I have an N-scale 15’x17’ layout, I plan to have at the most three or four operators at any given time. The most locos running would most likely not excede 7 or 8 as there would be a few double headers running. It looks like the PowerCab could handle this, but what if I had sound in a few of the locos. What would the max be? There would always be a switcher in the yard and two or three double headed trains running on the main.
Now I know DCC gets re-hashed constantly but I sure would appreciate some advice. I ultimately would like the Lenz set 100 but If I could get by with something a bit cheaper I could actually afford to buy all the decoders needed.
Many thanks in advance for repeating some of this.
The power cab has a maximum of 2 cabs. The smart booster will support additional cabs.
Another option to the smart booster is to purchase the power pro system box and use the powercab as a procab.
Craig
John,
Craig is right. With the Smart Booster, you will increase the maximum output to a total of 3A and be able to add up to 3 extra throttles - in addition to the Power Cab. The number of sound locomotives that you can run simultaneously depends entirely on how much current each locomotive draws. As long as you stay under maximum output you’ll be fine. It’s also wise to only lash up or consist sound locomotives with like sound locomotives because sound locomotives require more power to initially get going then non-sound locomotives so they’ll end up fighting one another around the track.
If power is an issue and you already have the Power Cab, maybe consider eventually upgrading to the Power Pro. As Craig has already pointed out, you can use the Power Cab with the Power Pro system as an additional throttle by just plugging it in. That way you haven’t tossed your money away.
Tom
cost comparison;
powercab $140
extra throtle $ 70
smart boost $ 70
ps for boost $ 36
total $316
The above would give three amps total power.
Drawbacks would be no computor interface(comming soon) and can only stack 2 locos. Sound may limit number of trains running at the same time.
Advantages would be lower start up costs. A facia panel as part of the system. Could start with the basic system for less and still add 1 extra throtle.
Add a powerhouse box for $155(+ power supply $36) and skip the smart booster and gain the 5 amps and computor interface, but would need the facia panel $13.
This expansion may look something like this;
powercab $140
extra throtle $ 70
ph box $155
ps $ 36
panel $ 13( can the powercab panel be used?)
total $ 414
go for the pwerhouse pro;
ph system $ 386
ps $ 36
extra throtle $ 70
panel $ 13
total $ 505
Advantage would be 5amps and computor interface from the get go.
Dissadvantage? Did I add incorrectly or am I missing something?
Seems there may be a cheaper way to get started after all.
i bought a ph pro here in canada for 525.00. I t gave me everything to start with. Power supply and two decoders as well. But I think now they come with the face panels instead of the decoders. And I don’t regret buying it over the power cab.
How about this:
Digitrax Zephyr (2.5 amps and includes 1 built-in throttle) - $160 @ Tony’s
Two home-built jump throttles using plans available at Tony’s and elsewhere - About $25 each
Total - About $210
Computer interface if you want it - $36
New total - About $246
Money for decoders left over vs. spidge’s cheapest ($316) NCE alternative: $70
Advantages:
Computer interface included in the $246 Zephyr price
Three throttles instead of two.
The whole system won’t shut down if you unplug one of those jump throttles.
Disadvantages:
2.5 amps instead of 3 amps
You have to know which end of the soldering iron to hold when building those two jump throttles.
(Of course, that whole soldering iron issue can be avoided if you have or can find two old DC powerpacks to use instead…)
HTH,
Steve
Hi Steve, I looked at the digitrax but I cannot bring myself to by a stationary throtle and never use it. The abilities of the zepher are comendable but it appears that the NCE is easier to learn, very important for me. Plus I have seen the digitrax throtles in use and I dont like the small speed controls and the fact that you have to turn and turn and turn.
John, recognizing that you are not interested in the Digitrax route and based on your needs the Powercab walk around capability seems to meet your needs well. However, since there are others likely reading this thread I want to point out a few things about the Digitrax solution.
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The jump throttle described by Stevert is a nice feature to get a very simple extra pair of cabs, but they are very limited in their capability. They control speed and direction and that is all. If you are a sound locomotive user they are not going to cut it.
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The new UT4 throttle has a very large potentiometer knob control, plus control of all the sound functions so would be a far better throttle for someone wanting a simple to use walk around throttle. The street price on these is about $64.00
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As for using the Zephyr. I have it placed by my yard. My yard also has my program track embedded in it. The Zephyr is a fabulous yard throttle with the brake/direction control and the large throttle control. It is then perfectly placed for all my program needs while other hand helds run trains on the rest of the layout.
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Ease of use. Well, I would agree that NCE has better documentation and probably and easier user interface for programming etc. Having said that, Digitrax is not a hard study at all. My 6 and 8 year olds use the system with ease for running locomotives. The 8 year old makes and breaks consists. Both of them are adept at using all the sound functions. If you are interested in PC programming of decoders then the free Decoder pro software running via a PC interface is far and away the best way to go.
Anyway, I’m not trying to change your direction as the NCE is a great system, just want to make sure that others understand the Digitrax solutions that are available.
Simon,
I always appreciate your fair assessment of things. [:)]
Tom
Why wouldn’t you ever use it? simon1966, along with many other Zephyr owners, uses his for his yard. If you have through freights or passenger trains it’s ideal. And don’t kid yourself about the Zephyr being stationary vs. the PowerCab. If you unplug the PowerCab’s “master” throttle to move to another location, the whole system stops. So even though it’s on the end of a tether, the other end of that tether is, for all intents, stationary.
I’ve used NCE (ProCab) and Digitrax, and didn’t find either one any more or less difficult to learn. I think it’s more a matter of what you’re used to.
Sounds like someone didn’t have either their ballistic tracking or their speed tables (or both) set up correctly. No to mention that the Zephyr itself doesn’t have the smallish DT knobs and that if you build your own, you can put on whatever knobs you want. Or you can buy the UT throttles with their larger knobs and still come out cheaper than than the comparable NCE package that you priced out.
Steve