I am a retired electronics technician and also have an NCE Power Pro. I modified mine by adding an extra bulb and switch per the article and it works great.
If you are familiar with electronics and doing circuit work, go for it. Otherwise I would get either a programming track booster or an NCE power Cab system. The Power Cab can read sound decoders without any modifications, plus you will have an extra throttle that will work with your Power Pro.
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.
The second one is the one I was referring to.
I still can't believe they use a pair of light bulbs as the current limiter for the program track. Guess it works, but wow.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy, might you be thinking of these: http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/sound_cvs_pt.htm and
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn1/NCE_prog_mod.htm ?
It is, but I can;t find where it was I came across it, since I use Digitrax it was only of passing intereste to me and I didn;t save it. I believe it was on one of the Yahoo groups, either the NCE one or one of the sound ones. The basic concept is that since a light bulb is used to limit program track current, another cna be installed to increase the allowable limit.
Randy, is that mod info posted anywhere?
Hal
There's actually a way to modify the Power Pro command station so that it doesn't need a program track booster, however generally it seems the Soundtraxx one is best.
This fellow is heavy into using NCE and JMRI/decoder pro for this. As usual, there is a leaning curve.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/dcc_articles.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Hello;
I have an NCE Power Pro and i would like to be able to read my sound decoder equipped engines. I know I need a booster but I am looking for recommendations. Which would be easiest to install and have the ability to read all brands, though I'm particularly interested in Tsunami reading. Also compatibility with NCE.
Thanks in advance,
Mark