Robert, ok, I think I understand this. So, if I want to set up consists on NCE from my home, what NCE equipment do I need to purchase? A command station? The USB interface cable? I have the Procab throttle. Will I still need to operate JMRI (which is already on my computer)? Or, does it make more sense to just program my locomotives at the club where i will be running them anyway?
There are actually several options (I believe these are in order of price):
- DCC Twin (command station with two built-in simplified throttles)
- Power Cab (hand held throttle with built in command station)
- SB5 Smartbooster (command station/booster) *Has no program track output
- CS02 Command station (more advanced command station only)
- PH Box (more advanced command station/booster)
4 and 5 are overkill for what you are wanting. 1-3 will all do 1 and 2 will do what you want, but have different features.
To program from the throttle, you only need the command station, you need the USB interface if you want to continue to use JMRI.
No.
If you want to be able to use the extra consisting features, such as being able to select the consist by the lead or rear engine, or you don’t want to have to worry about consist address conflicts, then yes.
I still don’t understand your desire to use NCE for programming. I could understand if you just prefer NCE and were wanting to completely replace your Digitrax system, but if you are only wanting it for programming, you will gain nothing over using your current Digitrax system with JMRI. Either way, if you program the consists at home you will have to run them using the consist address and m
Is your wireless throttle capable of running wired? If so you can get a Power Cab system and a USB interface and use your wireless throttle as an additional cab.
Pete.
I need to correct myself here, I forgot that the SB5 does not have a program track so it cannot do service mode programming, which smoe decoders require for address changes.
The SB5 is an add on for the Power Cab. It can be used as a dumb booster for the Power House system. The SB5 has ZERO command station capability on its own.
The dual throttle has no computer interface so would not be a good choice for the OP.
The most cost effective alternative to the OP who has a wireless throttle is either a Power Cab and USB interface or a complete PH system. With those he can still use his wireless throttle with a tether.
Pete
The DB5 is a dumb booster only, the SB5 is a Smart Booster and absolutely does have command station capabilities, although with no program track output. The NCE USB interface works with the DCC Twin and SB5 as well as the Power Cab.
Hello All,
After reading your posts multiple times I believe I now understand your situation.
The NCE DCC system is compatible with JMRI DecoderPro, however…
You only purchased the NCE Pro Cab-R (wireless) throttle to run at your club. You didn’t purchase any other NCE components that complete the NCE wireless system.
To use your Pro Cab-R throttle at home you will need the other components that make up the wireless DCC system:
- PH Box, Power Pro System Box Only; Command Station/Booster
- P515 transformer for PH-Pro 15v AC 5 Amp (power supply)
- RB02 916.50MHz wireless base station V2.1
- Six (6) Conductor cable long enough to go from the PH Box to the RB02
- Cab Bus fascia Panel Model #UTP (Optional). You will need a six (6) conductor cable to go from the Command Station/Booster to the UTP and then another from the UTP to the Wireless Base Station.
The advantage of adding a UTP is that to program some aspects of the Pro Cab-R you need to physically plug the throttle into the command station/booster.
When you purchased only the radio throttle all the other components necessary to even run trains on your pike is supplied by the club- -all the items I listed above.
To run your radio throttle at home you need all the other components that make up the NCE DCC system- -whether you use JMRI DecoderPro or not.
Other than investing in all the other components to complete the wireless NCE DCC system your only other option is to use the club components to program your locomotives.
The Pro Cab-R wireless throttle will not interface with JMRI DecoderPro without the other components I listed.
You will also need the USB to Serial
The DCC Twin will work with JMRI with the NCE USB interface. Unless he has a large home layout he wants to use it on, the PH Pro system is overkill. He could program from the Pro Cab and run a small to medium sized layout (3 amp, 6 cab limit) by purchasing just the DCC Twin, and he could program using JMRI by adding the NCE USB interface.
Hello All,
I have a 4’x8’ pike and use the PH Pro wireless system. It doesn’t seem to be “overkill” for me.
I agree.
But to get the Pro Cab-R (wireless) to work with the Twin he will need a 6 conductor cable to tether the wireless cab to the Twin.
If he wants to retain the wireless capability he will need the RB02 916.50MHz wireless base station V2.1 and a 6 conductor cable to attach the RB02 to the Twin.
The Pro Cab-R (wireless) does not have the built-in capability to provide signal and power as the Pro Cab Delux does.
I use the Digitrax PR3 from my desktop computer running JMRI DecoderPro to a stand-alone programming track.
To connect my desktop computer to the PH-Pro command station/booster, to run JMRI DecoderPro through the NCE system, I would need to use the USB to serial cable.
We all agree that the OP is missing some key components to achieve his goal.
If the OP wants to retain the wireless capabilities of his cab he will need more than just the twin and a USB interface.
For more information on NCE & JMRI DecoderPro check out this web page from NCE.
Hope this helps.