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Post by Canadian Atlantic Railway on Feb 23, 2014 8:08:49 GMT -5
Where did you find an NCE PowerCab system for $100?!?! The best Ive ever been able to find one was about $160. I bought it off of Big Blue Trains or Train Board a couple of years ago. I was using an old Atlas Master dcc system before that so it was a huge upgrade. Scour the f/s listings and you may find a good deal.
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Post by jeff323 on Feb 23, 2014 8:58:31 GMT -5
I just bought a NCE power cab. I prefer the controls of the NCE over the others. I have always dislike knobs for control. NCE power cab let me know just one hand for control, leaving the other free to throw switches. Very simple to set up, very simple to use.
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Post by mdtraindrvr on Feb 23, 2014 9:08:28 GMT -5
Malcomb, I learned about Digitrax at our club since that is the DCC system at the club. There are people who love NCE, and since I have no knowledge of, or experience with, it I can't comment on it. We use JMRI to program our locomotives on a programming track. It requires a few pieces of equipment to interface between the track, power supply and the computer.
I have read of using JMRI for other purposes but I don't have a lot of experience with JMRI so I can't speak to those. However, as I learn it I will definitely want to expand my horizons.
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Post by malcolmcelyn on Feb 23, 2014 9:35:24 GMT -5
I just bought a NCE power cab. I prefer the controls of the NCE over the others. I have always dislike knobs for control. NCE power cab let me know just one hand for control, leaving the other free to throw switches. Very simple to set up, very simple to use. Thanks for the comments Jeff.
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Post by malcolmcelyn on Feb 23, 2014 9:41:52 GMT -5
Malcomb, I learned about Digitrax at our club since that is the DCC system at the club. There are people who love NCE, and since I have no knowledge of, or experience with, it I can't comment on it. We use JMRI to program our locomotives on a programming track. It requires a few pieces of equipment to interface between the track, power supply and the computer.
I have read of using JMRI for other purposes but I don't have a lot of experience with JMRI so I can't speak to those. However, as I learn it I will definitely want to expand my horizons. Cheers Dan. I believe JMRI includes switch lists, manifests, layout display for dispatching and simpler programming, including downloading sound files. I'm not sure I want layout control from a computer, but who knows? Certainly switch lists and manifests sound a great way to operate. Using my iPhone as an extra wireless throttle sounds appealing too. I think it's something I'm going to invest time and money in.
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Post by mdtraindrvr on Feb 23, 2014 19:17:09 GMT -5
Cool Malcom. Keep us informed on your progress.
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Post by malcolmcelyn on Feb 24, 2014 4:44:44 GMT -5
Cool Malcom. Keep us informed on your progress. Early days Dan, but will do, especially if JMRI turns out to be as good as I hope. If all it takes initially is a USB interface, as a lot of people have access to cheap home computers/laptops, it might encourage others to have a go. Who knows, maybe in a couple of years time, I'll be asking for a JMRI board to be set up on this forum! Lol
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pacbelt
Chairman
Building Layout #11!! ;)
Posts: 682
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DCC choice
Oct 24, 2015 23:17:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by pacbelt on Oct 24, 2015 23:17:07 GMT -5
Malcolm (I figured it should be spelled right ONCE!) I'm resurrecting this, because it's an always relevant subject. It may even help newer guys to benefit from all of our collective experience! I was in an unusual position 4 years ago, of being able to get ANY DCC system on the market.... I did what Malcolm did. Asked questions on several forums, searched links, and I was also lucky enough to be in Chicago at that time - one of the FEW hobby shop Mecca Cities!!! I got to use several systems, and frequently. Three of the hobby shops recommended the NCE Powercab. That's the one I eventually bought, even if I was eyeing the 5 amp NCE Power Pro... I was SO glad I did!! I say that, because had I spent $400+ on anything for my first system, and ended up hating using it - it would be money is never recover! The NCE Powercab has been easy to use, easy to program CVs, easy to operate trains, consists and turnouts and accessories! Even better - I STILL have it!! It's since been updated with the USB adapter, two extra throttles, and my 6'x21' Layout is now split into 4 protected zones, by 1 NCE SB5 booster and 1 DB5 booster.... Nearly 10 amps of peak power!! AND, except for the transformer (wall wart!), I've reused almost ALL of the original Powercab that I started with. When you add the first Smart Booster (SB5), your original Powercab throttle still works as a Pro Cab throttle - and can be unplugged and moved to other outlets without affecting the train that you're controlling!! FWIW, Digitrax is roughly as popular as NCE... But, in my first experience, and other times since, I found the Digitrax controller, as effective, but considerably more difficult to use and get used to. Digitrax, by shopping around and talking to other guys, is a little more expensive and difficult to upgrade... That is JUST my take on it! Other people use it and enjoy it. Although, most of those started with Digitrax a long time ago, and are very used to it.... You know, brand loyalty! We ALL do that to some extent. O.K. my 2 cents ended up being $24.95(!!!), but there it is.
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Post by emd16645 on Oct 25, 2015 6:29:36 GMT -5
One thing that I think you ought to factor into your decision is what do people in your area or network use? For example, if you belong to a club that runs a particular system, there are significant benefits with going with the same system. Being able to call up your buddy for help is a lot more desirable than calling customer support. Also for the most part, scale or prototype (even North American vs European) is irrelevant. That support network will get you through the learning curve with any system. A final point here is if you plan to host operating sessions, if you pick the local system of choice, your operators will be familiar with the controllers and you won't have to teach everyone how to use it.
If you are truly independent then go with whichever you are more comfortable with.
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Post by shinobi on Jan 18, 2016 12:14:59 GMT -5
Hopefully this won't hijack the topic too much, but I'm curious to know how interoperability affects things. For instance if I have an NCE powercab and Digitrax decoders, will that work? Conversely will NCE decoders work with a Digitrax Zephyr?
I'm assuming the answer here is yes.
I'm doing an Athearn RTR (blue box type chassis with wiper contacts) GP40-2 build, into which I want to install either the NCE DASR or Digitrax DH126D. Both kits are a pretty straightforward installation. I'm planning on doing the same with a blue box F7 chassis for my Highliners shell, and a pair of SW7's.
I'm not really looking to play with sound just yet (out of my budget), but one of the things I would really like to do is to add things like class lights, ditch lights, step lights, ground lights, etc.
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rjm
Road Foreman
Iron Horses Forever
Posts: 92
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Post by rjm on Jan 18, 2016 12:37:23 GMT -5
I forgot why I don't come to this site and got reminded.
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Post by shinobi on Jan 18, 2016 15:10:44 GMT -5
Cool, thanks for the advice. Oh btw, I've updated my sig just for you RJ.
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