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NCE Powercab panel track bus connector missing; what to do?

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  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, January 3, 2021 3:35 PM

For whom ever else needs to know in the future:

SKU 5240411

https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/2-pin-connector-plug-p44084358

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 1:42 PM

bnsf1997
Problem resolved.

That is good news.

If I did not say it before...

Welcome to the Model Railroader discussion forums.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by bnsf1997 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 1:31 PM

Update: Seller was a stand-up person and after searching for the piece, ended up ordering me one and shipping it to me. Never hurts to ask. Thanks all for the help! Problem resolved.

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Posted by bnsf1997 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 1:29 PM

rrinker

 It's the right part.

There's no harm using a short piece of thinner wire. The loss over a short distance is meaningless. ANd sonsidering the maximum current capacity of the PowerCab, #14 is probably overkill for the layout bus unless you are planning for future expansion and adding additional boosters. The voltage drop in the wire is proportional to the current - you don't calculate the drop based on a 5 amp current draw when your source can only supply about 1.7 amps. 

                                       --Randy

 

 

 

Randy thanks for the information. Maybe I'll just go with a 16awg bus then.

 

Cheers,

 

Ben

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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, January 3, 2021 1:26 PM

 It's the right part.

There's no harm using a short piece of thinner wire. The loss over a short distance is meaningless. ANd sonsidering the maximum current capacity of the PowerCab, #14 is probably overkill for the layout bus unless you are planning for future expansion and adding additional boosters. The voltage drop in the wire is proportional to the current - you don't calculate the drop based on a 5 amp current draw when your source can only supply about 1.7 amps. 

                                       --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, January 3, 2021 12:41 PM

Trying to get 14awg in it will damage it. I ran a very short 20cm 16awg to a terminal block that went to 12awg.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by bnsf1997 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 11:59 AM

BigDaddy

edit The OP is descibing the green female socket terminal block that goes in the back of the PCP.  It's a standard part but I think it comes in different sizes or at least different shapes for the female part.  To save hassle, I would pay more to get the right thing the first time around from one of the DCC stores

 

It's worth a shot to see if the seller would send you that piece.  The lokprogrammer has the same connector. 

The above pic is from the NCE online store, $1.95   It's not the back of the PCP, but it's the connector NCE uses.  Tony's sells the same part. 

 

[quote user="BigDaddy"]

 

Henry could you share the part number you found please? I did a search on NCE website for screw terminal and socket terminal block but nothing came up. Much appreciated.

 

EDIT: Nevermind, I finally found it. If it is in fact an identical part to the original, digikey states it is used for 16-28awg. Have any of you used 14awg with this? I would hate to have to have a small section of 16 coming from my track bus but I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world either.

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Posted by bnsf1997 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 11:51 AM

Thanks all for the welcome. I used to be on these forums back 2002-2008ish, created a new account in 2010 but started N scale modeling in 2014 so I went to Nscale.net forums for the last 6 years. Back in HO and back here now.

 

Yes Henry that is exactly the part (or appears to be, as you said, could be different size)! I have reached out to both Tony's and the seller for assistance. I'll contact NCE next.

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, January 3, 2021 11:37 AM

edit The OP is descibing the green female socket terminal block that goes in the back of the PCP.  It's a standard part but I think it comes in different sizes or at least different shapes for the female part.  To save hassle, I would pay more to get the right thing the first time around from one of the DCC stores

 

It's worth a shot to see if the seller would send you that piece.  The lokprogrammer has the same connector. 

The above pic is from the NCE online store, $1.95   It's not the back of the PCP, but it's the connector NCE uses.  Tony's sells the same part. 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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    February 2018
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Posted by York1 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 11:35 AM

bnsf1997
it's just the adapter connector I need.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to pay $20 for that.

As was suggested, talk to the seller first.  Then I'd call NCE.  They have always been very helpful.

As a last resort, I wonder if you could rig up some small connector.  AWG 14 is not that thick, maybe it's possible to just get those wires into the sockets on the back of the unit.

Good luck!

 

By the way... welcome to the forum!  Check back and let us know how it goes!

York1 John       

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, January 3, 2021 11:34 AM

Might be a long shot and I know the piece you are talking about. I wonder if it is just a standard plug you could get at any online electronic store like Digi-Key or somewhere.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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    November 2010
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Posted by bnsf1997 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 11:31 AM

 Thanks for checking! That part is the whole panel, which I have, it's just the adapter connector I need. Although, if that whole panel comes with that connector adapter, then it would be worth it to just buy the whole thing, but the photo they use doesn't show the connector I'm looking for. I'll have to reach out to them perhaps. I'll try the seller too, you never know I guess! Here's a photo (encircled in yellow) o the piece I'm talking about.

 

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Posted by cowman on Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:46 AM

Just checked Tonys Trains site.  It appears to be an NCE 5240222 is what you are missing, just over $22.

I would email them, state your problem to be sure it is the correct part.  I have always had very good luck dealiing with them.

Good luck,

Richard

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  • From: Central Vermont
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Posted by cowman on Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:34 AM

Welcome to the forums.

I take it you don't have the original box.  On the back it shows the bus wires connected to a PCP panel.  Since it mounts to the facia, it could be that the original owner forgot to take it off and include it in what you purchased.  

Can you contact the seller?  If they haven't discarded the unit, maybe they can send it to you.  If i is not avaiable a dearler, such as Tony's Trains probably carries them.

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • 13 posts
NCE Powercab panel track bus connector missing; what to do?
Posted by bnsf1997 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 10:15 AM

Hi folks,

Recently purchased a 2nd-hand NCE powercab, and starting to regret it. As far as I can tell everything came in the package except the track bus "connector" for the track bus to the panel. I looked in the manual and I don't see a label anywhere for what this piece is actually called, but it is the small box with 2 screws to screw in your track bus wires, and then that box snaps into the track 'port' on the panel itself. Hopefully you're following along and know what I'm referring to.. Does anyone know what that connector piece with the screws is named? Does NCE sell that piece? I did a quick look on their webpage but didn't see anything that stuck out to me. Any suggestions for joining my 14 awg track bus to the panel if I can't find this piece?

 

Thanks!

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