Hi everyone,
I'm working on a compact display layout and I'm thinking about using a NCE PH-Pro system to power it. The problem is, the layout is so small I want to be sure that the command station/ booster box can fit inside of the bench work before I purchase it. If someone could provide the approximate dimensions of a PH-Pro box, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jamie
Cape Vincent Southern Railroad
HO scale Horseshoe Curve in 5’x10’
My YouTube
Seems like overkill to me. Get a PowerCab instead. It will more than likely handle the layout and you won't have a box to hide.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
If it's that small why not a PowerCab? Even if you plant o have 2 trains running, both with sound locos, you do NOT need a PowerPro system, the PowerCab has plenty of power.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
A Power Cab will be just fine for a layout of that size. I have the Power Cab and run three HO sound locos with no problem. I run one or two most of the time.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Ok,
I have a Powercab, and am aware that it has more than enough power for this layout. The problem with the powercab is the limited number of cab addresses. This layout is designed to be portable, and I want to use it at train shows to allow show visitors to operate trains. I have a cab 6 throttle I intended to place on the "public" or front side of the layout for that purpose. I also wish I use a USB adapter to allow computer control of the layout, and computer assisted programming (The layout has a permanent programming track). Finally I wish to have a use an NCE mini panel on the layout to allow it to operate automatically, so if I want to go look around at the show I can simply unplug the cab 6, and activate the mini panel. The problem is the power cab only has 3 (2,3, and 4) cab address slots. In order to do what I mentioned above I need at least 4 cab address slots. I looked at the SB3a booster and found that it does not have a programming track function. This means I would have to operate the SB3a and PCP board as completely separate systems, and would not be able to both operate the layout and program decoders using my USB adapter. I'm also not a fan of having just 4 cab slots with no room for future expansion.
I will also be attending shows with my club. We operate two 30 foot by 20 foot loops of Bachmann EZ track set up on folding tables. These loops are presently operated on DC by 2 MRC 6200 transformers. In the future as more of our members acquire DCC loco's, we may decide to operate one or both of these loops on DCC. If i equip the layout with terminals on the outside of the bench work, we could attach the DCC system on the inside to long feeders to power the club layout.
Well, those are the reasons I am Considering a power pro system for this layout. Any other suggestions would be appreciated, as I would love to use the Powercab that I have, If I can get all the features I want.
Thanks again,
Jamie:
The PHPro command station/booster box I have measures 7-1/4 inches wide, 5 inches deep, and 2-1/2 inches high. I have a Digitrax PS515 power supply. That is basically a block measuring 4-1/4 inches by 3 inches by 2-3/4 inches high.
Regards
Well Jaime, you have just proven that recommendations without a complete understanding of the needs are worthless. The Cab limit is one reason I can not consider the Power Cab myself as I routinely have 3 operators plus a PC interface and room for 2 more guests with my Digitrax Zephyr. Clearly that would not be a consideration for you as you are already invested in NCE. I don't have the PH Pro dimensions, but make sure you take into account any clearance for airflow as you don't want the thing overheating on you during a show.
Thanks everyone for the help, I apologize for not explaining it more in depth the first time. Hopefully I'll post some pictures of the layout as I get further along, there's not much to show right now.