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 Power Cab

2084 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, June 19, 2023 7:47 PM

Our electric guru Randy Rinker recommend surge protection.  I don't see the point in leaving the Power Cab plugged in for hours but not running.

A Power Cab doesn't shut down permanently when there is a short.  It tries to restart.  If you have a derailment, and you are upstairs fixing adult beverages, things might get quite hot downstairs.

My train room outlets are controled by a single switch.  If I turn the switch off, everything is electrically dead.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, June 19, 2023 4:45 PM

Or, better yet - a power strip with surge protection.  A transformer that blew near my home a few years back completely took out the surge protector that my Power Cab was plugged into with a current spike.  Thankfully, the Power Cab (and any locomotives/decoders sitting on the track) were unscathed.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Monday, June 19, 2023 4:21 PM

gregc
unplugging the PowerCab disconnects the wall wart from the layout.   yes the wall wart remains plugged into the wall

Well, yes and no.  The wall wart is not connected directly to the PowerCab.  However, it is connected to the PowerCab panel.  In my opinion it would not be good practice to leave the wall wart left unattended for extended periods in that manner.  Much better to either unplug it from the wall or have it plugged into a power strip that can be switched off.

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Monday, June 19, 2023 3:24 PM

maxman
know unplugging the wall wart disconnects it from the PowerCab.

gregc
 unplugging it breaks the connection between the wall wart and layout

the "it" refers to the PowerCab.

unplugging the PowerCab disconnects the wall wart from the layout.   yes the wall wart remains plugged into the wall

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Monday, June 19, 2023 1:10 PM

gregc

 

 
maxman
would either unplug the wall wart, or have the wall wart plugged into a power strip

 

the wall wart connections go directly to the PowerCab.   unplugging it breaks the connection between the wall wart and layout

 

Wow.  How written things can be taken out of context.  Selective quoting?

That wasn't a question.  I know unplugging the wall wart disconnects it from the PowerCab.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Monday, June 19, 2023 8:59 AM

I do the power strip thing.

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Monday, June 19, 2023 6:58 AM

maxman
would either unplug the wall wart, or have the wall wart plugged into a power strip

the wall wart connections go directly to the PowerCab.   unplugging it breaks the connection between the wall wart and layout

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, June 18, 2023 8:40 PM

Camster
After all NCE didn't even add a power switch to the controller.

I believe that most of us, being prudent individuals, would either unplug the wall wart, or have the wall wart plugged into a power strip which does have an on/off switch.

  • Member since
    June 2023
  • 2 posts
Posted by Camster on Saturday, June 17, 2023 10:14 AM

wrench567

  Is the Pro cab wireless? I have accidentally left my Power Cab on for about a week once. Still works great.

   Pete 

 

Thanks. I have heard many leave it on all the time. After all NCE didn't even add a power switch to the controller.

 

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
Posted by gregc on Thursday, June 15, 2023 5:11 AM

the ProCab is just a controller.   the PowerCab is a combination command-station/booster/controller.    then the PowerCab shuts off, there's no power to the track

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, June 15, 2023 4:12 AM

What's that saying? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

If all is well on power up, I wouldn't worry about it. 

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • 1,057 posts
Posted by wrench567 on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 11:28 PM

  Is the Pro cab wireless? I have accidentally left my Power Cab on for about a week once. Still works great.

   Pete 

  • Member since
    June 2023
  • 2 posts
NCE Power Cab
Posted by Camster on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 11:53 AM

Hi all. I noticed online that the NCE PRO CAB has an auto shut off but the POWER CAB doesn't seem to have one. 

The reason I ask is that I left mine on for a few hours and was wondering if that damages anything inside the unit.

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!