This is what I did. I went back and bought the Power Cab later because I wanted the ability to program at my workbench.
Greg,
With a V1.65 version of the Power Cab, below are the similarities and differences between the Power Cab and PH Pro:
Power Cab (MSRP: $199.95 from NCE website)
- Output: 2A
- Cabs: 2 maximum plus USB Interface and/or Mini Panel
- Number of simultaneous trains: 12
- Number of consists: 16 advanced consists of unlimited number of
yes. very. thanks for researching this
As my electronically challenged mind understands it, the SB5 makes the hand held control moveable, from one plug-in location to another. In its original set up, it must stay plugged in to keep the trains running. Am planning to add an SB5 when new layout goes in, as I have already overloaded and repaired once.
Good luck,
Richard
A DCC system is composed of a command station that takes requests from a handheld, or cab, and generated DCC packets that are used to modulate power to the track by a booster. There’s only one command station.
A PowerCab is all three. And since it provides power to the track, it can’t be unplugged.
an SB5 is a command-station/booster. When a PowerCab is plugged into it, or any other cabbus, the PowerCab acts like a simple cab, like a ProCab, and can be disconnected.
One of the advantages of the PH-Pro over the Power Cab is that the PH-Pro includes a dedicated programming track. The Power Cab can be set up as a programming track, but then the entire layout becomes a programming track. NCE provides an AutoSW device to set up a dedicated programming track for the Power Cab, but that adds $24.95 (MSRP) to the overall cost.
Rich
a recent conversation with a club member made me realize that there’s always a market for features customers may never use but want, just in case.
based on operations at the 90’x45’ Pacific Southern, it’s hard for me to imagine the need to run more than 18 trains that the SB5 is capable of. I doubt we have more than 10 engineers running trains. But the SB5 is only supports 6 cabs.
The Pacific Southern is one layout that needs cab capacity of a PH-Pro. But locos are programmed in the workshop on a workshop track with a PowerCab, not connecter to the layout.
from tstage’s post, it looks like the convenience of the PH-Pro programming track is worth $100+ for most moders with less than large layouts.
And if you do need the cab capabilty of a PH-Pro, the cab06s alone will cost at least $560+ (7*$80).
Or, Rich, you can completely skip the AutoSW and hook up a Power Cab and PCP panel directly to the layout’s dedicated programming track. [:)] Either way, the programming track would need to be electrically isolated from the rest of the layout.
Tom
Paul,With the Tech 6 throttle in hand I can control up to six trains.
Even Bachmann’s E-Z DCC you can control up to 6 engines.
For basic DCC I will hold to the NCE cab is a step up.
There are two main contenders here. Each set has their strengths and weaknesses.
NCE Power Cab PRO:
Easiest to use interface
Walk around cab
NCE Power Cab WEAKNESS:
May not be best for small hands. One drop and it could be bye bye throttle.
If you later want to interface it to a computer, your cheapest option is the NCE USB adapter which has a VERY LIMITED command set with the PowerCab. In otherwords, you can do less with it.
Power supply is about 13.5V 3 amps. Thats about 13V-DCC when it gets out to track. DCC spec calls for about 14.4 V-DCC.
When you want to expand, the NCE bus has more wires to futz with. You’ll need an expensive specialized tool to create your own bus wires.
Digitrax Zyper Pro
Actual throttle control over wheel
More robust WIRED system. Hardier components. Opto isolated boosters.
Most accessories on market. (That are directly compatible to loconet)
Full control using computer and MS100, PR3, or PR4.
Digitrax uses standard phone plug 6 wires for a control bus. $20 tool at home depot + some 6 wire phone wire.
Digitrax Zypher Weakness
Display isn’t nearly as friendly. You have to remember some archiac button sequences to set up something like a consist or set speed steps. ?Would it have killed them to create a 2x20 line LCD display with clues and hints?
You can’t walk around with it. An additional BASIC cab is $100
Wireless system isn’t as robust
13.8V power supply which is about 13.3V DCC when it reaches the track. This is still well below DCC Spec.
Other notes:
One thing not mentioned is how the logic of each system works with how you think. I originally thought the NCE system would be perfect for my right brained mind. It performed great for awhile, but for some reason a few things proved not to my way of thinking, particularly consisting and speed matching locos on the main.
I then tried a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra which being more left brained at these two things still seemed to be more intuitive to the way I think. When I picked up the walk around DT402 these two things became very easy for me.
So now I use the Powercab at the bench to test and initially program which it does very easily with its simple to follow prompts, especially addressing. But my layout is 100 percent Digitrax. But to be fair the only persons that ever operate it are myself and occasionally my Granddaughter.
So its very important, if practical, to try both systems out before you buy.
SB