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 UTP and Digitrax UP5

4001 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Winnipeg Canada
  • 1,637 posts
NCE UTP and Digitrax UP5
Posted by Blind Bruce on Sunday, December 26, 2010 3:53 PM

Will my NCE pro cab work as UTP's with my Digitrax UP5's? I saved them when I sold the Zephyr and bought the NCE. I make my own cables if that may be an issue.

73

Bruce in the Peg

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, December 26, 2010 4:12 PM

If the UP5 is the latest version of the Digitrax product, I don't think the ProCab will work with them.  I think the ProCab would work with the previous product, which I believe was a UP4.

But I'm sure someone will chime in with a more definitive answer.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Sunday, December 26, 2010 6:39 PM

I don't see why not.  The cables for the two systems are the same including the pin outs.  The only thing you can't do is plug in a power supply to the UP panels for boosting the NCE power on the cab bus because the wires carry different signals and voltages.  You also don't want to install the LED's on the panels either. 

Even though the UP5 is newer than the UP4, it has to be compatible with the existing Digitrax system, so it wouldn't be wired different.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, December 26, 2010 7:33 PM

NO the Digitrax UP5 CAN NOT be used with NCE. The NCE panels CAN be used with Digitrax. The UP5 puts a short on pin 2 and 5 of the 6-conductor cable because in Digitrax Loconet, both these pins are the ground. In NCE Cab Bus wiring, one is +12 and the other is Ground.

DO NOT use a UP5 with NCE.

                                    --Randy.

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Winnipeg Canada
  • 1,637 posts
Posted by Blind Bruce on Sunday, December 26, 2010 8:07 PM

For sale, one UP-5. Inquire withinStick out tongue

73

Bruce in the Peg

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: Redding, Connecticut
  • 174 posts
Posted by Espee Black Widow on Sunday, December 26, 2010 8:51 PM

Blind Bruce

For sale, one UP-5. Inquire withinStick out tongue

With minor electrical damage......LOL!! Laugh

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 1,206 posts
Posted by mfm37 on Monday, December 27, 2010 3:45 AM

If the UP5 is the latest version of the Digitrax product, I don't think the ProCab will work with them.  I think the ProCab would work with the previous product, which I believe was a UP4.

 

Previous panel was UP3. It won't work with NCE  for the same reason as the UP5.

Good news is if one switches back to Digitrax, the NCE panels will work.

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!