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 Procab wiring

4169 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2019
  • 1 posts
NCE Procab wiring
Posted by Austyon on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 12:12 AM

 

Hello,
I recently got an NCE Procab, but it didn't come with anything but the handheld. I'd like to use it on my layout without buying a Powercab so I think I may have found a solution.

1. NCE Powercab connection panel
2. NCE Powercab connection panel power supply
3. Track power connector from the connection panel

If I plug the Procab into all of this, will it work?
  Edit/Delete Message Reply With Quote Multi-Quote This Message Quick reply to this message
 
Tags: DCC , HO , NCE , PowerCab , procab
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Morristown, NJ
  • 798 posts
Posted by nealknows on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 1:02 PM

It sounds like you have the NCE power supply and NCE PCP power panel. Do you have the NCE Power Cab? If not, the Pro Cab will not work. You need a Power cab plugged into the left side of the front of the PCP panel. Then you can plug the Pro Cab into the right side of the front of the PCP panel. 

You have this...

https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/PCP-Power-Cab-Connection-Panel-p38322159

And this...

https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/P114-Now-with-24-Watts-13-8v-DC-Power-Supply-for-Power-Cab-p38322158

Now you need the Power Cab, which, to my knowlwdge you can't buy separately from NCE. 

You may want to reach out to them when they open after the first of the year to see if they can help you...

Neal

sol
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 34 posts
Posted by sol on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 3:55 PM
And I also suggest reading a manual - found here https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201565799-Power-Cab-Manuals
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,676 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 4:04 PM

Austyon

 

Hello,
I recently got an NCE Procab, but it didn't come with anything but the handheld. I'd like to use it on my layout without buying a Powercab so I think I may have found a solution.

1. NCE Powercab connection panel
2. NCE Powercab connection panel power supply
3. Track power connector from the connection panel

If I plug the Procab into all of this, will it work?
  Edit/Delete Message Reply With Quote Multi-Quote This Message Quick reply to this message
 
 

If all you have is the ProCab, then you need a command station of some sort.

Those other items on your list are included with the PowerCab system, including the PowerCab.  The PowerCab acts as the command station.  The PowerCab gets plugged into one side of what you are calling the connection panel.  If you wish to use the ProCab, it would get plugged into the other port on the connection panel.  However, if you disconnect the PowerCab you lose both the power supply and command station functions.

Did you get the ProCab yourself or was it a gift?  If you have a small railroad or only a couple locos, maybe you can return the ProCab and trade for the PowerCab.  Unless you want the second throttle.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,676 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 4:05 PM

nealknows

It sounds like you have the NCE power supply and NCE PCP power panel. Do you have the NCE Power Cab? If not, the Pro Cab will not work. You need a Power cab plugged into the left side of the front of the PCP panel. Then you can plug the Pro Cab into the right side of the front of the PCP panel. 

You have this...

https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/PCP-Power-Cab-Connection-Panel-p38322159

And this...

https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/P114-Now-with-24-Watts-13-8v-DC-Power-Supply-for-Power-Cab-p38322158

Now you need the Power Cab, which, to my knowlwdge you can't buy separately from NCE. 

You may want to reach out to them when they open after the first of the year to see if they can help you...

Neal

 

The PowerCab includes those items.  I think you can purchase the PowerCab by itself, but it would probably cost more than the package price.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 7:01 PM

Welcome to the forum.  There is a delay in your initial posts as you will be moderated for the first handful of posts.

Don't feel bad.  I have a Powercab, but I always assumed the Procab throttle just had a different label on it.  Evidently the internal guts are different.

You didn't say how you acquired the Procab, but if your layout is more appropriate to a Powercab, sell Powercab  Procab, or, keep it as a seconday throttle, if the price was right, and get a Powercab

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Morristown, NJ
  • 798 posts
Posted by nealknows on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 7:16 PM

Henry,

He has a Pro Cab, not a Power Cab. Either he gets a Power Cab somehow since it's not sold separately or he can buy a smart booster so that he can use his Pro Cab since the smart booster becomes the brains....

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 7:32 PM

nevermind, I see my typo

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,016 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 7:48 PM

I blame NCE for the confusion. I have the 5 amp Power House Pro (PH-Pro) which NCE refers to as the "starter system". Then NCE came out with a 2 amp system which actually is a starter system and called it the Power Cab, not to be confused with the PH-Pro throttle called the Pro Cab. Go figure.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 27, 2019 4:31 PM

 They ALL do this (all DCC manufacturers). By "starter system" they do not mean "lower end system for the beginner" but "complete package to get started"

The PowerCab is a starter systrem. The PH-Pro sytem is a starter system. The full featured cab has always been called the ProCab since early NCE days.

 The Digitrax Zephyr Express is a starter system. The Digitrax Evo Advanced is a started system, the Eco Advanced Duplex is a starter system.

 MRC Prodigy Express is a starter system. Prodigy Advanced Squared is a starter system.

 Etc.

FOr whatever reason, though NCE now supplies a power supply with the new boosters, the PH-Pro starter system still requires a power supply to be complete. All the rest include everything you need to connect it up and start running trains.

                                     --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

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!