Hello.
My club uses an NCE DCC system. I would like to get just the handheld wirless cab without buying the entire system. Is this possible? If so, the best place to get it?
-Ron
Yes.
Try one of the several excellent on-line web dealers. http://www.litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/index.htm
or http://www.tonystrains.com/ would be two places I would look.
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
Another option is to buy a Power Cab and convert it to radio. This will give you a system at home that would still be wired to a track and a wireless procab at the club. Litchfield station does the conversion.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Ron,
I really like Pete's idea. With the Power Cab being the command station, booster, and throttle all rolled up into one, you could do your own locomotive programming and/or CV changes at home then bring the Power Cab with you to the club layout as your extra throttle.
The PCP panel, wall transformer, and 7' cable already come with the Power Cab. The only thing left to do would be to have it converted to radio. The cost of a Power Cab at discount is $140-150. I don't know how much it would be for the conversion.
Granted, it's a little more expensive option for you than just buying a radio throttle. However, I think the benefits are huge going with a converted Power Cab for the reasons mentioned above.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Tom, if you convert the Power Cab throttle to Radio and still use it as a PowerCab? When in Power Cab mode, the throttle has to be kept plugged in the entire time as the track power is coming from the Power Cab. It is clear that a regular cab can be upgraded, just not so clear if a PowerCab can be, and still do double duty as a Powercab.
To be honest, Simon, I don't know for sure. What I do know is that, when the Power Cab is used with the PH Pro, it automatically converts to a ProCab throttle. That would be a good question to confirm or deny with either Larry @ NCE or Bruce Petrarca at Litchfield Station.
Tell you what, I'll send Larry an e-mail right now and get back to you all on this.
[Edit: I also posted the question on the Yahoo! - NCE-DCC forum.]
Simon and others;
Okay, here's my question posed to Larry Larsen @ NCE and his response:
Good morning, Larry!Quick question for you. Someone mentioned to me recently on the MR Forum that a Power Cab can be converted to radio. If that is the case, could the Power Cab still be used for programming, if tethered again to a PCP panel.Thanks for the help.Most sincerely,Tom
Yes, the Power Cab can be fitted with radio. This of course will only work when used with a system set up for radio like at the club or another person's house. Yes, it can still be used as a traditional Power Cab for programming and running trains. The cost for the radio install is $89.95 and can only be done here at the factory. Larry LarsenNCE Customer Service
And here's two responses that I received on the Yahoo! NCE-DCC forum:
Tom, The PowerCab can be converted to radio, but it will only work as a radio cab when used with a PowerPro system, or when used as the second cab on a PowerCab system. When plugged into a PCP it reverts to being a PowerCab and can be used to program on the programming track, or on the main. Works fine. I converted mine to radio to use as an extra cab on the layout most of the time and have the PCP connected to a programming track on the workbench.Regards,Graeme
Works fine. I converted mine to radio to use as an extra cab on the layout most of the time and have the PCP connected to a programming track on the workbench.
Regards,
Graeme
Tom, A PowerCab converted to radio only is radio capable _ONLY_ when operating as a ProCab. This means that to use the radio capability you need to have a PowerPro system with a RB01 or 2, or you need a SB3 with a RB01 or 2. When tethered into the PCP panel the radio equipped PowerCab will function as a PowerCab only, no radio capability. It will be fully functional as a PowerCab, so yes it can still be used for a separate programming station when tethered. I hope this helps, Mark Schutzer
That pretty much confirms what Larry said above.
Excellent Tom, that is a very nice feature.