Switching from Digitrax to NCE

[prr22]

Okay, so I understand that this forum is for Bachmann stuff, but this is related because I have some Bachmann rolling stock and some Plasticville buildings LOL...

I'm a club modeler.  The overwhelming majority of my efforts go towards various projects for my club.  But, I do maintain a 4x6 layout which I pretty much fully redo each year that keeps me busy.  For this layout, my setup is a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra, paired with an infrared receiver and single dial throttle.  I also use this system at train shows to set up a programming track for the club.  Well, my zephyr has gotten to the point where I have to reset it almost every week (though I do have to mention that it did live a pretty long life).  Since Digitrax doesn't really have any other smaller and cheaper DCC systems, along with some other personal contemplations, I've decided that I want to transition my 4x6 to NCE.  Two questions for the NCE guys:

- I run 2 engines back to back, with several others just sitting and making noise.  All sound.  Is the NCE Power Cab enough "power" for my usage?

- Are my Digitrax receiver and throttle compatible with the NCE system?

Thanks for all help!!

[Nathan]

If you are running N or HO, yes the NCE system can handle several locomotives at one time, in one train or separately.

No, the throttles will not work.

Yes, the decoders will work,

Nathan

[rich1998]

I use to run the NCE Power Cab. I could run three HO sound locos no problem.
The club had the five amp Power Pro. I would carry the hand piece there and plug in.

Rich

[Maletrain]

 One difference not mentioned is that a PowerCab needs to be plugged-in at all times to be the DCC command station.  Your post seems to say that you currently have a walk-around wireless throttle (IR) that you are using with your current Digitrax Zephyr system.  So, be aware that you would be tethered to a single place if you use only an NCE Power Cab.

To get to walk around capability with a PowerCab as the DCC command station, you would need to either:

1. add a radio receiver (RB02) and a radio cab, now a Cab06r (or Cab06pr if you want a pot instead of an encoder).  Making the PowerCab itself radio equipped would not allow you to untether it to walk around unless you bought another (more expensive) DCC command station (such as an SB5), plus an RB02 and used the radio Power Cab as a radio Pro Cab (which is the same as the Power Cab but without the DCC command station built in), or

2. add a WFD-30 WiFi interface device ( http://www.wifitrax.com/products/product-WFD-30-detail.html ) to the NCE cab bus and use a smart phone running a (free or cheap) WiFi throttle app.

I use a Power Cab with an RB02 and a Cab06pr on a small home layout in N scale, and find that more than adequate to run 2 trains and have a few locos idling.  If the idling locos get to be a power issue, I can always arrange to kill power to where they are sitting, using insulating track joiners and electrical switches on their power feeders, or maybe just the power routing feature on my Kato turnouts without insulators or separate track feeders to those spurs.  

Be aware that various versions of the Power Cab have come with different versions of wall warts with different current ratings, and that those wall warts are really the limiting factor for how much can be supported on the tracks.  The Power Cab itself is rated at 2 amps, but some of the early wall warts were only rated at 1.3 amps, and the later ones at 1.8 amps.  The whole system is shut off by the wall wart when the current draw exceeds its capacity.

[Trainman203]

I bit the bullet and bought the NCE pro cab, two throttles which were converted to radio, and RB02 , and never looked back.  Costly, yes.  But never needing anything else, resounding  yes.  In over 10 years now, no problems other than routine cleaning and maintenance of the cabs.

There is an NCE forum which you should probably consult with questions regarding this non Bachmann product.

[rich1998]

The Power Cab hand unit shows DCC power which is nice. The system is rated at two amps. My DCC amp meter I built showed the same. I built one for the club also.

Rich

[rich1998]

I bit the bullet and bought the NCE pro cab, two throttles which were converted to radio, and RB02 , and never looked back.  Costly, yes.  But never needing anything else, resounding  yes.  In over 10 years now, no problems other than routine cleaning and maintenance of the cabs.

There is an NCE forum which you should probably consult with questions regarding this non Bachmann product.

Good point. They use to be Yahoo Groups. I use to belong. They changed. I left. New name. He will have to search.

Rich

[rich1998]

prr22

Sent you a PM with the link. I hope it gets to you. The same set of groups also have different DCC systems including Bachmann, at least they use to. Look around.

Rich

[prr22]

Thanks for all the advice!

[rich1998]

I always found the NCE Group to have a lot of useful information.
I recall the Bachmann Group did also but it has been some years.

Rich