I am haveing some issues with my layout as it is not runnign quite they way I want too. I have a NCE Power Cab and it is a fine set up. But I am lacking some power as I have a big layout and also the voltage is just abit on thw low side.
I am looking at getting a booster and was wondering if anyone has had some expeirence they like to share? Thanks.
I purchased a SmartBooster at the same time that I purchased my NCE PowerCab. But I did so because I wanted true walk-around, not because of power issues. How much more power do you think you need; switching from PowerCab to Smartbosster only gives you a little more than 1 amp of additional power.
Yes I have one (I assume you mean the Smart Booster… and you’ll need a new power supply for the SB; you can’t use the P114 that comes with the Power cab). It works well and allows you to use your throttle for walk-around control (unplug from one RJ jack and while walking to the next RJ jack, the locomotive keeps running because your last command is stored in the booster), besides providing additional amps, and a few other features (See NCE website).
One word of caution: the booster does not support programming track mode. You will want that feature if you plan on installing your own decoders, because it allows you to test them at a very low voltage, preventing decoder burn-out if there is a wiring error. I may have unintentionally fryed my booster because I attempted to temporarily re-establish program track mode by plugging the Power Cab’s original P114 power supply into the Power Panel and using the Power Cab 6 wire cable, while the Booster was still hooked into the track network (I had disconnected the power wires between the booster and the track, but had not disconnected the phone cables between the booster and the UTP panels. I believe voltage passed through the network and damaged the booster.) But, NCE replaced the SB at no cost to me! Great company.
The lesson learned here is if you get a SB don’t re-use the Power Panel as a Universal Throttle Panel (UTP), instead, buy a new UTP and save the Power Panel for using for Programming Track Mode. Then you can use the Power panel and P114 to invoke Program Track mode on a separate piece of track completely separate from your layout track and SB wiring.
Good Luck
The SB brings power up to 3 amps. You’ll need that if you plan on using more than two throttles, and don’t forget sound equipped loco’s sit on the track and consume power even if you aren’t actively controlling them with a throttle (besides other idle loco’s w/o sound, that sit there with their lights on).
Yes, the Smart Booster is the way to go. Pay close attention that "karle" has said.
Search the 'Net using http://www.google.com/ for nce smart booster for good prices. About $75 to $79 seems to be a good price range though things can change rapidly with online ordering. There are quite a few good DCC dealers.
You will need a 115 vac power supply also for powering the booster. A few people have ordered a booster and did not realize that a power supply was needed also.
Good luck.
Rich
John,
I bought a Smart Booster (SB3) about a year ago. You can read the full review I wrote about it and it’s capabilities on the Review page of my web site. Here’s the direct link:
A big plus is that it will give you true walkaround capability. It’s true, it only increases the total max. output of the Power Cab from 1.7A to 3A. If that’s not enough power, you can always add DB3s to the SB3 to create power districts around your layout.
John, the other thing you could do is buy a Powerhouse command station. It’s about $50 more than a SB3. That will give you 5A of output. You may have to get a wall transformer to power it, too.
Hope that helps…
Tom
Thanks for all the responses guys. Rigth now, the Power Cab is OK for me, but I am asking alot from it. The 1.7 amps is border line. 3 would be perfct. What has me more concerned is the out put voltage. I can get 15 volts with the Smart Booster. I have noticed some issues that I think are directly related to the lower voltage output from ther Power Cab. Slower top speeds and dim headlights are the biggest factors.
Looking forward to more power. he he [swg]
Thats a great idea, especially if you plan on future expansion. Remember, if you get a Procab system, you can always use the PowerCab as a throttle instead of buying a cab04E or P!
If he gets the Powerhouse command station, he can use the PowerCab as a Procab, and not need to get the ProCab. I have figured that if you even think you might want more than 4 throttles the SB doesn’t make any sense at all. I think.
I currently run 2 throttles and that’s about all I would need. 3 woudl be godo but after that, its kinda cozy around the layout. EEK!
That makes it easier, at least. I can easily see wanting 5, maybe even 6, on the other hand, I could see it happening that I never use more than 4. So, I’m working in Catch-22 land. I think once I’ve added it all up, I’ll end up with a PowerHouse, though I might build up starting from the PowerCab, even though the total cast will be a bit more. OR I could end up going in another direction entirely…