Hello,
I did some searching but didnt' find anything that could give me some basic info. I have the NCE PowerCab 2 amp system. For right now I only have 3 loco's so we are ok.
My first question is about the # of loco's. I started with two Fox Valley ES44AC's (GEVO's). These run great. When I put them to speed step 128, I usually ran them at speed 20. Now, I just added a Kato (GEVO) to the layout. This would be the third Loco. After i added the loco, I notice when I put the two (2) Fox Valley loco's in a consist that I have to apply much more speed to get them to get to the speed they were before. I have to put them to about speed setting 60 instead of the 20 I was using before. Now, is this normal, it might be. I'm guessing I have to apply more throttle because the third loco is taking more amps away. Please let me know. When I clear the consist, they run fine separate on speed 20.
My second question is about the 5 amp booster. Does this come with a power pack, or do I need to buy that separate.
Thank You,
Mike
mjmueller Hello, I did some searching but didnt' find anything that could give me some basic info. I have the NCE PowerCab 2 amp system. For right now I only have 3 loco's so we are ok. My first question is about the # of loco's. I started with two Fox Valley ES44AC's (GEVO's). These run great. When I put them to speed step 128, I usually ran them at speed 20. Now, I just added a Kato (GEVO) to the layout. This would be the third Loco. After i added the loco, I notice when I put the two (2) Fox Valley loco's in a consist that I have to apply much more speed to get them to get to the speed they were before. I have to put them to about speed setting 60 instead of the 20 I was using before. Now, is this normal, it might be. I'm guessing I have to apply more throttle because the third loco is taking more amps away. Please let me know. When I clear the consist, they run fine separate on speed 20.
Mike, did you speed match all your ES44AC's. Do you know if each runs at the same speed individually? The Kato GEVOs might have different gearing than the FV GEVOs.
My second question is about the 5 amp booster. Does this come with a power pack, or do I need to buy that separate. Thank You, Mike
The Smart Booster (SB3a) does NOT come with a 5A wall transformer so, yes - you'd need to purchase one. (NCE P515 is one. Magna Force MF615 is another. Either one will work.)
If you want to read up on the SB3a and what it does, Mike, click on my web site link below and click on the Reviews link on the left side of the home page. The SB3 review will have the bulk of the features listed and the SB3a review what has been added/improved with the update.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Hi Tstage,
Thank you for the reply. My question really isn't about the speed matching.....The Kato runs much faster than the FVM's, but that's not my problem, I can always CV the difference.
My question was kind of confusing. What really happend was once I added the third loco (Kato Gevo), the speeds seemed to be harder on the FVM's. With throttle at 20 before 3'rd loco, they ran fast, now I have to crank it up to like 60 to get same speeds. Is this normal?
mj
It sounds to me like you've overcome the capacity of your system.I don't know the current draws of your locos but I'd guess that they are pretty much loading your 2 amps. capacity.Since you say that two run nice,that's my feeling.I'd try one FVM and the Kato and see if the FVM still runs OK,if it does this is your problem.
When I clear the consist & run all 3 loco's separate they run fine on speed 20. Just wondering if the consist does something.
Mike,
Your Power Cab has a built-in amp meter, which should be accessible via programming mode. (I don't remember the sequence right off hand but it should be your Power Cab manual.) If all three locomotives have sound and each locomotive pulls ~1/2 amp then that's 1.5A and you're approaching the 1.7A output of the Power Cab. The consist shouldn't matter.
Try the amp meter option on the Power Cab and see what kind of current draw all three locomotive have while you are running them at the same time.
mjmueller ...I notice when I put the two (2) Fox Valley loco's in a consist that I have to apply much more speed to get them to get to the speed they were before. I have to put them to about speed setting 60 instead of the 20 I was using before...
...I notice when I put the two (2) Fox Valley loco's in a consist that I have to apply much more speed to get them to get to the speed they were before. I have to put them to about speed setting 60 instead of the 20 I was using before...
You're using Digitrax decoders, aren't you? The default setting for Digitrax decoders has Bemf compensation enable when not in an advanced consist, but disables it when in an advanced consist. The quick answer is to program CV57 to 102 to enable bemf compensation whether running in an advanced consist or not, or program CV57 to always disable bemf compensation. For more information, read the Scaleable Speed Stabilization section of the Digitrax Decoder Manual.
When you set up the consist do not couple the loco's. Separate them by about a foot and run them in consist. Maybe one isn't responding to the consist and is being dragged by the other.
Springfield PA
mjmuelle
Ham Blue is right. The Power Cab shouldn't even break a sweat with just three locos unless they are old clunkers. Most likely one loco is dragging the other.
Good luck
Lee
CSX Robert,
YOU ARE THE MAN!! I changed the CV57 to 102 and all is perfect!!
Thanks so much