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.
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
nevermind, I see my typo
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
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....
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
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
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.
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 panel2. NCE Powercab connection panel power supply3. Track power connector from the connection panelIf I plug the Procab into all of this, will it work?
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.