I’ve got an NCE PowerCab. I’m ready to add a second throttle to my layout - the primary goal is to be able to have a throttle available at the other end of the layout, not necessarily to have two simultaneous operators. I’m looking for recomentations on the best way to do that. I would like to add a ProCab. I don’t have a problem leaving the PowerCab plugged in at one end of the layout. So, should I simply purchase a ProCab and a patch pannel, or is there an advantage to something like a smart booster and moving the PowerCab as required? I haven’t looked up the costs yet.
I have the same thing you do and bought an extra CAB-04E throttle that plugs in next to my Powercab. I don’t think you can add a UTP or patch panel to an existing powercab setup. I think you need to buy the SB3 “smart booster” to be able to do that. Tom will correct me if I’m wrong, he’s the NCE powercab specialist here. So I think to do what you’re asking you would need the following items.
Well, it looks like I’ll have to correct you then. [swg]
Actually, you can add another UTP panel to your Power Cab without having to purchase a Smart Booster (SB3). All you need to do is to purchase a 4-connector RJ-12 cable and daisy-chain it from the back of the PCP panel to the back of the new UTP panel. Wallah! You’re in business!
Jim,
Hopefully the following will make all sense. The Smart Booster (SB3) will allow you to do the following:
Plug and unplug your Power Cab without shutting down your layout
Increase the total output of your Power Cab from 1.7A to 3A
Upgrade the OS of your Power Cab from v1.1 to v1.28*
[*For a list of what’s included in the upgrade, click on this link and scroll down to the section entitled “Utilizing the Smart Booster”. If you already have a new Power Cab, you may already have the upgraded OS.]
So, from what you have mentioned, Jim: If having an extra throttle is not your primary goal, the SB3 is a reasonable solution for you. All you would need is the following:
Smart Booster - $77.96
UTP panel - $15.50
4-connector RJ-12 cable (7’) - $5.42*
[*Tim Smith @ Empire Northern Models can also make cables for you to length: $2.25 for both connectors, plus $0.25 per foot of cable.]
If you decide you’d rather have the extra throttle instead, you could purchase either the CAB-04p ($70) or the CAB-04e ($94). (p = potentiometer; e = encoder) Either way, you’ll still need the UTP panel and RJ-12 cable, in order for them to work.<
Jim, how big is your layout? I had the powercab with one additional basic 04p throttle and an added panel also. I did find myself using the smaller throttle for switching more than the powercab. I have an L-shaped 15x17 layout I can access from only one side( its in the corner of the garage) see photo link WWW below, and bought a longer six wire coil cord from the people I bought the powercab from. The coil cord you get with the unit is a flat cable and the coil cord is a four wire for use when the unit is utilized as a procab at a club.
With your setup, depending on layout size and access I would opt for the cheapest fix and obtain a longer coil cord. I would still add the additional panels as the other throttle can be moved from panel to panel. So that will be your truly moveable throttle.
Jim mentioned that he wanted to add a Pro Cab as the 2nd throttle, is that possible with any of the proposed solutions rather than adding an engineers cab?
Thanks for chiming in, Simon, and re-emphasizing that point. [:)]
For any of the scenarios that were previosly mentioned above, you’ll need a UTP panel and 4-connector RJ-12 cable. That would be true of purchasing the Pro Cab throttle, too. The Pro Cab can be used with the Power Cab as an extra throttle. And, just like a CAB-04p or -04e throttle, you would have to give the Pro Cab a different address than your Power Cab.
Jim, I just realized that I had neglected to mentioned something earlier. If, perchance, you went with the Smart Booster (SB3), it would be wise to buy two UTP panels instead of one.
The Power Cab’s PCP can NOT be used for programming on the Programming track in conjunction with the SB3 because the SB3 overrides that feature of the Power Cab. In order to program on the Programming track, the PCP panel has to be completely isolated from the rest of the layout and the SB3. (In otherwords, you’ll still need your PCP panel to program locomotives on your Programming track.)
The plus is that you now have the option of using your Power Cab at your bench, instead of only on your layout. Programming on the Main with the Power Cab is still accessible through the SB3.
Anyway, I wanted to mention that, Jim - just in case it was important to your decision.
My layout is “C” shaped, and I walk around one end of the C. I have a long cable for the PowerCab, it’s just annoying to drag back and forth.
I thought about a cab4p or cab4e, but I like having the extra buttons that the ProCab provides. I operate on a layout where both types are available, and I’m just plain more comfortable with the big throttle.
I could probably figure out how to wire my programming track for the PowerCab and it’s panel. Right now I have it connected through switches which allow me to do pretty much the same thing. I can turn off power to the main on one switch, and I can select the source of power for the programming track between the main and directly to the PowerCab. Sounds like if I had an SB3, I could connect it to the main through my first switch. The second switch would switch the programming track from the SB3 to the PowerCab.
So, the choice is one moveable throttle (using the SB3) or a throttle at each end of the layout. I’ll probably go for the second throttle so I can get two operators running at the same time.
Since everybody here likes to save money and UTP panels cost around $14 each, you can make your own for about half the price.
You just need telephone receptacles and RJ-12 snap-in sockets. The receptacles you can get anywhere, the RJ-12’s you’ll have to get at an electronics wholeseller, (radio Shack discontinued them). You’ll have to buy a box of 25 for about $8.
It beats tripping over the cords and it’s a lot cheaper than wireless.
One solution nobody has suggested is to upgrade to the wireless version of the system. With that you won’t need a second throttle and your annoyance with the cables will end. I can operate two trains simultaneously from anywhere around my layout using just a single wireless throttle. More than two will get complicated, but it can be done. It will cost more than sticking with the wired system, but you may find it worth the investment since you are looking at about $100 or so, anyway.
Hip Hip Hooray! All I gotta do is spend 15 bucks for a UTP panel and I’ve got a true plug and unplug walk around throttle system! Of couse only the second throttle is moveable but thats ok. I’ve got the CAB-04E encoder throttle which is very cool for switching.
