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A Powercab question I'm surprised I've never seen

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Posted by tstage on Sunday, February 24, 2008 4:21 AM

Robert,

From what I remember, you can use the DB3 with other DCC systems.  However, if you use it with the Power Cab, you need to use it in conjunction with the Smart Booster (SB3).  (The DB3 is connected to the 3-port green connector in the back of the SB3.)  Otherwise, you'd probably have competing boosters between the Power Cab and DB3.

Tom

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Posted by CSX Robert on Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:34 PM
 leejax01 wrote:
What is the dummy booster?...


He may have been refering to the NCE DB3 booster. It is a 3 amp booster without the command station capabilities of the SmartBooster, but I don't know if you can use it with the PowerCab if you don't already have a SmartBooster.
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Posted by Vail and Southwestern RR on Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:23 PM
 tstage wrote:

 Vail and Southwestern RR wrote:
as a boster, thugh you won't gain he ability to disconnect the PowerCab, or to add a third (or fourth?) throttle.

Jeff,

You will if you add the Smart Booster.  (Or, were you speaking in reference to another booster, other than the SB3.)

Tom

Right, beyond the sticking O key, I was referring to using a booster other than the Smart Booster, which seemed to be the question. 

Jeff But it's a dry heat!

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:20 PM

 Vail and Southwestern RR wrote:
as a boster, thugh you won't gain he ability to disconnect the PowerCab, or to add a third (or fourth?) throttle.

Jeff,

You will if you add the Smart Booster.  (Or, were you speaking in reference to another booster, other than the SB3.)

Tom

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:12 PM

leejax,

Maybe this will help:

NCE Smart Booster review

Tom

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Posted by Vail and Southwestern RR on Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:09 PM

 leejax01 wrote:
What is the dummy booster? I am looking to upgrade the ampage to my PC and the smart booster costs a little over 100 after the 2 parts are added together. Is there a link or something explaining it in more detail?

I believe it was an attempt at humor!  However, any booster should work, as a booster, though you won't gain he ability to disconnect the PowerCab, or to add a third (or fourth?) throttle.

Jeff But it's a dry heat!

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Posted by leejax01 on Saturday, February 23, 2008 11:04 PM
What is the dummy booster? I am looking to upgrade the ampage to my PC and the smart booster costs a little over 100 after the 2 parts are added together. Is there a link or something explaining it in more detail?
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Posted by Vail and Southwestern RR on Monday, February 4, 2008 3:49 PM
The rating on the power supply may be where it starts to lose regulation, but it may work adequately to a considerably higher amperage.  Ratings are sometimes not what they appear to be.

Jeff But it's a dry heat!

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Posted by CSX Robert on Monday, February 4, 2008 9:36 AM
 steve58 wrote:


The Powercab is marketed as a 2 amp system. I've read other places that refer to it as 1.7 amps. HOWEVER, when you unplug the power supply that comes with it over and take a real close look, it says that it is a 1.1 amp supply!

So I'm assuming that the Powercab cannot magically produce current that isn't there. Bottom line, if you were to replace the power supply with a slightly better one that actually does put out 2 amps, would you end up with the system as advertised?

I'm not sure how important this even is, I've run two trains with a couple more sitting and idling. Never came close to going over an amp. But it would be nice to know I could.



I e-mailed NCE about this, and the response was "We have tested the power supply provided with the Power Cab and note that it will run for hours and hours at near 2 Amps."


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Posted by Bapou on Friday, February 1, 2008 9:24 AM
Or you could use the Dummy Booster it is cheaper.
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Posted by yankee flyer on Thursday, January 31, 2008 5:37 PM

Hello every one

I think the power cab will put out more then it's rated at. I can run two trains with two locos on each with another one idling. Another brand could could'nt start up with two on the track unless I lifted one, this may have been an anomally but Iam satisfied with my power cab. I like the programing screen for setting the CV's

I guess its what you get used to.

Ya'll have a good day

Lee

 

 

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Posted by locoi1sa on Thursday, January 31, 2008 4:34 PM

  Cacole

  Mine says 1.11 amp 15 watts. Thats what it normaly puts out but is able to create 2.0 amps for a short burst. Putting 2 amps through those tiny wires in the cord all the time would be kind of dangerous.

    Pete

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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Thursday, January 31, 2008 4:30 PM
 steve58 wrote:

Yes, they rate it at 1.7. That's the basis of the question. How can it be rated at 1.7, when the power supply that comes with it only puts out 1.1?

I'm pretty sure that at some point I'll be adding the Smart Booster anyway. This just always struck me as odd that it can be rated at a higher output than the input would seem to allow.

Maybe it's 1.7 peak with 1.1 steady/typical?

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

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Posted by steve58 on Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:35 AM
 cacole wrote:

The Smart Booster, rated at 3 Amps, is the NCE recommended way of upgrading the power output of the Power Cab.  They actually rate the basic Power Cab at 1.7 Amps.

http://www.amhobby.com/download/df-powercab-rev-ahd.pdf

 

Yes, they rate it at 1.7. That's the basis of the question. How can it be rated at 1.7, when the power supply that comes with it only puts out 1.1?

I'm pretty sure that at some point I'll be adding the Smart Booster anyway. This just always struck me as odd that it can be rated at a higher output than the input would seem to allow.

**** 'course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong ***********
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Posted by cacole on Thursday, January 31, 2008 8:53 AM

The Smart Booster, rated at 3 Amps, is the NCE recommended way of upgrading the power output of the Power Cab.  They actually rate the basic Power Cab at 1.7 Amps.

http://www.amhobby.com/download/df-powercab-rev-ahd.pdf

 

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A Powercab question I'm surprised I've never seen
Posted by steve58 on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 6:46 PM

The Powercab is marketed as a 2 amp system. I've read other places that refer to it as 1.7 amps. HOWEVER, when you unplug the power supply that comes with it over and take a real close look, it says that it is a 1.1 amp supply!

So I'm assuming that the Powercab cannot magically produce current that isn't there. Bottom line, if you were to replace the power supply with a slightly better one that actually does put out 2 amps, would you end up with the system as advertised?

I'm not sure how important this even is, I've run two trains with a couple more sitting and idling. Never came close to going over an amp. But it would be nice to know I could.

**** 'course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong ***********

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