flyboy,
Make sure you plug your Power Cab into the LEFT connector jack of the PCP panel. (That's the side that's powered.) The RIGHT jack is for an additional throttle.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage Rich, I should have prefaced my earlier statement. Yes, you could get a longer cable for your Power Cab. However, besides the reasons already given by Robert and others, a longer cable would also become a real trip hazard. As far as a 7' cable being a "disadvantage", I look at it from a different perspective. Depending on where you place your PCP panel (the one that comes with the Power Cab), that would give you an overall 14' "swing" - i.e. 7' either way. An additional UTP panel (daisy-chained to the back of the PCP panel) and another cab could be used to fill in the gaps. Or, you would go the "updated" Smart Booster route and increase your total power output (from 1.7A to 5A) and recall stack (from 2 to 6) at the same time. Choices, choices, choices... Tom
Rich,
I should have prefaced my earlier statement. Yes, you could get a longer cable for your Power Cab. However, besides the reasons already given by Robert and others, a longer cable would also become a real trip hazard.
As far as a 7' cable being a "disadvantage", I look at it from a different perspective. Depending on where you place your PCP panel (the one that comes with the Power Cab), that would give you an overall 14' "swing" - i.e. 7' either way. An additional UTP panel (daisy-chained to the back of the PCP panel) and another cab could be used to fill in the gaps.
Or, you would go the "updated" Smart Booster route and increase your total power output (from 1.7A to 5A) and recall stack (from 2 to 6) at the same time.
Choices, choices, choices...
Tom,
I will share the blame.
Instead of asking, wouldn't you be able to replace the 7' cable with a longer one to allow even greater freedom to move around the layout, I should have asked, could you replace the 7' cable with a longer one to allow even greater freedom to move around the layout?
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrainmaxman tstageYou could get a 12' or 40' cable, if you wanted to. Are we sure about this? The PowerCab instructions suggest that the track bus wire should be #18 for runs to 25 feet, and #16 for runs to 50 feet. I don't think the flat wire has that heavy wire gage...or does it? maxman, So, are you saying that 7 feet is it? If true, that would be a real disadvantage for the Power Cab. Rich
maxman tstageYou could get a 12' or 40' cable, if you wanted to. Are we sure about this? The PowerCab instructions suggest that the track bus wire should be #18 for runs to 25 feet, and #16 for runs to 50 feet. I don't think the flat wire has that heavy wire gage...or does it?
tstageYou could get a 12' or 40' cable, if you wanted to.
Are we sure about this? The PowerCab instructions suggest that the track bus wire should be #18 for runs to 25 feet, and #16 for runs to 50 feet. I don't think the flat wire has that heavy wire gage...or does it?
maxman,
So, are you saying that 7 feet is it?
If true, that would be a real disadvantage for the Power Cab.
Why wait? You can run a short run while re-building
Springfield PA
Cooped OK, the Powercab arrived today. Plugged it in and off we go. even programmed a couple of loco numbers and tried changing start voltage. Very happy. Dan
OK, the Powercab arrived today. Plugged it in and off we go. even programmed a couple of loco numbers and tried changing start voltage. Very happy.
Dan
Congrats Dan ... you're way ahead of me ... I still need to get the layout back together ... maybe getting some locos converted and then purchase my own PowerCab.
Jealous,
David Bourne
The cable supplies track power through the Powercab. Adding longer cables will contribute to voltage drop. 12 feet may be OK but 40 would definitely be pushing your luck.
Congrats dan and good luck with it. You'll get use to it quickly. If you wind up with a dcc sound loco it has a method to play the horn/whistle. Also try running in yard mode if switching. The thumb wheel will move the loco in both fwd and reverse without having to hit the direction switch.
Familiarize yourself with the emergency stop function. One push will stop the loco you are addressed for. Hitting it 3 times fast will shut down the track and all loco's.
Yes you would, Rich. You could get a 12' or 40' cable, if you wanted to. Or, you could go with the Smart Booster and a couple of UTP panels, too. Obviously, the ultimate in freedom would be to go wireless.
tstage The command station, booster, and throttle are rolled up into one. So, if you disconnect the Power Cab from your layout, it will shut down the layout. However, it comes with a 7' long cable that allows you some freedom to move around your layout, albeit tethered. Tom
The command station, booster, and throttle are rolled up into one. So, if you disconnect the Power Cab from your layout, it will shut down the layout. However, it comes with a 7' long cable that allows you some freedom to move around your layout, albeit tethered.
Wouldn't you be able to replace the 7' cable with a longer one to allow even greater freedom to move around the layout?
Good for you Dan, welcome to the wonderful world of DCC. I hope you have many years of enjoyment out of the system.
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
Cooped Ok, the Powercab arrived today. Plugged it in and off we go. even programmed a couple of loco numbers and tried changing start voltage. Very happy. Dan
Ok, the Powercab arrived today. Plugged it in and off we go. even programmed a couple of loco numbers and tried changing start voltage. Very happy.
Congratulations. I think you'll be very happy.
Regards
That's the one! Still waiting for delivery, I'll report back when it arrives and how I get on with it.
CoopedApparently NCE and whoever the middle one was were pretty much the same so maybe someone who knows more than me will know who it was.
That would have been Wangrow System One.
I think it's funny to watch these post with several getting defensive of their choice.
There are others that will use a few key words to get things riled up which I find even funnier.
I think you will find that most Digitrax users are not in the least bit defensive that there are groups of happy NCE users. I for one welcome that, as strong competition in the market place does everyone good. If NCE and others were not nipping at the heels of Digitrax there would be no real incentive to continue to develop and improve the system. Does anyone really believe that Digitrax would have bothered to come out with Duplex radio, when the simplex worked so well, if it were not for competitive pressure?
Conversely, do you really think NCE would have come out with the Power Cab, had not Digitrax been so incredibly successful at defining the entry level DCC market with the Zephyr?
Things do get defensive when the old tired mantras are trotted out that are in direct contrast to the Digitrax users own experience. That is when you will read and hear howls of protest.
Ok, the deed is done. He didn't have any powercabs in stock, just a power pro so he's ordered it for me. I could have ordered it online for maybe $20 or $30 less, but I figured this guy could be a good resource for me in the future so gave him the sale. Strange, he's literally 5 minutes drive from me and I never knew he was there!
He also only carries one brand, gave me a story of starting with Digitrax, then going to something I'd never heard of and can't remember what he said, then went to NCE when the guy who ran the middle one died. Apparently NCE and whoever the middle one was were pretty much the same so maybe someone who knows more than me will know who it was.
maxman simon1966To me the NCE crowd assumed the role of the smarmy Apple commercial guy, happy to knock the "Big Dog" at any and every opportunity. Hmmmmmmm, interesting that you should say this. My recent perception is that the Digitrax owners seem to get very defensive when any comparisons are made. But then I'm surrounded by a bunch of happy NCE users. Must be the environment.
simon1966To me the NCE crowd assumed the role of the smarmy Apple commercial guy, happy to knock the "Big Dog" at any and every opportunity.
Hmmmmmmm, interesting that you should say this. My recent perception is that the Digitrax owners seem to get very defensive when any comparisons are made. But then I'm surrounded by a bunch of happy NCE users. Must be the environment.
That's about right on, considering most of the things Apple says about PCs are utterly untrue
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
CoopedI still can't pursuade myself to look further into Digitrax. The fact still remains to get what I want I would have to pay more for the starter for the Zephyr and a handheld control.
Dan, that is just fine, the basic configuration does not meet your particular needs and you don't perceive any value in spending a bit more to get the dual throttle. The process of research and elimination is working for you. It is not the decision I would have made, but our needs are not the same. I know which I would choose of the 2 systems remaining on your list, and frankly I am pleased to hear that you are going to see a DCC dealer that carries more than just the MRC system. BTW, do the Digitrax guy a favor and tell him to list the Z on E-bay, he will sell it in a heartbeat, they don't last long in that environment, of course if he wants the $199 list price, he will have a hard time selling it. There are many web places to get it for a lot less than that.
Thanks everyone. Randy, that's a fantastic suggestion to use the switch to toggle between DC and DCC, I'll do that.
I was thinking about PC connectivity. I had gone off the MRC product as I'd heard it had no connectivity at all. Then I found it was capable with their own proprietry software.
I did find it hard to choose between MRC and NCE and was fully prepared to buy the powercab if I found it on my travels yesterday. I was eventually persuaded to the MRC by the hobby store guy and the discounts available right now for the Advance2 system. I'm now re-thinking this. I've found another hobby store through the NCE website that is local to me so I'm going to take a trip there this afternoon.
It's kind of hard to tell what's opinion and hearsay and what's fact when researching all this. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's finding the more I read and hear the more confused I get! I still can't pursuade myself to look further into Digitrax. The fact still remains to get what I want I would have to pay more for the starter for the Zephyr and a handheld control.
If this guy has the NCE Powercab this afternoon I will probably buy it from him. Otherwise I'll probably order online.
Thanks again.
yankee flyerI think the controversy between NCE and Digitraxx hinge's on what you get used to and past experience. I had a Zephyr and it was a disaster.After sending it back for the fourth time I ask and received my money back. I plugged in my Power Cab and never looked back.
I agree, just like you there are others that have sent back Power Cabs and gone to Digitrax, these are all small companies and not everything is perfect the first time. In the case of my friend they gave up waiting for a booster that would work with an auto-reverser. This is now fixed by NCE with the latest booster, but took rather a long time, or at least too long for my friend.
But truthfully I think that the real root of the controversy stems from the fact that the Digitrax system fairly quickly became the dominant DCC system in the USA. The mantra of "Buy Digitrax, everyone else does" was very common indeed. NCE in the mean time, builds an excellent device that most certainly was, and some would say still is, easier to use, and for sure had better documentation.
To me the NCE crowd assumed the role of the smarmy Apple commercial guy, happy to knock the "Big Dog" at any and every opportunity. You know the mantra......"Need to be an engineer to use, .....have to use single handed as the other hand is holding the manual..... is it really wireless when you have to plug in to acquire a locomotive.......etc....etc...."
The thing is, that this stuff was right to a degree, but in most cases is rooted in the past rather than in the current state of things. Both NCE and Digitrax and constantly evolving, developing new product and enhancing older products, like improving documentation for example.
Digitrax has a much broader DCC product range, that is able to provide more comprehensive solutions and complex systems. NCE is working hard to catch up expanding its line of DCC add-ons and accessories. Each of these manufacturers works hard to provide a quality product and both support their products well. We are really very fortunate to have 2 domestic manufacturers dedicated to the market to this degree.
In then end, each of us make a choice based on personal wants and needs. Opinions and hearsay based on an old outdated mantra, don't do anyone any good. I think it is best to deal in facts, and by gaining a good understanding of what these potentially complex system can do for you and honing in on the features that best meet your needs.
dsabourneAs you can see on my posts ... I'm leaning towards a NCE PowerCab. David
As you can see on my posts ... I'm leaning towards a NCE PowerCab.
David
I think the controversy between NCE and Digitraxx hinge's on what you get used to and past experience. I had a Zephyr and it was a disaster.After sending it back for the fourth time I ask and received my money back. I plugged in my Power Cab and never looked back. The first Zephyr smoked, second one worked a while and quit, third was erratic. I use Power Cab with Decoder Pro and if I want to program a loco I flip a switch that directs tower to a test track and not to the main track.
I like the programing on the Power Cab for quick change's.
My thoughts.
Lee
Dan,
Looking at just two dealers(one with a Digitrax Zephyr who is clueless, and a second one who is pushing just MRC) sends up red flags to me.
First, you need to understand what DCC can do, and what you want out of DCC. As much as you are thinking 'simple' and 'ease of use' - You need to find out what you really want to do with DCC. I have used just about every DCC system available(except for some of the exotic European stuff like Zimo).
MRC - Basic system, Very nice throttles. They lack a JMRI interface to a home computer. You may not think this is important right now, but programming anything other than the basic engine address is best done via a computer. MRC has a proprietary interface that only works with their software to their decoders(some of the worst failure rates out of the box).
Digitrax - The 'Big Dog'. Expandable systems, lots of stuff will work with their system The 'cons' are the original manuals and the old DT100/DT300 throttles. To many button sequences to push. The DT400 series throttles are very good to use.
NCE - Another super system with lots of expansion, and really great throttles. Full JMRI support to a home computer.
Lenz - Good H/W, but somewhat 'dated' systems at this point. JMRI capable as well. They started the DCC revolution.
Easy DCC - A sort of 'DIY' kit system that is good, but again is somewhat 'dated' at this point. JMRI computer capable.
Bachmann - EZ Command & Dynamis. EZ Command will run a DCC engine as long as the address is a single digit, and there is no programming capabilities for Configuration Variables - No computer interface. The Dynamis is a little more high end - I have never used one.
Note that I have made a big point about a computer interface. I have lost track of how many time folks have told me that they really have no interest/need to hook a computer up to their trains. Without fail, the same folks tell me 6 months later that they want to know how to hook up a computer. Once they have seen JMRI/Decoder Pro used to 'program' an engine vs pushing buttons on their throttle - They are sold. Both the NCE 'Power Cab' system and the Digitrax 'Zephyr' system are expandable and can be hooked up to a home computer running JMRI(which is FREE).
Most LHS's I have been in have been pretty clueless about the DCC they are selling. Our LHS had some Digitrax stuff and I helped them set up a demo test track and within 2 months they were actually selling at least one Digitrax system every week. Caboose Hobbies in Denver has a sample of several systems/throttles with some sales folks who can actually demonstrate the product. Talk to some other local modelers about what they use if there really is no LHS support in your area. I would not want you to spend over $200 on a 'dead-end' system.
I have a Digitrax system - and love it. One of my best friends has a NCE system. We had a layout hop/tour Friday evening/Saturday morning - 7 layouts:
4 Digitrax
1 NCE
2 DC
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Dan: