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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2023 11:16:43 GMT -8
The NCE PB5 was all that was available for me to order back in March of this year, so that was what I got. I tried to follow all their directions at the time, but now I don't think it was working. Others have said (in posts above) that using a booster with the Power Cab does not work, that it can't actually get the power to the track.
I also just learned that the store in question sent a message to NCE inquiring about the current output of the Power Cab not being anywhere near what is advertised.
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Post by cera2254 on Jun 20, 2023 17:37:23 GMT -8
If your wire is under sized you are more at risk of creating a voltage drop when you begin to add loads to the circuit. Improperly sized feeders and bus wire will result in increased resistance that will reduce current flow to your locomotives. A layout with better feeder layout will be able to host more locomotives without a loss in voltage than one that relies on track to carry the power to the locomotives. The rails really aren’t great conductors.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2023 20:55:21 GMT -8
I somewhat understand that argument and already have multiple feeder wires. Also, my local store's layout experienced the same loco stalling issues (with the locos I grabbed out of my consignments) while only having maybe 15 lineal feet of track, total--not enough for voltage drop to be an issue at all--there is not enough wire or rail distance.
However: NCE's own comments back to my dealer said that the voltage and any voltage drop isn't the issue at all--that in dcc operation all of that practically does not matter. Instead they blame the loco stalling problems on unsoldered rail joiners (and/or dirty track) as to why the locos aren't able to consistently receive the needed amperage in dcc operation.
Specifically, NCE says that Kato Unitrack is terrible for dcc operation, and Kato feeder wires are specifically also terrible.
According to NCE I would have to dismantle and rebuild my entire (Kato Unitrack) layout--which we plan to move in a couple years--so it would just not be prudent to do now.
My son can actually run the long trains with the 3-unit diesel sets in plain dc with no issues using a recently brand-new MRC 20 volt-amp power supply. The sound and lights and everything works just fine. If/when he wants to operate the horn, he'll have to go down to just 2 units in dcc operation.
Note: Some who responded above have the NCE PRO Cab which is a completely different animal than the introductory POWER CAB. Based upon what I know, I would not compare the two systems.
Two options remain:
1. Test a 5-amp system when my friend finds his to see if the locos can somehow pull just a couple tenths of an amp more reliable current in dcc operation--when needed. Some will say this won't work but I want to just try it anyway as it's the only way to know for certain and I don't/can't just go blow $500 or so for a 5-amp dcc system at the present time.
2. Dismantle and rebuild entire layout--which will happen in a couple years anyway--so that's a no go for now.
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Post by cemr5396 on Jun 23, 2023 8:11:48 GMT -8
They are at least partially right about the Unitrack, or really sectional track of any kind. Having so many joints that your power has to pass through can cause reliability issues - that is just factually true.
If you are able to test the higher capacity system and it works, great. If it doesn't, well you are just going to have to live with things the way they are right now (if you are not planning on putting serious work into your current layout) and put that bigger system to good use as part of the power system for that "bigger, badder" layout you are planning in the future.
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