Welcome to the channel. If you run into any questions feel free to add a comment as I try to address all I get-Larry

@@TheDCCGuy Thanks Larry. Very much appreciated. Keith

My mom gave that to me for Xmas about 20 years ago. I recently had to replace the battery charger and I need to order another battery, which are now getting hard to find but it still does the job.

i have one also great for tight lite work

Please let me know what you think of that setup now... I think a wifitrax panel is one ofnthe last upgrades for me to get as far as DCC, that and a few circuit breakers... I have no plans to use JMRI or a computer in the layout, I'll save the PcP for a programming track, or....

It makes the most sense to me to mount the SB5 put of sight, and have it wired to fascia panels for cabs to connect to... the other socket could go to radio base station, a wifitrax board, etc... or to send wiring in 2 directions for fascia panels...

If you can afford to dive in with a high end system, then jump in and enjoy the bath. However because if the cost I suggest finding someone with the system p(s) you are considering and get an on invite to operate on their layout. While command stations and boosters all do the same thing they may hVe their own idiosyncrasies which may not make any sense to you. Also throttles can be very user friendly/unfriendly to different folks. So it is important to get a feel for how they work since that is what you will be holding much of the time. Finally go to the manufacturer’s websites and download the manuals. This will allow you to decide (1) whether they are too technical for your tastes abilities, (2) offer what you think you need, and (3) decide whether they can actually offer a reliable supply of products. This may be a real concern for example if all their products are made in China or elsewhere and parts/equipment may not be readily avaialble except when a container load arrives. Finally, if it should need repairs where will you have to send it-overseas?

It’s just like installing the one I showed in the video. Just daisy them them around the layout.If you go back to video #151 I show how to connect the wires under the layout and mention adding the additional UTPs.

@@TheDCCGuy Thanks. #151 did help.

Let me check that tomorrow and get back to you. If I forget please remind me in a few days-Larry

Will do.. thanks Larry..

Hi Larry... you asked me to remind you about the NCE Power Cab consist glitch that I have on the controller. To recap I always get the trailing ( 2nd) loco come up as the lead on the display. If you can advise great.. but no problem if you can’t ... always appreciative of your feedback and replies....Colin

I tried it and the correct loco came up as the lead. So I can’t understand what is happening with your system. If using ad an ed consists try reversing the locos as explained on or about page 30 in the manual.

Thanks Larry, yes I’ll try that. It is weird as I’ve got three consists at the moment and it’s been the same every time that I’ve programmed them.., as I said it’s no big deal at the moment as my layout ( still in the build stage) is a modern Terminus with a reverse so trains come and go into the terminus so the trailing loco is at times the ‘ lead ‘.. That said there are others to be done so I’ll delve a little deeper into the manual. I’ll let you know.. Thank you again for your time . Colin

Yours apparently is the old UTP designed for use with the 6 conductor flat cables. The current version is the UTP-CAT5 which uses the Category 5 cables for the cab network bus.

I have never done that so cannot comment. However if you call Ed Wilson at NCE tech support I am sure he can give you an answer.

The only products I know of are made by RRCirKits so it really has not even gotten much of a start. Generally modelers are waiting to see what it can do and what kinds of products will be made, while manufacturers are waiting for modelers to ask for products. Since demand typically drives production there really is no driving force for LCC as long as modelers are happy with what they already have. So I tend to agree it is a solution in search of a problem.

@@TheDCCGuy Exactly this, "solution in search of a problem"

Is the 3 wire adapter a Kato product or DCCconcepts, I can’t find it and the Cobalt DCD-ADS manual doesn’t say anything about this. If you are in the Uk I suggest giving tech support in Settle a ring tomorrow.

That is a balancing game in itself. Basically though you count how many locos you will be operating at the same time and then assign a amperage value for each based on how much current their motor draws. This is subjective unless you have measured the stall current values although Model Railroader provides measurements for each model in their product reviews. If you don’t know then assume 0.5 amps for new HO locos, and 0.75-1 amp for older models with open frame or non-kew wound motors. For N scale you can cut that in half. Don’t forget any lights in your passenger cars or cabooses, and accessories and switch machines if they are powered off the DCC bus. Add that all up and it will tell you how many amps you need. If you go over 5 amps then you will need a second booster and so on. There are ways to get more out of your boosters and I discussed that in my videos 112 & 113. on boosters and power management.

It is not based on the distance of the runs but instead is determined by the load. The load is determined by the number of locos and how many amps they draw plus any devices that are powered off the DCC bus. So find out how much each loco pulls on average and add that up and you’ll know whether your PowerCab can handle the load alone or needs an additional booster. Look at my video on Power Management. If you need more power you have a couple of options: (1) buy a SB5 smart booster or (2) consider the new Aegis system from DCCconcepts. You can see my review on the MR website posted a couoke of days go at www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/reviews/staff-reviews/mr-exclusive-dccconcepts-aegis-upgrade-for-nce-powercab/ . Iron Planet Hobbies will be the US vendor and of course you can order direct from DCCconcepts. Given your length of run on each side I would put the command station/ booster in the middle of the 8’ section withn the bus running out in each direction. That will keep your total length down to about 36’ on each side which is a bit over the recommended 30’ so you may need to add snubbers on each end of the bus.

I use 14 ga for all my bus runs. See my videos on wiring for more specifics.

Is there any type of unwritten rule that # AWG bus wires can accommodate a certain footage of HO track? Is there ever a scenario where 12 AWG would be the right choice? Thanks!

It is best to keep your runs under 30’ as I explain in my wiring videos. Long runs, higher amperages, require bigger wire.

That wire is approximately 17 awg so would be OK for N scale. However I recommend you keep your runs to under 30’ and if possible go to a slightly heavier wire unless you have already bought it. Often a simple rearrangement of your wiring scheme or using a star pattern can result in shorter individual runs.

Thanks Larry.. that’s interesting and I was thinking the same. The total is around 45 feet..and the control is in the middle so it will be a star extended evenly 3 or 4 directions. So the runs would be 12 to 15 feet each.. Thank you for your reply .. that’s very helpful.

Hi Larry.. apologies. Following on from my earlier message to you... What would you recommend on next size up from 32/0.2mm? As I’m still designing the layout this may be a good time to purchase a slightly heavier cable as you suggested . Is there such a thing as ‘ overkill’ and would this be detrimental if say I used a 1.5 or 2.5mm flex. Just thinking ahead with possible expansion in mind and the booster. Again thanks for any advice.... Colin

I usually recommend 16awg for N scale so since yours is 17awg it should do fine. I have even seen 18awg used. I was more concerned about your runs being over 30’.

Thanks Larry...

NCE does not make a wifi device but there is one from another source but I will,have to fond the name and other info on it. Plus if you connect via usb to a computer with JMRRI you can use your home wireless router for a wifi throttle connection.

OK, a Google search turned it up. Go to wifitrax.com/products/product-WFD-30-detail.html for the info.

@@TheDCCGuy Oh Thank YOU!!! Yah... I have wifi remote through JMRI but then the kids need my Laptop... Thanks for this... will put this on my list of needs when ever I convert to NCE Power. Love Your shows.

If what you have does the job without problems then stick with it until something does go awry.

@TheDCCGuy all I noticed yesterday was having to give more throttle input when I actually had 11 locos running at the same time! But nothing g acted up and the NCE power cab was o ly showing 1.1 amps

What size is the wire? Smaller wire means more resistance and lower voltages at the track.

@TheDCCGuy my bus wire is 16 gauge and only 18' long. All the Kato feeders are 24 gauge but I cut almost all of them at least in half so they are 12 to 18" long.

Yes, but since you have access to 5 amps in each district and assuming your trains are more or less evenly distributed in both then you in effect have access to a total of 10 amps of power.

Larry, not really. In electronics, amperage does not work that way.

@@robertheroux2402 The way I'm looking at it is....... say district 1 can handle four HO locomotives that will require 5 amps. The same with four locomotives in district 2. The eight locomotives all running at the same time require 10 amps, if the power requirement of each is added together. That's what I figure Larry means by " access to a total of 10 amps of power". Each (isolated) district still remains at 5 amps, but twice as many locomotives can be running on the layout, with the addition of the DB5.

@@larryadamson6686 I can see that. But still the entire system is running 5 Amps.

@@robertheroux2402 I agree, it would be running at 5 amps. Separate isolated track booster districts for each additional booster. 13.8 volts and 5 amps max. Same DCC data-link covering them all.

I don’t know whether there actually is a limit but I do know that if you use more than a handful you do need to provide additional power for the throttles, using the jack on the back of the panel.

@@TheDCCGuy thank you, I’ll try that

It is a major commitment to convert to DCC but offers many advantages over DC once you want to run more than one train at a time. Check out the Blunami videos I did recently, they offer the ability to get the power and features of DCC while using DC power.

@@TheDCCGuy hey i have a quick question unrelated to this if you or anyone can answer. I bought a Walthers HO UPS engine that’s missing the motor and front trucks for five dollars. I tried ordering trucks on eBay but the wrong size showed up and i can’t find a product page on this engine. Where do i find parts to fit? Sorry for how vague this is lol currently hunting parts and remembered you

I’d call Walthers customer support. They may have parts but even if they don’t they should be able to tell you the correct part you need.

From what I have read about them the PowerCab and ProCab are essentially the same and once upgraded the PowerCab can be used as a ProCab. At least that’s what the manual and online material suggest. All the same functions are supported and programming seems the same. Any differences such as number of consists, locos, etc. are likely due to the differing capabilities of the various command stations.

I am not aware of a way to lock a PowerCab so you may have cooked it. It likely will,need to be sent back to NCE for repair or at least diagnosis. Contact them at their tech support number or address.

Mine has been working fine since I made this video so you mist have had a defective unit. Did you send it back for warranty repair?

@@TheDCCGuy lo habia comprado usado, alrededor de 30 dolares, la pantalla principal solo marca la version 1.3 CAB 02 , de ahi ya no se actualiza, se quedo congelado.

Are you farmer Dave from Hollis