Hi, I am looking to buy the NCE Corp. DCC Twin and was wondering if anyone has used it before. I have a small 5x8 layout and it is annoying to have to keep taking trains on and of the layout, plus $159.99 is in my price range. Thank you.
This is a brand new system. NCE has been around and is a good DCC system manufacturer. Don’t pay retail! Tony’s train exchange lists them for around $127.00. Accu-Llites list them at about the same price. Both are good on line stores to deal with. I would contact them to see if they have them in stock yet. Joe
I might suggest the PowerCab for $139 at http://www.blwnscale.com/nce-systems.htm.[:#]
Thank you, I will look there.
I have looked at the NCE power cab but I have seven locos. and was looking to get out of buying decoders for all seven, or do I need to buy them with this system? The thing is I have a small 5x8 and don’t want to spend a whole lot plus the fact that I would have to buy decoders for all seven looms over me and also the when I read how the power cab worked, it said you have to program the locos.on the main line, what dose that mean? Anyway I would really appreciate it any help. Thank you
I may as well be blunt. If you do not plan to install a decoder in each engine that will be running, don’t bother buying a DCC system. That would be a waste of money.
NCE dcc systems will not allow running an engine without a decoder installed. This includes the Twin, powercab, and powerhouse Pro systems. So if you ever plan to run more then one train you will need a decoder in each engine that will be running at the same time. Some other dcc systems will allow only one DC powered engine or train to be run. You would still need decoders in every other train.
Martin Myers
You may want to go on youtube and check out information on DCC.[:D]
Hmm…Youtube, I never thought of that. Thanks[:)]
There are a few systems that will run a loco with out a decoder but that can be hard on the motors. They will have a fairly loud buzz and some motors can be damaged. Some that run a loco like this have a siding to put the loco on and turn off the track power.
Don’t bother with the Bachmann EZ Command. It cannot modify CV’s.
Rich
The below link has a lot of info about NCE stuff. I think you will see something about the dual set.
http://www.mrdccu.com/curriculum/nce/nce-101.html
As was said, NCE does not run locos without a decoder. Decoders can be had for about $20 each. Installation can be another issue.
Rich
I am on the list to get a demonstrator/review unit, but I’ve not heard anything from them since the middle of last month. I will post a full review once I receive the unit and put it through its paces.
I am excited just about the concept coming from a major brand DCC company.
This fellow uses DCC and NCE a lot. There is info about the dual throttle.
https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/nce-info/nce-dcc-systems
Rich
WOW! Thanks for the all info. I found these sites most useful. I now understand that NO DCC system will work with out a decoder. It just got me mixed up because when I did research it said the power cab was ready to run out of the box…only with one train running, to have too running I would have to install decoders. But alas, I am faced with another problem…I found out ALL my trains have three pole pancake motors!!
][:'(] So…I don’t know if I will even be able to have DCC being that I would not be able to isolate the motor…Oh well,back to the web for more research.[:(]
Thanks for all the help![:D]
No, Digitrax and Lenz can run a single non-decoder loco on the track at the same time as others with decoders. It works, but not the best option - some locos work better than others doing this, and are usually kind of noisy. But it does work fine to test things out and no it will not fry your loco.
–Randy
Are those the kind that sit vertically directly over the wheels? They would only be a problem if it is not easy to break however the power gets from the wheels to the brush. If I recall the ones from my youth it was an actual wire that should be easy enough to break and install a decoder in between.
Yes that’s the ones! So your saying that I could just disconnect the wire from the pickups and that would isolate the motor? I never thought of that. I guess it would be the same, and since my locos are old I never had a new one but I read on the web that new trains carry power through the frame and that’s why. But thanks for the help…I really needed it![:D]
I think so. But I haven’t played with that sort of mechanizm for over 20 years, so my remembery might be inaccurate. The thing to do is just look at it really good and find two wires coming from the motor. If there is only 1, then the other is the frame somehow. Sometimes they just run a strip of brass over the edge as the 2nd wire.
Many model trains both old and new utilize the frame as a “wire”. Saves money doing that.
If that is the case, even with the motors isiolated, they will not run well on DCC!
FYI to everyone - NCE contaced me yesterday (3/4) and the word is that the DCC twin units will be out as soon as they finish writing the user manual.
Why do you mean that even with DCC the trains wont run well? Are you thinking the motors are old (witch they are[:$]) or something else?