Just went to NCE website and was a little disgruntled as I had just purchased an SB3a in December 2012. The new SB5 will include a power supply. I guess the software is the same. Just a little miffed I guess.
Thoughts???[:'(]
All the manufacturers make improvements as time marches on, so what’s the problem with a newer model coming out? The two devices will probably function exactly the same.
it would have been nice to let me know. I bought it just down the street from NCE HQ.
Brian,
The only reason for the change is because of obsolete parts (i.e. they can’t get them anymore) and that’s mentioned on the NCE website. From one of the Yahoo! groups someone posted the following: “The 10amp diode bridge on the input went obsolete and was designed out. The new SB5 now runs on DC input using the included desk top power supply”.
As far as the software, the SB3a and the SB5 will be identical. So, rest assured - your and my SB3a will be as good as the new SB5. It just has a few different parts. [:D]
Tom
Thanks Tom!
I read the same thing in Yahoo Groups. That was my only complaint for the day and I am better now.[:)]
Cheers!
DCC along with everything else in life is continually evolving.
Sticking with one forum is not the best today. Find a forum for your particular product. With DCC, Yahoo has different groups for different DCC companies run by individuals, not the company as far as I know.
Someone here has a signature about time moving on and not looking back to see if we are keeping step.
Change is a constant.
Rich
Seems a kind of odd reason, I doubt they’ve stopped making 10 amp bridge rectifiers. And that’s 50% headroom - sheesh!
Availability of bulky transformers though - especially with copper prices and the fact that everyone and their brother uses a switching power supply now, that makes sense. Plus the switchers are mostly universal, and light enough to ship to other countries. Like the original Digitrax Zephyr, in the US it came with a transformer power supply, but order one overseas and you got no power supply, and had to source one locally. A simple transformer doesn;t work on different input voltages, but most switchers do. Digitrax has switched over, and NCE already switched the PB5 out
Big bulk transformers are also relatively inefficient, although at low power and somethign you tend to not leave plugged in all the time, it probably isn;t enough different to be a reason to get new equipment if what you have currently works fine.
–Randy
Randy;
Do you think they will switch over the Power Pro units swell? I was going to buy an NCE Wireless PowerPro but I may wait now.[*-)]
I appreciate your input.
Cheers,
Brian
The whole set? Probably. They did the booster. Although since they sell the Power Pro less a power supply, the same power supply they supply with the new PB5 will work. Looking at the pics, it’s just a typical laptop sort of power supply, same as what Digitrax is using now.
Unless the Power Pro requires AC, Digitrax boosters and command stations have always been able to work on AC or DC input power, so all they did was discontinue the transformer power supply and start selling the DC output switching one.
–Randy
Sure, there are still 10 amp bridge rectifiers made today, just not in the package used on the SB3A circuit board. A new circuit board layout was required whether they replaced the bridge, or used a DC supply. They probably chose the DC supply as a better, more cost-effective solution (especially for the international market).
Removing the bridge rectifier from the SB5 also reduces the heat dissipated in that box, which makes it more reliable. Now it is in the brick, away from the processor and other components in the SB5.
Andy
Brian,
If you are just powering a ‘home layout’, the 1.7 amp Power Cab may be more than enough. With the V1.65 firmware upgrade, it now supports 4 cabs. If you eventually need more power, the Tam Valley Depot boosters can be used:
http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/dccpowerfrogjuicers.html
Jim
Thanks Jim! [:D]
The Power Cab now (v1.65) supports up to a total of 7 cab bus devices, counting the Power Cab throttle itself. Three of the remaining cab bus devices can be additional throttles. It also supports USB interfaces, Auxiliary Interface Units, and Mini Panels on the cab bus.
Using the TVD booster for a track booster, you can still power accessory (stationary) decoders from the Power Cab’s track bus output. That way, if a train shorts the track running a switch the wrong way, you still have power to throw the switch and clear the short.
Andy