NCE Handset

[28ten]

As you all know DCC is a mystery to me  but I have just been offered an NCE powercab starter set, and hopefully a bit of haggling should get it for a good price but the key concern for me is  if I upgraded to the 5 amp transformer could I use it with 7mm and 1/32?

 

[Simon Dunkley]

Yes: even with sound, although two locos going full pelt with sound, lights and smoke might be a bit too much for it in either scale.
Now be a good boy and buy it.

 

[28ten]

Yes: even with sound, although two locos going full pelt with sound, lights and smoke might be a bit too much for it in either scale.
Now be a good boy and buy it.

I dont think two locos at the same time will be a problem for me 
It all depends on the price, looking around the extra transformer and this http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product ... ts_id=1633 will add £150 to the cost.

 

[Simon Dunkley]

You may get away with 2 amps, but 3 amps should be fine if you use high quality motors.

Have a look at the 3 amp booster. Just shy of 50 quid, but you will need a 15V 3A transformer, too.

 

[Dikitriki]

I dont think two locos at the same time will be a problem for me 

Hi Cynric

You say that, but what about when someone comes to visit and brings a loco?

Richard

 

[dennis-rs]

try digitrains for the 5 amp transformer im sure its cheaper than the one you looked at give them a ring and ask i get all my nce stuff from there i use it on my 00 layout
john

 

[28ten]

Hi Cynric

You say that, but what about when someone comes to visit and brings a loco?

Richard

Ill worry about that when I have enough track for two locos 
But I must admit I was really impressed by the running on Heyside, and it has sown the seed even if I dont get this unit.

 

[Steph Dale]

Cynric,

Just by way of an example I thought it might be useful to point out that the Lenz Compact (3A output) will happily drive a couple of DCC sound locos.  We've had at least five sound-equipped locos on the go on a large (40' x 30') layout using the Lenz SET90, with 5A output...

Steph

 

[28ten]

Cynric,

Just by way of an example I thought it might be useful to point out that the Lenz Compact (3A output) will happily drive a couple of DCC sound locos.  We've had at least five sound-equipped locos on the go on a large (40' x 30') layout using the Lenz SET90, with 5A output...

Steph

So the base NCE unit will be fine for my one loco ?
I am just wary that a bargain could turn into a money pit 

 

[Jordan]

I have an NCE Powercab ready & waiting for my HO adventures... I have a feeling my lad will want to be fighting me for it all the time, as he had a go with one on a layout at a show recently, so I may need a second one

... If you don't want it, Cynric.....  :scratch: ;D

 

[Ressaldar]

Hi Cynric,

I bought a 10amp transformer to go with the Digitrax Super Chief Xtra set from DCC Supplies at Telford last year - it cost £48.50

cheers

Mike

 

[JimG]

I have an NCE Powercab ready & waiting for my HO adventures... I have a feeling my lad will want to be fighting me for it all the time, as he had a go with one on a layout at a show recently, so I may need a second one

NCE do add on cabs which work with your PowerCab to give you one additional independent controller - and a bit cheaper than another PowerCab handset.  See them here on their web site

http://www.ncedcc.com/component/virtuem ... 2&Itemid=1

I've got a Cab04P working with my PowerCab and it works very well.  In fact I prefer using it to the larger PowerCab handset. 

Jim.

 

[Jordan]

NCE do add on cabs which work with your PowerCab to give you one additional independent controller - and a bit cheaper than another PowerCab handset. 

Yes, I know about those; but don't you have to assign locos to them using the Powercab?  :scratch:
I can just picture it now - with my lad's attention span he'd be pestering me so much to assign him different locos all the time I wouldn't get round to running anything myself....

 

[JimG]

Yes, I know about those; but don't you have to assign locos to them using the Powercab?  :scratch:

The Cab has a "Select Loco" button.  You press it then enter the address of your loco then press Enter and you've got the loco under control.

I haven't got my system working at the moment so I'm quoting from the Operations Manual for the Cab04P.    Reading through it,  it looks as though you can't consist with it - you would have to do that with the PowerCab handset.

Jim.

 

[28ten]

Well I went round to see the unit today and it turns out the chap is a DCC geek and he controls his large oo layout with a computer, anyway he explained all sorts of stuff, and than said 'I've also got a Lenz 100 here as well' I quite liked the look of this because it has far fewer knobs  but apparently it is old tech ? is it the general consensus that the NCE is a better unit?

 

[Jordan]

... Lenz 100 ... I quite liked the look of this because it has far fewer knobs  but apparently it is old tech ? is it the general consensus that the NCE is a better unit?

I don't know which Lenz model I have used, but the trouble with less buttons is that they all have more functions each, and have to be pressed in certain orders to do stuff - there's a lot of "remembering" the Operator needs to do.
The NCE can be made more complex than it comes, but in it's basic form each button does what it says - I prefer it myself. There are several ways to control speed - and a very useful Emergency Stop button - red like all 'Panic' buttons, in case things go awry...

General advice seems to be "Try before you Buy"... I'd agree with that!! :scratch:

 

[Jordan]

The Cab has a "Select Loco" button.  You press it then enter the address of your loco then press Enter and you've got the loco under control.

Thanks for that Jim, obviously I've misunderstood how the add-on cabs work. I take it you can't program locos with them either? (Not a big hardship of course).. If a Consist has been set up via the Powercab, surely the other cab can call it up afterwards?

 

[Steph Dale]

Describing the Lenz SET100 as 'old' is a little unfair.  It's true that they haven't updated the casework but they have added features with new firmware and continue to drive the standard to some extent.  I've always had Lenz command gear; when I started it was the only system that worked on both the MOROP/NEM and NMRA standards.  Even now, with the standards largely unified, the reference is the Lenz gear...

I have to admit that ergonomically the LH100 sucks though it does have a lot of use on a larger layout, it has a great deal of functionality.  For driving locos and switching the odd point the LH90 is a much better controller with it's dial.  Mind you, the LZV100 (Lenz command station) opens up some interesting options such as unleashing the full potential of the Multimaus.  The latter is probably ergonomically the best and most intuitive DCC handset on the market currently...

Guess what I use? 

Steph

 

[JimG]

Jordan,

Thanks for that Jim, obviously I've misunderstood how the add-on cabs work. I take it you can't program locos with them either? (Not a big hardship of course)..

I'm feverishly reading the operating manual to get the answers.  ;D    I only use the Cab04P as a simple extra controller and I've never investigated all you can do with it.  But it does look as though you cannot program a loco from it.  In a way that's not a bad idea since it means that an inexperienced operator using one cannot run amok and re-program locos accidentally, or intentionally. 

If a Consist has been set up via the Powercab, surely the other cab can call it up afterwards?

I would reckon that would be the case.  I have no layouts on which I might feel the need to consist so I have never investigated the process.  BTW,  you can actually consist from the Cab04P but it is not really a recommended prodecure.    There is an Option key on the controller which can be assigned to consisting commands.  But there is no readout on the Cab to confirm data so you would be doing things "blind" which might be a bit of a lottery. 

Jim.

 

[Jordan]

  I only use the Cab04P as a simple extra controller ... it does look as though you cannot program a loco from it.  In a way that's not a bad idea since it means that an inexperienced operator using one cannot run amok and re-program locos accidentally, or intentionally. 

Yes - a "Bonus" really, in a funny sort of way!!

... there is no readout on the Cab to confirm data so you would be doing things "blind" which might be a bit of a lottery.  ...

It was the lack of a readout made me think you had to assign locos to it from the Powercab handset, to be honest.  :-[
Sounds as if I could get away with one of these to supplement my Powercab  :scratch:
Just got to build the layout, now.... :