Hi folks.
I am ready to get my DCC system. I have decided on NCE, but I have some questions. I most likely can only afford the PowerCab to start with, but I was wondering what the difference is in the PH Pro? Is it worth to pay the extra cash now and start big?
I know about the recall stack on the Pro cab, but I don't know about any other differences. If there is a link to a good discussion about the various NCE options that compares them, that would be great.
Also, what is the difference between the 04e (encoder) and 04p (potentiometer) throttles?
If you have not already done so join the NCE-DCC Yahoo group. Free and many experienced and hekpful NCE users there. There is a current thread about the merits or lack thereof between the 04e and 04p cabs.
Folks smarter than me can probably provide a list of differences between the PowerHouse Pro systems and the Power Cab. Unless you plan on running many locos at once, especially ones with sound, the Power Cab may be all you need. It is, as I recall, a 2 amp system vs. the 5 or 10 amp PowerHouse Pro systems. At the Power Cab price I suggest you start with that. If you eventually go to the larger systems you will have an extra ProCab for not much more than you would pay for one by itself.
Good luck!
Well, you can read about the 04e and 04p cabs at the NCE website, http://www.ncedcc.com/. Some people like the potentiometer cab because it is like some of the DC hand throttles they're used to, and because the potentiometer has hard stops at each end of its travel. With this throttle, you can always have the cab in the zero position by making sure the pot is all the way to one stop prior to plugging it in.
The encoder cab has, of course, the encoder which acts like the knob on your new car radio....it will rotate continuously. This cab also has the advantage that you can run two engines/consists at the same time. You'll see that there is a switch at the top of the cab. Both sides of the cab can have a separate cab address.
Concerning the stack issue, there was a question about this a couple weeks ago on this forum. When the PowerCab is used as the stand alone system, the recall stack is limited to two. When used with the ProCab system, it acts like a ProCab and the recall stack is six.
Regarding the ProCab vs PowerPro system purchase, I'm staying out of that. I have a very small railroad, but I bought the PowerPro. But the Power Cab was not available at that time. The Club I belong to has the PowerPro, as do several other members. Then we have some newer members who have purchased the ProCab for use at their homes and are very happy with it. The club is also considering a ProCab to use for programming. This is because we have had several unfortunate incidents where some unenlightened individuals have royally screwed things up attempting to program something without knowing what they're doing. I think the bottom line on which you purchase has to do with how large yuo envision your railroad to be, how many engines/consists you want to run at any one time, and what the power requirements of those locomotives are.
JH,
First off: to the forum! Good to have you aboard!
The primary difference between the Power Cab and the PH Pro is that the Power Cab is the command station, booster, and throttle all rolled up into one. Its identical to the ProCab throttle but houses the command station and booster inside. (The ProCab throttle is just that, only a throttle.)
You can use the Power Cab throttle with the PH Pro system. The PH Pro command station/booster overrides the Power Cab and turns it into a ProCab throttle.
Whether you start with the Power Cab or PH Pro would mostly be determined by how big your layout is (or will become) and how many locomotives you plan on operating at a time. The Power Cab comes with 1.7A of total output; whereas, the PH Pro comes with 5A of total output.
I have a 4 x 8 layout and chose the Power Cab. I later opted to get the Smart Booster to raise the total output of the Power from 1.7A to 3A. The Smart Booster also gives me the option of being able to plug and unplug the Power Cab without shutting down my layout.
As you mentioned, the recall stack is one difference between the Power Cab and PH Pro. Another would be that the PH Pro comes with a RS-232 connector on the back of the command station so that you can hook it up to a computer. Some folks like this option because it allows them to use JMRI's DecoderPro to tweak and store their locomotive decoder settings in. (It's really handy for speed matching locomotives with it.)
The major difference between the CAB-04p and CAB-04e throttles is that one uses a potentiometer (knob) to operate your locomotives and the other an encoder. It just depends whether you prefer the physical stops or not.
JH, if you go to my web site (the link is at the bottom of this post), there's a review of the CAB-04p throttle under the Review heading, on the left hand side of the page. There's also one on the Power Cab and Smart Booster, as well..
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks. This is helping.
My current layout is totally temporary and experimental. Something to tide me over while I work on plans for the "real" layout. I am getting DCC now because I can and want to more than truly need it.
Currently I could have 3 locos running at once with 2 operators (I plan on getting a throttle with whatever base system I get). However, in the future I envision 3 operators and at least 5 locos on a 14x25' layout. So, I want to start small now with the ability to grow.
If the only real difference in the PH Pro is power, then I should be fine starting with PowerCab.
As far as RS232 control goes, I am very interested in computer control, but it isn't a priority just yet.
I started with the Power Cab and then upgraded to the pro. I use the original controller with the pro along with a smaller unit.(forget the model #). The nice thing is that I have a program track set up so that all I have to do is plug in the power cab to do off track programming and testing.
Springfield PA
Another thing to consider about the 04p vs 04p is that with potentiometer, if you transfer from one throttle to the 04p and the train is running you have to kinda guess where the throttle setting should be on 04p so there aren't any sudden changes in speed when you selct the loco/train. With the encoder (04e) thisn't an issue. I have one of each and the 04p is mainly used for yard operations, the 04e is used everywhere..
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
modelmaker51 Another thing to consider about the 04p vs 04p is that with potentiometer, if you transfer from one throttle to the 04p and the train is running you have to kinda guess where the throttle setting should be on 04p so there aren't any sudden changes in speed when you selct the loco/train. With the encoder (04e) thisn't an issue. I have one of each and the 04p is mainly used for yard operations, the 04e is used everywhere..
I have been using NCE since 1999-2000. Used dynatrol, a forerunner of DCC prior. My system has four power districts (4 boosters) and command station, along with the radio gear. I have 8 procabs, and for sound units, they are the only way to go. But I have always had a thing for the knob and have 12 of the CAB04P cabs, which are used for the various yards, and for trains on the main that aren't sound. Personally I end up with a CAB04P in my hand just about every time when running by myself. I don't buy the CAB04E, so can't compare.
However, you will find NCE to be an easy system to operate and maintain, and the people at NCE are top notch. However, they are a small operation and if you want their immediate attention on something, it is better to call rather than email.
Bob