Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

NCE Powercab and circuit breakers

3763 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
NCE Powercab and circuit breakers
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 5:36 PM

The origin of this newbie question is that I saw some NCE festoon bulbs on the clearance shelf at MB Klein, didn't know what they were and assumed it was something for O-scale.

Then I saw the CP6 on the NCE page.  If you don't use a booster, and while I don't plan on using one in my future layout, they also you can't use their EB1.  They don't say why.  Does that mean that other aftermarket circuit breakers aren't recommended with the Power Cab?

I should add that I am planning on a L shaped layout with yard and industrial switching.  Down the road, I might expand to an □ shape and if I am going to need power districts in the future, now would be a good place to start.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • 43 posts
Posted by sdCowboyBen on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 7:52 PM

You might not need a booster now but down the road you might. It depends on how many locos you have, the size of the layout and what kind of wiring you use. Don't scimp. I too have looked at the NCE CB6. You must have some means of short control or you will frey the DCC boards, track or everything including the Power Cab. My districts will all use the same CB6. In your case you will need the CB6 or some other means of stopping shorts. I found that the CB6 is a cheap means on controling any shorts. The circuit breaker kind of short management is a little bit (OK a lot more) expensive. All in all it is good that you ask these questions now and not later when you have wired everything and you put a loco on the tracks and it doesn't go anywhere but you smell the burning DCC equipment. Good luck.Cowboy

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 10:27 PM
The Power Cab is rated at someplace between 1.7 and 2.0 amps of output power. Many commercial DCC circuit breakers will not trip at this low value. The PSX line of breakers will, as long as the the Power Cab is at firmware level 1.65 or higher. The PSX line of DCC circuit breakers are very good.

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: The Villages, Fl
  • 59 posts
Posted by bavrail on Thursday, March 17, 2016 8:32 AM

The trip value on the PSX and PSX-AR can be adjusted. 

The currents can be adjusted over a range of 1.27 to 17.8 amps.

WS

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!