I’ve settled on a NCE Powercab System for my layout. It’s a 5x10 island with an L staging yard. I plan on purchasing a couple of circuit breakers. Im interested to know what else I need to purchas in regards to electronics to support it. I plan on using tortoise switch motors and frog juicers where needed. I have only ever used DC, so I want to make sure I do it right and don’t screw up my locos or cab. I already did my research on DCC decoders and such. Just want some input from the experts. thank you in advance.
Charles Nelson
Charles,
Will you be the only one operating your layout? Even though mine was only a 4 x 8, I chose to mount a couple of UTP panels so that I could plug and unplug additional throttles around the layout.
The Power Cab will need to remain plugged into the LEFT port of the PCP panel because it supplies the power to the track. (If you disconnect it, your layout will shut down.) You can daisy-chain UTP panels from the back of the PCP panel if you plan to use an extra throttle(s). The 5A Smart Booster can be added at a later time and would allow you to move your Power Cab throttle from UTP panel-to-UTP panel.
What did you decide on decoder, if I might ask?
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The NCE Power Cab is a 3 amp DCC system, but NCE cautions against running 3 amps continuously for the Power Cab. NCE says that it will overheat, deforming the Power Cab shell due to the high heat build up.
For that reason, NCE recommends using multiple circuit breakers with each set to trip current at 2 amps to protect the Power Cab. NCE suggests adding the SB5 Smart Booster to the Power Cab to increase the number of amps.
With all that said, and with your desire to add circuit breaker protection to your layout, why not just purchase the NCE 5 amp Power House Pro? That way, you begin with a 5 amp booster and the ability to set the trip current higher on your circuit breakers.
Rich
Alton Junction
When you say NEED is that an absolute or is it what most of us perceive as need? Anything and Everything I can afford
Basic stuff
Buss Wire
Feeder Wire
Lighting Wire
Lighting power supply
switch machine Power supply
Atlas snap switches and relays or Tortise or other Switch machine
LED's
Momentary or Other switches depending on the machines
OTHER Electrical stuff
Building, Street, yard and signal lights
Crossing gates
Moving advertisement billboards
That 5A booster Rich suggested
Whats that thing called I bought to read CV's
Resistors for the LED's you may install on your control panel, building lights, Yard lights etc.
A surge protector
Gimmy a minute I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
Gary
Auto Reverser
The normal procedure with Tortoise machines is to use a set of the built-in contacts to power the frog, so you won't need a frog juicer on any turnout that is driven by a Tortoise.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
tstage Charles, Will you be the only one operating your layout? Even though mine was only a 4 x 8, I chose to mount a couple of UTP panels so that I could plug and unplug additional throttles around the layout. The Power Cab will need to remain plugged into the LEFT port of the PCP panel because it supplies the power to the track. (If you disconnect it, your layout will shut down.) You can daisy-chain UTP panels from the back of the PCP panel if you plan to use an extra throttle(s). The 5A Smart Booster can be added at a later time and would allow you to move your Power Cab throttle from UTP panel-to-UTP panel. What did you decide on decoder, if I might ask? Tom
Tom,
It would be me and maybe one other person (don't have a lot of model railroading friends). I may go with the 5amp Booster like you and others have suggested, then.
As far as decoders, that's a mixup at the moment. I bought a Bachmann DCC "trainset" that came with a 2-6-0 Mogul with sound, a while back. So far, it's still working. My Jeep 7 has a NCE decoder in it, but no sound, so I plan to "upgrade" because I really want sound in my engines. The rest of my engines do not have decoders yet. Not sure what I'm going to go with yet, I just want sound. I'm just wrapping up my benchwork though, so I want to get some of the electronics so I can decide where I'm going to mount and wire things.