Right now, I am using the NCE Power Cab with one additional UTP panel. I want to add a third UTP and convert the system with an SB5 booster and I want to make sure that I will have the wiring right. If someone could check out the schematic wiring diagram and let me know if it will work I would appreciate it.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
I'm not familiar with the NCE setup, but here are the SB5 instructions. The diagram looks like your drawing.
file:///home/generic/Downloads/SB5%20Manual.pdf
I have the instructions and a couple of other wiring diagrams. None of them show that the second Cab Bus is used.
Bear,
A little clarification about the above diagram. If I correctly understand what you currently have:
If you purchase the SB5 the PCP panel and wall tranformer are no longer required for powering your layout since the SB5 becomes the command station and booster. When connected to the SB5, that portion of the Power Cab is automotically overrided and it essentially becomes a ProCab throttle.
The PCP panel must therefore be removed from your layout but is still necessary for programming any locomotives in programming mode, which you can now do from the convenience of your work bench. The only way to program when plugged into the SB5 is programming on the main (POM), which doesn't allow for reading back CVs
Unless the UTP panels need to be tied into the PSX modules*, you can just daisy-chain any additional UTP panels from the rear of your one UTP panel - without needing to plug any of them into the 2nd Cab Bus socket of your SB5. So, just leave that one open. With the PCP panel relegated to your work bench, you will need to purchase two (2) additional UTP panels in order to have a total of three around your layout.
*[As you have been attempting to do, double-check with NCE about that set-up.]
And don't forget to also purchase the wall transformer for the SB5. I believe some vendors sell the SB5 and wall transformer as one unit but others may still have them as separate items; the latter running you an additional you $40-$50.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
As far as what I currently have, Tom, you are correct.
Yes, I am aware of the fact that the PCP panel is no longer needed. I already have a programming track that is separate from my layout. I have a Digitrax Zephyr which I use for programming decoders on that separate programming track.
I would prefer to use that second Cab Bus socket for the additional UTP rather than daisy chaining it off the UTP panel that is already there. All I really want to know is can I use that second Cab Bus socket, which is what I want to do, and, it appears, that no one can give me a straight answer. I mean there are not going to be any more UTPs installed on my layout other than the additional one I want to install, the layout is too small for that.
bearman I would prefer to use that second Cab Bus socket for the additional PCP rather than daisy chaining it off the UTP panel that is already there. All I really want to know is can I use that second Cab Bus socket, which is what I want to do.
I would prefer to use that second Cab Bus socket for the additional PCP rather than daisy chaining it off the UTP panel that is already there. All I really want to know is can I use that second Cab Bus socket, which is what I want to do.
Are you wanting to use the 2nd Cab Bus socket on the SB5 because of the size of your layout?
I don't see an issue with using the 2nd Cab Bus vs daisy-chaining from the rear of the UTP panels. And I just learned from the NCE website that you can use the PCP panel as a UTP panel. How about that!
Yes, using the second socket means much neater wiring under the layout. As for using the PCP panel as a UTP panel, you just saved me about 20$. I would split it with you if you lived in Phoenix. Thanks.
Tom, this is my "go to" place for advice when I am stumped. I try to do as much research as possible before I post on these forums, and this is the first time in years that I have been frustrated. I apologize.
No apology needed, Bear. I was glad to help.
Here's the NCE webpage I found the information about using the PCP panal as a substitute UTP with your SB5. The blurb about it is in the very last paragraph. However, the entire page has useful information.
You can still spend the $20 for another UTP panel if you wanted the option of programming at your layout, as well as your bench. Of course, it would need to be electrically isolated from your SB5 and any layout track.
And on this page there is a diagram at the bottom for turning a UTP panel into a 3-way "Y" splitter for your cab bus. I'm thinking that might be a pretty handy feature underneath the layout for me someday. I don't know if that would help you out with your current cab bus hookup to your SB5.
FWIW...
Thanks for your advice Tom. I did not find that page on the NCE site when I was doing my research. By way of additional information, I have a walk in U 50 sq ft (+/-) folded dog bone. The additional UTP will allow for three operators but, even then, inside the U it may be tight with three people. Nevertheless, there is the inherent flexibility of having a plug in on each leg of the U and the bottom of the U.
Years ago, with another and smaller layout (yeah, the 8 X 4 sheet), I got the Zephyr, but I realized that walk around was the way to go and the Digitrax products were on the pricey side. When I did research at that stage I realized with my current layout that NCE was the way to go. I have added a short shelf on one of the walls of my train room with an 18" length of track which I wired up for programming locomotives and cleaning wheels. The Zephyr has been dedicated to this additional length of track.
I used a standard wall plate and box to make a 3 way splitter for my PH Pro system. I fed directly out of the cab bus connection into the wall plate. I attached two sets of cat 5e to the back side of the wall plate and ran the cab bus in two different directions. This seemed to work pretty well, and looked tidy under the layout, unlike the rest of the wiring. And it was way cheaper than using a UTP as a 3way splitter.