toggle switches,
block detectors, etc. for the purpose of issuing accessory, macro or locomotive control
commands. A thirty-first input is provided to act as a panel reset.
Activation (grounding) of an input will initiate sending a string of one or more DCC
commands through the track to control turnouts, locomotives, signals or other DCC
controlled devices. Inputs are activated by connecting them to the mini panel
“GROUND”. This makes the mini panel compatible with pushbutton/toggle switches
and most block detectors. Virtually any device that provides a "contact closure" to
Warning: Do not connect devices that are powered from an external power supply
to the Mini Panel Any electrical noise from an external supply will be introduced
the Cab Bus possibly causing erratic operation of your system.
panel ground can be used.
The mini-panel communicates with the command station via the cab bus and uses
one cab bus address. The factory default address is 3.
Setup (programming) of the mini-panel is accomplished by plugging a ProCab or NCE
USB adapter into the “setup” jack. If USB is used the mini-panel memory is accessed
via CV read and write commands (page or direct mode). USB jumpers should be set
for PowerCab v1.28. CV7 and CV8 return the manufacturer number and version of
the Mini Panel as with a decoder when used with the USB interface. See the Mini
Panel Technical Reference for additional USB information.
Installation Notes:
The mini panel runs off Cab Bus power (nominal 12V DC) and draws about 90mA of
current, slightly less than a ProCab. NOTE: When used with a PowerCab use the mini
panel must be used with the address of 3.
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Wiring:
See the diagram below for sample wiring ideas.
Plug in ProCab
or USB interface
for setup
Optional Reset
Push button
Push
Button
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
GND
SETUP CAB BUS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 GROUND
PIN 1
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
1 2 3 4
BD20
Block Detector
Cab Bus
can be
daisy chained
through the
Mini-Panel
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Toggle
Switch
Simple control panel example:
Below is an example of a control panel for a simple yard with 3 tracks off the mainline.
We will need 4 pushbuttons to select the various tracks in the yard or main. We
designated the yard as tracks 2, 3 and 4 with track 1 the main line.
Simple control panel example
Cab Bus
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
East
Control Panel rear view showing wiring
Four
Push
Buttons
3
2
1
West
Track 4
Track 3
Track 2
Track 1
Cab Bus
25 26 27 28 29 30 31GND
SETUP CAB BUS
PIN 1
4 5 678
1 2 3
GROUND910 11 12 13 1415 16
"Ground wire"
Control panel front view
Last revised: 9 December 2008 Page 3
Wiring of the mini panel for this example is straight forward. Each pushbutton has two
terminals. We connect one terminal from each button together and then tie it to one
of the "GND" terminals of the Mini Panel. Then we tie the remaining terminal from
each button to a separate input terminal of the Mini Panel. The last connection(s) to
be made is the Cab Bus connection. There are two Cab Bus connectors making it
easy to 'daisy chain' the Cab Bus through the mini panel. Once the wiring is complete
it is time to setup the Mini Panel to send the commands for correct alignment of the
yard switches when each button is pushed.
Control panel setup example
In the example there are three DCC controlled turnouts with accessory addresses of 1,
2 and 3 as noted in small text on the panel drawing above.
What we want to accomplish:
Press button 1 to align the turnouts for track 1, press 2 to align for track 2, 3 for track 3
and so on.
Pressing button 1 will need to send the following command
Accessory 1 (turnout 1) to the Normal (straight position)
Button 2 will need to send
Accessory 1 to Reverse (diverging) position
Accessory 2 to Reverse (diverging)
Button 3 will need to send
Accessory 1 to Reverse (diverging)
Accessory 2 to Normal (straight)
Accessory 3 to Reverse (diverging)
Button 4 will need to send
Accessory 1 to Reverse (diverging)
Accessory 2 to Normal (straight)
Accessory 3 to Normal (straight)
To set up the Mini Panel:
1. Turn off system power or unplug the Mini Panel from the Cab Bus
2. Plug a ProCab into the "SETUP" jack of the Mini Panel
3. Turn on the system power or plug in the Cab Bus.
NOTE: a ProCab will only be recognized if it is plugged in to the SETUP jack before
Cab Bus power is applied to the Mini Panel.
NOTE: in this example we will be using the Mini Panel at its default cab bus address
of 3 so make sure that any other cab bus device with the address of 3 is disconnected.
After several seconds the mini panel will detect the presence of the ProCab and you
should see an opening LCD display of:
NCE MINI-PANEL
VERSION 1.00
Press ENTER on the ProCab to get the main display for panel setup
1=SETUP 2=MACRO
3=TEST OPERATION
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We want to setup the panel so press "1" to enter setup mode, this will present the
display screen as below
SETUP MINI PANEL
1=INPUT 2=CONFIG
Press "1" to setup an INPUT.
SETUP INPUT MENU
INPUT NUMBER: 01
We will start programming the inputs with input number 1. Type “1” followed by
“ENTER” to program input number 1
SETUP INPUT MENU
STEP NUMBER: 1
Normally when setting up an input we start with step number 1. We want to start
programming at step 1 so just press ENTER to accept that step. Commands will be
sent from the Mini Panel in order of their step number until an ‘empty’ step is
encountered or four steps are completed.
INP: 01 STEP: 1
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
At this point we’re ready to tell the mini panel exactly which command to send when
button 1 is pushed. Press “1” to send an accessory command.
INP: 01 STEP: 1
ACCY NUMBER:
Type the accessory number “1” followed by “ENTER”. Allowable NMRA accessory
addresses are 1-2044. Accessory number 2044 is the broadcast address for
accessories. There is no accessory address 0.
INP: 01 STEP: 1
1=NORM 2=REV
Press “1” to send the accessory command for Normal when button 1 is pressed.
INP: 01 STEP: 2
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
Note that the step number has increased to 2 indicating the last command has been
accepted and the Mini Panel is ready for the next command for this input. We don’t
need any more commands for this input so press “PROG/ESC” to return to the main
menu.
1=SETUP 2=REVIEW
3=TEST OPERATION
Let’s review the command that has just been programmed. Press “2” to review.
1=SETUP 2=REVIEW
REVIEW INPUT:
Type “1” and press “ENTER” to review the command sent by input number 1
INP: 01 STEP: 1
ACCY: 001 NORM
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The LCD now displays the accessory number (1) that we entered and the turnout
position (Normal). Press “ENTER” to see the next step for this input
INP: 01 STEP: 2
--END--
The display now indicates that there are no more entries programmed into this string.
At this point you may continue pressing “ENTER” to cycle up through all the command
steps if you wish. The Input and step numbers will be displayed as well as a
description of the command for that step. Press “PROG/ESC” to return to the main
menu.
1=SETUP 2=REVEIW
3=TEST OPERATION
At this point we have programmed and reviewed the command(s) that will be sent
when input number 1 is grounded. The command can be tested by pressing “3”.
TESTING
INPUT NUMBER: 01
Press “1” followed by “ENTER” to test input 1. The command string associated with
input number 1 will be sent.
1=SETUP 2=REVIEW
3=TEST OPERATION
Putting the Mini Panel into test mode will also allow testing of any input by grounding
that input number. Pressing any button on the ProCab will return the Mini Panel to
setup mode.
Finishing programing:
At this point we have programmed, reviewed and tested the command(s) that will be
sent when input number 1 is grounded. In a similar manner we can program the
commands for inputs 2,3 and 4 using the proper accessory or macro commands.
Other Useful Commands:
Link:
If you need more than 4 steps for an input you can “link” to the steps associated with
another command. It is unusual that a control panel will need to use all thirty inputs.
You can use the command steps for one or more of those inputs by linking to that
input number.
Example: Assume that you need 6 steps for input number 1. Program the first 3
steps with the first three commands you want performed when input 1 is grounded.
When you get to step 4 do not enter the fourth command, instead select the LINK
command as follows. Press “ENTER” at the following prompt to see more command
options:
INP: 01 STEP: 4
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
You will see more commands.
INP: 01 STEP: 2
3=LOCO 4=SIGNAL
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Press “ENTER” again to see the “OTHER CMDS” Prompt.
INP: 01 STEP: 2
5=OTHER CMDS
Press ”5” to be presented with “OTHER” commands that are available
SELECT CMD GROUP
1=DELAYS 2=WAIT
Press “ENTER” to see even more options
SELECT CMD GROUP
3=LINK 4=CV PROG
Press “3” to select the LINK command.
SELECT CMD GROUP
LINK TO INPUT:
In our simple example any input from 5 through 30 is available. Enter the input
number for the link (30 would be a good number) followed by “ENTER”.
SELECT CMD GROUP
CMD BUFFER FULL
CMD BUFFER FULL indicates that all four command steps have now been used for
input number 1. Press “ENTER” to get back to the main menu as follows:
1=SETUP 2=REVIEW
3=TEST OPERATION
Press "1" to setup an INPUT.
SETUP INPUT MENU
INPUT NUMBER: 30
We want to continue with the remainder of the command steps from input 1 at input
30.
We will start programming the inputs with input number 1. Type “3” “0” followed by
“ENTER” to program input number 30
SETUP INPUT MENU
STEP NUMBER: 1
Press “ENTER”
INP: 30 STEP: 1
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
At this point continue entering the commands in the normal manner
Delay Command:
You can use the delay command to insert a pause between command steps. This is
useful for spreading out commands to accessory decoders that do not respond to
multiple commands to the same decoder (MRC, CVP and Lenz have this problem).
There are two delay commands. One inserts a delay in increments of four seconds
and the other delays in increments of ¼ second.
Example: Assume that you need a 1 second delay between two accessory commands
for input 3. Program the first step with the desired accessory command then when
Last revised: 9 December 2008 Page 7
you get to step 2 do not enter the second accessory command, instead select the
DELAY command.
To access delay commands:
Press “ENTER” at the following prompt to see more command options:
INP: 03 STEP: 2
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
You will see more commands.
INP: 01 STEP: 2
3=LOCO 4=SIGNAL
Press “ENTER” again to see the “OTHER CMDS” Prompt.
INP: 01 STEP: 2
5=OTHER CMDS
Press ”5” to be presented with “OTHER” commands that are available
SELECT CMD GROUP
1=DELAYS 2=WAIT
Press “1” to use the DELAY command.
SELECT INTERVAL
1=4SEC 2=1/4SEC
We want a 1 second delay. The 4 second interval will be too long so press “2” to
select the ¼ second interval delay command.
SELECT CMD GROUP
NUM 1/4 SEC: 00
Press “4” followed by “ENTER” to introduce a 1 second delay (4 x ¼ = 1).
INP: 03 STEP: 3
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
Note that the step number is now 3. The delay command uses up one command step.
Proceed to program the second accessory command as normal. When input 3 is
grounded the first accessory command will be sent immediately. After a 1 second
delay the second accessory command will be sent.
NOTE: The Mini Panel will do nothing while it is performing a delay. If you use a very
long delay activity on other inputs may be missed. With the short delays
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TEST
5
OTHER
INPUT #
INPUT #
6
2
OPEN
SKIP
1
2 3
INPUT #
INPUT #
REVIEW
2
MAIN MENU
SETUP CONFIG
CAB ADDRESS
MEM ADDRESS
1
SETUP
1
STEP #
INPUT #
SETUP INPUT
4
SIGNAL
MEMORY DATA
3
LOCO
2
MACRO
ASPECT
SIGNAL #
3
FUNCTIONS
2
SPEED
1
SELECT
MACRO #
2
F5-F8
5
ADD NOP
1
F0-F4
4
2
28 MODE
1
128 MODE
LOCO #
DIRECTION
SPEED VAL
SPEED VAL
DIRECTION
OPS PROG LOC
3
LINK
2
WAIT
GROUND
CV #
DATA
INPUT #
2
OPEN
INPUT #
1
INPUT #
GROUND
1
MENU NAVIGATION CHART
1
ACCY
ACCY #
NORM or REV
DELAYS
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2
#
1/4 SECs
1
#
4 SECs
Command Descriptions:
The following commands can be setup through the ProCab user interface and sent by
the Mini Panel:
Accessory/Macro commands covered in this manual
Accessory Command - all NMRA standard accessory addresses (1-2044) can be
sent via the accessory command
Macro command - all NCE macro numbers (0-255) can be sent via the Macro
command
Link Command
Delay Command
For a complete description of the other commands shown in the
MENU NAVIGATION CHART on page 9 see the Mini Panel Technical
Reference.
Locomotive commands - Speed and functions may be controlled
Select loco .
Speed commands
Function commands
Signal commands
Signal Command
Other commands
There are 6 groups of ‘other’ commands executed by the Mini Panel. These
commands do not result in a DCC command being sent but control the flow of the
commands from the Mini Panel.
Delays
Wait
Link
OPs Prog CV
Skip
Nop
Terminate
Disabling inputs
The sending of commands when certain inputs are grounded can be disabled
Continuous Memory
Command strings are normally limited to 4 commands per input (unless you LINK to
another command). This limitation can be removed for the writing of layout
automation "programs". Memory can be made continuous above a certain input
number so that up to a total of 124 commands can be strung together.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Warranty
This product is fully factory tested and warranted against manufacturing defects for a period of 1 year. As the
circumstances under which this product is installed can not be controlled, failure due to installation problems can not
be warranted. This includes misuse, miswiring, operation under loads or voltages beyond the design range of the
product.
For warranty or non-warranty repair/replacement send the product (an any payment, if required) to:
NCE Warranty Center 82 East Main St. Webster, New York
14580
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The terms Silent Running, Power Pro, PowerCab , ProCab, Switch-It the NCE logo with “Power of DCC” slogan are trademarks
of NCE Corporation. The distinctive shape of the ProCab when used with a thumb wheel speed control and LCD display is a
trademark of NCE Corporation.
Last revised: 9 December 2008 Page 11
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