I noticed they are constantly out of inventory. I also can’t find documentation anymore for their command bus protocol.
What’s going on there?
Good question, Don.
Back in February, 2022, I sent in a Switch-8 board to NCE for repair since it was no longer responding to commands. After a reasonable amount of time without hearing back from NCE, I called to inquire on the status of the Switch-8 board. I was told that it was not repairable and that I could purchase a new one at a substantial discount, but the item was on backorder. Several months later, I called and inquired once again and was told that the item was still on backorder. In February, 2023, now one year later, I called once again. Still on backorder. I have given up on the matter, and NCE is still holding my original Switch-8.
Rich
I just took a look at the NCE website. Lots of items “out of stock”.
Rich
Interesting. Around five years ago when I wanted to replace my MRC system I was inclined to go with Digitrax but nobody had them in stock so I went with NCR - which was available. That was back before the pandemic related supply chain issues so not sure what the Digitrax shortage was about (but I doubt it was due to overwhelming demand). Who knows what that kind of issue could be around now.
I don’t know the exact timing of your purchase but back several years ago Digitrax suffered a near fatal natural disaster, either a fire or a hurricane. their Florida corporate site was practically completely destroyed. It took over a year for them to get back to be able to reasonably provide products. It would appear today they are back to normal. This doesn’t answer what’s going on at NCE but just to explain Digitrax’s past issue.
I was chatting with a guy who had an NCE system that packed it in during the height of Covid. He immediately started going through serious withdrawal being on lockdown and not being able to run trains. He knew of the delays with NCE and did not want to send his system in. I suggested he just take it to a local electronics repair facility and see if they could fix it. The tech at the shop said electronics are electronics we’ll see what we can do. He had it back in two days working perfectly.
When I entered the model railroad hobby back in early 2004, my LHS guys intoduced me to DCC and set me up with an NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system.
Early on, I began acquiring DCC-ready locomotives and installing NCE decoders. Later, I added an NCE Mini Panel and a Switch-8 to automate my train station track work.
I think very highly of NCE, their staff, and their customer service. I hope all is well with them.
Rich
So do I, they have always gone above and beyond when answering questions for me.
I remember the day I brought my baby home.[(-D]
Brent, this doesn’t surprise me at all. A lot of folks are mezmorized by what is in the black box, but most of it is likely common stuff. Sure, the DCC board is likely proprietary in its design, but I can’t see where the board itself would actually wear out.
The stuff that wears out or breaks is probably the various connection pieces and interfaces; wires, plugs, buttons. etc. that can probably be repaired by any experienced repairman.
I think finding a shop would be the challenge. Finding bad components is one thing, but having the knowledge to understand what the device is supposed to do might be something else.
My Power-Pro-R stopped working, I popped it open to find a loose wire, not a fault of NCE. I soldered it back on and I was back in business.
I read a few months ago that NCE was suffering from the chip shortage like many companies were.
I love my NCE Power Cab! My old club used Digitrax and I hated them. All the buttons are the same and the screen is pitiful. My NCE is easy to read and use.
There! Now that I have offended every dedicated Digitrax fan out there I will run and hide somewhere.
Cheers!!
Dave
I don’t blame you as an owner of a DCS 51. But the DCS 52 and all the new stuff is leaps and bounds better.
There’s a misunderstanding here. The only chips that were in short supply were those using leading edge. The chips used in DCC are hardly leading edge. There’s PLENTY of mature node surplus there.
Actually this was mentioned on the Modelers Life podcast.
The parts he needed were, in his words, “jellybean parts”. Everyone used them.
The suppliers were blunt: If you want them at that price, you’ll be waiting 2 years to get them. If you are willing to pay more, a year. Want them right now, this is what it will cost you.
If NCE were to pay the price to get the parts now, their MSRP would have increased in turn and priced them out of the market.
Never had a problem with the 51. I find that Digitrax plays well with older stuff as far as decoders go.
But they are selling nothing now. How do you keep the lights on when you occassionally only have the entry level cab available? People are waiting on parts and upgrades. I’m not sure I understand that business model.
Oh I agree. The DCS51 was rock stable. It just was NOT user friendly…at all. That was the point of contention noted above.
Ironically, the DCS52 while more user friendly has WORSE options. For example, if you want to learn how to setup option switches, you have to grab the DCS51 manual. The DCS52 doesn’t cover option switches for the command station at all! So you hope you are throwing the proper switches.
are you suggesting selling things at a loss is a better business model?
No. I never suggested such a thing. But if they have to boost prices 35% now to get the components they need, then so be it. There are plenty of businesses that set a high price, and then offer cheaper prices later as mfg cost or demand goes down.
There are those who need parts who don’t have an option once they are invested in a system. (Unless they switch over entirely to DCC++ or Digitrax)
If you run a club, and your command station goes down is it viable to just shrug your shoulders as your club is down for weeks? A multi thousand dollar switch to digitrax where you ask each member to buy a new throttle cab isn’t a viable option either.
To be honest with you, there’s also no excuse for some of these parts NOT to be available. Cables for throttles, for example, are always out of stock. And HBridge MOSFETS are VERY common from multiple vendors (used in boosters). And the inside of a powercab is more complex than a regular Pro cab throttle. (Because of the power circuitry involved) Yet somehow these are available and the Pro cabs aren’t. The only thing that is proprietary is the command bus protocol and how it is generated/executed and/or the 2 line LCD display. Which they seem to have plenty of if they can make the powercab.
They could have created a whole new compatible system using common off the shelf components like ATMEL (Arduino) and ESP chips by this point. And they are cheap. a common arduino chip is $10. Add some HBridge MOSFETS and you are good to go.
All this lack of availability is costing them new customers as well. And as user base goes down, so does the business.
So something just doesn’t smell right. I’m not trying to wish them ill, or s