DeadheadGregsee, thats what I was thinking, except they make it seem like the Power Cab command station is built right into the cab, and that you only need the power supply as the outboard gear. Am I wrong?
see, thats what I was thinking, except they make it seem like the Power Cab command station is built right into the cab, and that you only need the power supply as the outboard gear. Am I wrong?
No, you are not wrong. With the Powercab system, the command station is built into the throttle. It also acts as the power supply. With NCE, you need a command station. This can be either the CS-02 or the Powercab. You also need a way to power the layout. This can be either the Powercab or a booster and power supply.
Then you need a throttle. If you are using the CS-02, this can be one of several options. These options include the following, ProCab, Cab04, Cab05, and the Powercab (if one is plugged into a system with the CS-02 present, it acts as a ProCab). If you want to be able to alter CV settings, you will need the ProCab or the Powercab. If you are using the Powercab starter set, you already have a throttle, but you could add one more, such as the Cab04e. The Powercab needs to remain plugged in during operation unless you are using the Smart Booster.
As far as I know, there is no way to build a working NCE system without either the CS-02 or the Powercab.
I hope this helps.
Vernon in Central Indiana
I don't know what you mean by needing the "power supply as the outboard gear". If you buy the powercab set, it includes the power supply, connecting cables to the cab, the cab, and the panel UTP. If you are happy with this set except for the cab, just buy an additional cab of your choice (the 04E0) and plug it into the extra socket next to where the power cab plugs into the panel. You will have to keep the powercab plugged in, but you don't have to use it.
Yes, the brains of the command station is built into the powercab. When you buy the regular system command station, this has the brains installed there in addition to a 5 amp booster.
Note that if you go the do it yourself path as you described, you will still need to buy the ProCab. This is because any programming is done with the Procab...the 04E does not have this capability.
You could buy the power pro cab, that has power supply incl. and use the Cab04 as a secondary control cab. The down side is that you only have 1.5 amps available unless you add a power booster. Then you could use the Power Pro as the command station, tethered at one location and use the Cab04 as a walkaround throttle with multiple plug in ports. All CV programming would be done with the Power pro cab. If you want to use both cabs as walk around throttles, then you need to get the Smart Booster SB05 and a separate 5 amp power supply. (this is the set up I have now, except I have a Cab05e instead of the 04). The plus side of this for me was that I could get the separate elements for a 5 amp system in easily affordable bites... $140 for the Power Pro set, (Christmas last year,) $75 for the Smart Booster,(Birthday in May) $75 for the Cab05e ( Fathers day). Probably worked out the same as buying a 5 amp System, (price-wise) but I think I am ahead by 1 throttle. (and I want to keep on believing that ;-) ) Just another way to skin the cat...
Earl
I once caught a train in my pajama's. How it got in my pajama's I'll never know... (sorry, Groucho)
DeadheadGregSo, I like the Cab04e way better than the PowerCab throttle/cab. But with the PowerCab system, you dont need a booster or anything, and you get a power supply. Basically, I want to build my own DCC starter kit, using the Cab04e. What else do I need? I know I need the tethered cord, and phone jack panel things. But what about a booster/command station and power supply? thanks guys.
So, I like the Cab04e way better than the PowerCab throttle/cab. But with the PowerCab system, you dont need a booster or anything, and you get a power supply.
Basically, I want to build my own DCC starter kit, using the Cab04e. What else do I need? I know I need the tethered cord, and phone jack panel things. But what about a booster/command station and power supply?
thanks guys.
You could purchase the CS-02 (command station) and PB-105 (5 amp booster) along with the CAB04e, power supply and various other bits. Just the first two items have a combined MSRP of $400.00 and can be found for $300.00 with some shopping. Those prices do not include the power supply, panel, or the throttle.
Your most economical path to an NCE system with the CAB04e would be to purchase the Powercab starter set and add the CAB04e, MSRP $420.00 or $248.00 with some shopping. These prices include everything you would need including the power supply.
From a purely financial point of view, it would make more sense to go with the Powercab. From an operational point of view, you would be fairly limited with only the CAB04e. You would not be able to alter any of the decoder CVs for one thing.
Vernon