New & Improved NCE Smart Booster (SB3a) - An Initial Review
A few weeks ago I sent in my old Smart Booster (plus a $60 check) into NCE to exchange it for the new and improved Smart Booster (SB3a), which I received in the mail July 12th. Since I reviewed the original SB3 way back in Nov. ’06 and posted it on the forum, I thought I would do the same with the upgraded SB3a.
Packaging & Contents
The box the SB3 came in was well packed and included the following:
Thanks Tom for your review.I use the power cab and really like it.No problems with it at all.I would like to have the option of being able to have more than 2 loco recall that the power cab offers.Will the SB3a add more locos that can be used with the recall button.And besides more amps what does the SB3a offer that the power cab does not.Thanks bob
Well aftyer reading over your review I see that the SB3a will do up to 6 reaclls.Sounds great.That alone would be worth the money plus the extra amps would be more than enough for any layout at home.Thanks Bob
The SB3a will also let you unplug and walk around with your Power Cab to follow your train also. 5 amps and 6 recall slots are just the basic upgrade. Allowing it to be used as a dumb booster is a very big plus to a lot of people upgrading to a larger system.
Tom.
How many throttles can be operated from it? With the Power Cab you can have 1 additional throttle.
I believe it is a total of 4, but you have to be a bit careful as things like the PC interface count as a throttle so reduce the numbers, at least that is what I seem to recall reading somewhere. However, I can not seem to find that reference right now after a quick search.
I have an original SB3 protected by a CP6 with the layout devided into 4 districts. To keep costs at a minimum when I upgrade to the new SB3a will I be able to keep the CP6 for short protection until I decide to spend the extra for the more robust short protection?
Thanks for starting this review. I was wondering what took you so long. [:D]
I wonder if you add a wireless base station if it would count as one throttle no matter how many wireless throttles you have. Our clubs Lenz system is capable of 32 cab addresses but we added a CVP wireless base that can take 99 cabs. The main issue is the cab addresses. Having a visitors throttle addressed correctly before plugging into the cab buss is the most important thing. The number of cabs is not really an issue. Most home operators would have less than 4 cabs at any one time. Lets say my Power Cab/ Pro cab is addressed to the clubs address of 30 would the smart booster recognize this address or simply plugging in would cause a malfunction?
Yes, cab addresses for the additional throttles must be in the 2 thru 5 range for both the SB3 and SB3a. So, Pete, you would need to change your Power Cab/Pro Cab throttle to address 2, 3, 4 or 5.
If you did plug in a throttle set to an address other than those four numbers, the only thing that would happen would be that the throttle would not respond to anything. So, no malfunction would take place.
John,
Pg. 3 of the SB3a manual indicates that - like the original SB3 - the new SB3a will work with either a CP6, EB1, or EB3 circuit breaker.
Yes, the PC interface does take a cab address. If all you use the PC interface for is programming, then it shouldn’t be an issue - just unplug it when running trains and you can use all four addresses. Where it becomes a major issue is when you want to use the computer for running trains or controlling turnouts.
Another important point is the Mini Panel also uses a cab address.
Each cab on a wireless system still uses an address, but the base staion does not, so adding wireless will not increase the number of cabs you can use, but it will not decrease it either.
I think you will have helped a lot of people with your efforts here, Tom. [tup] I like hearing that you are still pursuing development in your own DCC experience, and that you continue to be reinforced for your early decision to purchase NCE products.
About the location of the receptacles for the cables…personally, I don’t really care for that feature as well, and in my meager experience in DCC, and that is with the Super Empire Builder’s DB150 (which has been a wonderfully reliable soldier for me), it too has the cables running into the front panel. I don’t know about routing them into the rear of the unit, because that could be a distinct pain for older users or those in tight spaces, but how about into the bottom surface? The cables all have positive locks on them, or detents, so it isn’t like they will want to slip out over time. That way, they aren’t sticking out up front, but they are still accessible with a gentle reach under the unit, or a squat and reach.
Just a thought. But, I see yer all growed up and using 5 amps now. [8D]
It wouldn’t be easy to ‘flip’ a Digitrax booster/command station - the main output amplifier is at the back of the circuit board as is the heat sink for said amplifier. There really isn’t room without enlarging the case.
The new SB3 though - once the warranty is up, get a red LED and some small wire, like decoder wire. On the ‘back’ side drill a hole for the LED, and use the wire to hook it up to the existing LED’s legs, and then cut off the existing LED above the solder points. Voila! Indicator LED on one end, wire connections ont he opposite.
Edit: kind of surprised it can actually do 5 full amps, looks like the case is completely enclosed with no vent slots? Or is the back open?
You and I are thinking along the same lines. [:)][tup]
No, the back is not open. The back panel of the enclosure is metal. I’ll check tonight when I get home but I do not remember seeing any ventilation slots. Easy enough to add, if I need to.
Wow…no venting? Yikes. I would definitely drill about 10 or more on two opposite faces if I could. Actually, Tom, a Dremel cut-off or thin stone might make some good slots for you.
