This guy has a very usefull link. He shows a way to use the Power Cab with a reverser. Some have trouble using the power cab with some reversers. I had trouble using the MRC reverser with my Power Cab though the reverser does work well with the Power Pro.
Look under Curriculum.
Look under NCE and then NCE 101.
He has a lot of usefull DCC info. Take your time and look around. Lots of good Tsunami info also.
Rich
Rich.
The PSX-AR will work with the Power Cab just as Bruce has said. There are 2 ways to make it work. The jumper is the prefer d way but there are also CV changes in the PSX that can be changed. A reset of the system and a reset of the PSX will change the CVs to default and you will have to re-program again. This info can be found on the DCC specialties web site.
Pete
Ok, here is a clickable link. I do not like including info without a link. The link can be downloaded and printed out.
The site is a little difficult to navigate for some PC users. That is why I mentioned Curriculum and the NCE link in Bruce’s site. Some get totally confused by even a site like Bruce’s and do not know they have to click on different hyper-links.
http://www.dccspecialties.com/products/pdf/man_psxar.pdf
Everyone, store the link in Favorites.
Rich
Rich
Thanks for the link.
Western Ma? Are you a member of the ABEL club? We may have met some time. I am a member of the CCMRC. PM me if you would like.
Pete
Yes, Western MA. Sent you a PM.
Rich
It also depends on how many loco’s are running. For instance if you have a consist outside teh reverse loop there may not be enough reserve current capacity to trip any reverser. If just running a single train or consist there shouldn’t be much problem.
I had trouble with one loco using the MRC reverser. The NCE Group does recommend the reverser in the link from Bruce. Others have had issues with other reverser’s when using the Power Cab.
Note, this thread is about the NCE Power Cab Controller and PsxAR reverser, not other brands of controllers or reverser’s.
I am speaking from experience, not opinion.
Rich
Somebody with experience with different auto-reverse units needs to write the definitive post on what works and what doesn’t with the NCE Power Cab.
There is too much speculation and mis-information floating around out there.
Some say that various auto-reverse units work with the NCE Power Cab. Others say that some auto-reverse units don’t work with the NCE Power Cab.
So, which do and which don’t ?
Rich
When some say that a reverser on their layout does not work with the Power Cab, then that is their experience. Cannot be any clearer. If it is from, They Say and I heard, that is different.
The layout may be large and there is a lot of voltage drop between the reverser and the Power Cab. The layout may be small and very little voltage drop and the reverser may work.
That are many factors that may come into play. Some do no know how to wire the reverser correctly and think the reverser is not a good one.
I belong to many mrr forums and I see many who jump right into DCC with hardly any basic knowledge of the electronics involved. Then proper wiring is another big issue.
Just out of curiosity, does NCE have an official statement or opinion on this subject?
Just an opinion.
Where’s the need for a reverser? I have a double pole double throw switch wired so that when I enter the “Y” to the reverser loop I throw the direction switch and the DP/DT switch in the same direction. For a couple bucks, problem solved. I suppose I could “gang” the switches together but why bother?
Hmmm. Keep it simple. [swg]
Having fun.
Lee
At the club this is what we did to save money. While it does work, there is always someone negotiating the reverse Wye without thinking about flipping the toggle, causing a short and wondering why his locos stopped. We have to constantly remind members about that DPDT switch.
Needless to say an electronic reverser is coming soon.
Rich,
I would bite the bullet and do a comprehensive comparison if I had the equipment in question.
But, I use the Pro Cab, not the Power Cab. And, the only auto-reverse units that I own are several Digitrax AR-1 units.
As I say, somebody with experience with different auto-reverse units needs to write the definitive post on what works and what doesn’t with the NCE Power Cab.
Rich
Quite a tall order. The person doing the comparison must not only buy or borrow multiple auto-reversers, but must have the equipment and knowledge to evaluate why a given unit didn’t work. And just because it worked for the tester doesn’t mean it will on Joe Schmoe’s layout where perhaps the wiring wasn’t quite as robust or the rail joiners or track are dirty. And that also assumes sample sizes of one are reliable tests (they aren’t) - statistics rule of thumb say you need at least seven points to confirm a trend.
The best that can happen in model railroading testing in most cases is that it worked for me/didn’t work for me because of the great number of environmental variables that cannot be controlled from one layout to the next.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
I can tell you about one unit that does not work with a Power Cab.
I first tried a DCC Specialties OG-AR unit. I was never able to make it work. It would always shut the PC down before it would toggle.
Now some facts about the layout and revere loop. N scale, new Atlas code 80 track, #16 bus wire with #22 wire for the drops, no longer than 6". None of my locomotives would make the OG-AR unit work. I have both sound and non sound steam and diesel locos. One more thing the gaps on the reverse section are staggered about 1/8 inch. The OG-AR does not have a trip set adjustment.
I have since upgraded the Power Cab with a SB3a booster and now the reverser works.