Great call out on using the PCP and power supply as a program track. About 10 years ago, I bit the bullet and jumped to the full PowerPro with two 5 amp boosters. I am still using my PowerCab as my main throttle, but I fell into the “must use everything” mindtrap some other competitor system users squawk about. As a result, my PCP is being used at a critical location at the end of my cab bus and the power supply is is providing external power to the cab bus. Now that I want to set up a separate programming station on my bench, I am trying to find an older version UTP and alternate power source for my cab bus, so I don’t have to do a rewire of the bus. To anyone just starting to expand their cab bus, skip the flat 6 wire UTP’s and get the CAT 5 versions. They are far superior and allow you to use standard cat cables from any big box or electronics store. NCE uses the extra pair to double the carrier lines so not only is the cable cheaper, it provides better signal with less power drop. In addition, it already has the LED installed and has 4 bus ports on the back instead of just 2!

Good explanation... I purchased the SB5 several years ago and because of subsequent moves never took it out of the box...Now I am in the process of building my layout and moving onto wiring... Thanks for this fine video...

This was excellent for a person like myself not very familiar with the SB5. Thank you very much.

I appreciate the time taken to walk me through the next step in DCC for my emerging layout. Cheers, Peter, Canada

Superb ,i bought a booster as part of a NCE setup that was for sale more by accident than anything else! No wonder ive had several offers for my booster the ability to move/relocate the handsets anywhere on the layout is a great unexpected bonus!

Perfect explanation and visual representation!! Much appreciated! I just started my pike but i already know I’m going to want the SB5 and multiple panel ports around the layout to plug the throttle in wherever the work is being done.

Great clip on NCE System. You explained everything throughly. Currently evolved at my local club building new layout from watching you video feel confident in what i have ahead of me.

Very good video Deryk. I've been agonising over what control system to buy for my new layout for ages, but watching this video has made up my mind on Powercab. The equipment is not mega expensive and I love the way you can just add bits to it as you expand. Thanks for the great info. Colin UK

Hey Deryk, Thank you very much for your great explination video of the NCE SB5 Power Cab System. Well I am located at Luebeck in northern germany and still using an older (very old) DCC Digital System made first by Roco Austria. It has lot of similarities to the NCE Power Cab system but with the differences of using 3 A to the track power but cannot reading CVs. The red cable wired throttles called Multimouses or shortened known as MM. Since GFN (Gebr. FLEISCHMANN Nuremburg) became a together Manufacturer with Roco Austria their together old DCC digital System are the same but the GFN MM throttles got grey color. That is ideal to use one of the MM as Master throttle together with the Booster to be the Command station with six wire flat cable. As slave MMs you can use up to 31 throttles but you need to split the slave connectors to operate more than one slave throttle. It is a weird Austrian system sometimes. The modern z21 system here has 3 A only but you can now reading out CVs but building consist addresses via CV19 is a little more complicated than with the NCE system of course. The white beginners z21 DCC System has the option to use a WLAN router as an additional option and as long as you don't using any tablet or android phone as your modern handheld wireless throttle than you cannot drive multiple traction units, easily. I am planning to upgrade my DCC system to NCE poewr Cab first and maybe later to SB5 pro cab. Still the price for a NCE power Cab is by around $ 250 and the SB5 Command station around $ 500 what still is wide above of my possibilities but I rhink it will it be worth than to invest more money into system which allows 3 A only per power circuit section. I run two different small modular layouts in H0 scale, one has the theme of an US based fictional roadname the Great Western & Atlantic RR of the Peach State of Georgia during the prohibition era in 1928 and the other theme modular layout is a fictional private owner Railroad based in the Imperial Prussian Kingdom in thf year of 1908 in northern Germany. For the prussian RR tge possibilities of the NCE power Cab would maybe enough, I think, it's a small layoug to operate mostly not more than 3 locos at the same time and not all are sound equipped. The NCE pro SB5 would be best for my modular US layout, to operate some double or tripple header steam locos with sound...well shorter oldtimer engines, only. Excuse please my poor british middle school english, I left school in 1988. Greetings from northern germany, Ingo

In the process of going to the SB5 to complement my NCE Power Cab. Your video has greatly enhanced my understanding and made me decide to go ahead. Thanks for the great information presentation of what it is, what it does and how to hook it up. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos. I am new to model railroading and this type of help is golden.

I found your video as I was trying to figure out how to connect my SB5 to my new layout. I had a number of questions / concerns and you have cleared all of them up for me! I am now in the process of finalizing my wiring and will be able to run trains as I complete the layout. Thanks, Deryk!

Very informative video Deryk. I'll look for others you have done. I have the Power Cab and will add the SB5 booster shortly. You've made my learning curve much easier!

Thanks for the demo. I have an NCE PowerCab and I have the PCP, USB Connector, Auto-SW, a screw terminal, power jack, and on/off switch all in an enclosure and use it as a portable aerogramme until I get my layout completed at which time I plan to add an SB5, an RB02, Repeaters, and have my PowerCab upgraded to wireless.

Deryk - I don't have DCC, don't really know anything about it and don't really anticipate getting it, BUT, your explanation was so clear, detailed and easy to understand I was able to follow it all completely with no problem. - Paul

Almost bought an NCE system last week but I wasn't sure what the differences were between the different cabs. Now I understand thanks for the video.

I got the nce power cab recently and this is a great explanation for questions I had and now have been answered thank you very much.

After watching this video, I subscribed to your page immediately. Enjoyed the tutorial video. Looking forward to other model train videos and tutorials currently posted and soon to come.

Thanks for the great tutorial Deryk. I am just getting started building a layout and have abasic NCE set but will certainly add a smart booster right off the bat just for the featureof changing locations while a train is running. Your explanation of the setup was easyfor a novice to understand. Well done!

My research lead me to buy a NCE system and a power cab to start me off. This great video answered some questions for me so thanks very much. I'm enjoying this build of yours so keep up the good work. P.S....Stop apologising for the shaking camera or the way you do things and other stuff, It's all part of the fun!!!! Stop apologising!!!!!!

Hey, i have bee a hard core dc guy for all these years and now i am looking at going dcc. So looking at all the videos at there. You gave me some great info, thank you.

Thank you for this Derek, I had a rough idea of how my NCE system could be expanded but I really didn't have a full understanding like I do now, so thank you very much for this!

Great video. My layout is DC only right now but recently decided to go with the power cab because I have a couple of recent engine purchases were DCC / DC. But could not access to all the features. So my layout will be both DC and DCC. I have about a dozen DCC locomotives that I will finally hear all the sounds. I also decided to go with the SB5 and your video made my decision that much easier. Thanks for the great info.

OK Problem has been solved, i called NCE and it has to do with the CONSIST set up, what happens is the SB5 see's the ACTUAL consist 3 digit address and NOT the engine address you have assigned thru the PCP, once you know the ACTUAL consist number, for instance 126, thats what you call up when plugged into the SB5. Trains are running now as they should. Thank you for this GREAT video.

Just got mine, wow is it light, but it works great, i didn't need the instructions after watching this video. Thanks

Excellent explanation of the system. I purchased the power cab, and as an N scaler, probably won't need the booster, but your vid certainly detailed the benefits of an upgrade.

your videos r the reason I bought the power cab system, great videos you helped explain alot.

Good job! It helped me to understand the upgrade to the booster. Thanks.

thank you this has made it a lot simpler to under stand .When my layout is finished i will need a SB5 ithink again thank you

very informative. one thing though, I had my NCE system for about a year before I got the booster. when I installed it none of my locos would run. so I called NCE and they told me that if I had locos set up in a consit I had to clear them and then re-enter them and that fixed the problem. just FYI

Thanks for doing this video. It has helped me a lot in which system I am gonna go to.

Great video and very detailed. I started with NCE about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. I couldn't find a lot of info on how to. Wish I had seen something the way you explained it. I'm using with 2 dumb boosters and I run consists with multiple locos. Again, Great instructional video! NCE should pay you and use your video!

Thanks for this Deryk, it was exactly what I needed! All the best. Andy UK

Thanks for the info. I have been trying to decide which power system to use. This video helped a lot in my decision. I don't have a huge layout but want the convenience of mobility without power shut down.

This was great! thanks very much. i have the power cab installed and working but need extra power. i just got the SB5 and am gong to install ASAP.

Deryk, that is probably the best video you have done. GREAT info!! This applies perfectly to me as I also use the Power Cab. I just added the SB5 to my wish list. I have a couple spots on my layout that I can't reach with the standard setup and it would be great to be able to move the throttle around the layout. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with this…

Thank you for the video. I found it to be very informative. I am looking at the NCE system for my layout. Thanks for sharing, David

You were correct stating 3 reasons for the SB5 1: no need to keep power cab plugged in 2: upgrade in power to layout so more engines can be on the layout 3: ability to have more cabs connected up to 6 If you ever will have more than 6 cabs the. You have to upgrade to the powerhouse command station. Great video! You explain things very well.

Thanks for the video, Deryk. You can actually use either cable with the Power Cab when it's used in conjunction with the SB5. The coily coil is handier because it stays compact by design. With the 7' 6-contact cable it would be more apt to drag on the floor and become a trip hazard. The Power Cab doesn't care either way. However, it is important - as you pointed out - when the Power Cab is used as a stand-alone system.

Thanks so much for your video mate its explained all the answers to the questions I had to making my layout bigger. 👍👍👏😁

Great video! Ill be posting some of my O scale Norfolk Southern Monongahela Line soon.

Great tutorial Deryk! I really appreciate this video. I think that this will probably be our next DCC upgrade as I'd mentioned earlier. I've really only used one other DCC system and that's the Digitrax Super Empire Builder. Essentially it's the comparable version to this setup, and I really like being able to plug and unplug and have trains keep running. There's something fun about having to walk around a layout and hopefully you have a lot of fun operating! -Cam

Brilliant video. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work... Ross

Thanks for sharing. Very good explanation of the differences.

Awesome Deryk! I use a Lenz system and it has Booster/Command station which is separate from the throttles. I guess the main difference is the NCE Power Cab has a lot more features. I started out in DCC with an Atlas System years ago and the Lenz system was a natural upgrade however if I was new to DCC I would definitely go with NCE because it really is the most user friendly system out there. Great informative video!

super video dude ... i am using the hornby elite dcc controller at the moment ...... now i will be changing to this system now you have explained how easy this will be to connect ...... thanks 👍👍👍👍

This was a fantastic video I learned allot.

Great job, this is video is very helpful when I wire my power cab. Also thank you for Bills web page, he's working on my track plan. 👍😀

Very helpful. Thanks for doing this!

Thanks for sharing .. great video..thinking about getting that system for my first HO layout and putting in on my O gauge base and getting rid of the O gauge stuff. .

Great video Deryk, very informative! I liked how you explained everything very clearly. Unlike my videos I really need to work on rehearsing mine. I always get tounge tied or go blank lol.

Very cool video. Keep it up! Thanks for sharing

Deryk, Just I am a new subscriber to you Utube group. with that said I just finished watching your FP40 project videos parts 1 & 2 which I liked. I Just wanted to say well done.... I have watched many many of your videos and have found them a real bonus, and though my railroad is N scale because of greatly reduced space limitations I still find many of your ways of doing thing in HO still pertain to my N Scale endeavors . I am working on a layout that I hope will capture the flavor of SP and UP railroading in the Cascades. time will tell. Will be following all your new posts and going back to review many of your older offerings. So my friend Keep up the excellent work andI will be looking for you further down the track. Bill in Irwin, Pa

I got an education tonight, thanks for this video.

Excellent tutorial. Thank-you...

Amazing video how to Deryk!! Lots of useful information. Anytime I can learn more about DCC I am better off for it! Your delivery and method of explaining all the connections was superb!!! Thanks for posting this...

Great vid!!! I think your best one so far.

Just buying one, glad I found your video. Spot on helpful. Thanks, Paul at Sandling Junction. Ps just subbed you .

Thank you! Very helpful!

Thanks for the information.

Very informative I have a NCE system which I like alot.

Great video Deryk. This is exactly what I am planning to do........David(UK)

I have DIGATRAX AND Im eletriction so I understand what ur saying. Instead of buying all them RJ 12 I would make my own . Tks for the VEDIO ur doing exly the way DIGATRAX SAYS ABOUT IT.

Excellent video. Thank you.

Hey great video!! Yes you can just plug in the USB interface into the booster - or any of the jacks you plug a cab into. Because the system treats the USB interface as any other throttle.

@DG Modelworks you CAN have a program track! There is a little chip you can buy from NCE that goes between the track out on the booster and the track, and it divides up the signal and tells the controller that there is a program track port, allowing you to use its program track function.

cool demonstration of the NCE Controlstuff ! We use Digitrax

I upgraded to the SB5 for the ability to have the walk around. Even though I have a small layout and will only have 3 panels at the most and will have one or two friends who will be able to operate as well.

Great job!

Great video very informative and helpful great to watch it. Jim Kammerer.

Great video thank you I just bought one and I can’t figure this out so the PCP panel I have I won’t be using that anymore and I have to buy UTP panel so this will work correctly

brilliant thanks this really helps me thanks

Great video my man! Well done. Again made it look easy. Very cool video. Keep it up! Later, John

First off, GREAT video, D. VERY useful information here. Even answered a couple of my questions I had about the system. Any particular reason you chose not to go with the wireless controller other than cost? Second, looking around during your video, I noticed well, I think i noticed you have concrete floors in the room? I would (after the layout is done of course) put some carpet down there even if it's just piece-mealed together. It's amazing what a few pieces of carpet can do for you to help keep some heat in the room and plus it' would be better for your feet as well instead of the cold hard concrete all the time. I have done this in my writing office, and it has helped tremendously. It doesn't fill up the whole room but only a portion and I just went to the local carpet place and ask if they had any scraps of carpet they were going to throw away...man you would NOT BELIEVE the amount you can come home with...it's almost scary. Anywho, GREAT GREAT vid on this one buddy. Looking forward to the next one! Best, John

Well done!

Great information, the best I have seen on the SB5! Just to clarify the UTP panels form the SB5 do not need to be powered independently like the original panel on the Power Cab?

I'm using the NCE power cab

thanks, great job but I have a question. I will have a 5X9 N gauge and I will be the only operator. At most I will run 4 trains max. As such do you think I will need a SB5 smart booster? I willl also have a couple of turnouts working via my power cab. Thanks

THE VID IS ( HOW TO USE DC AND DCC ON THE SAME LAYOUT ) JAN. 19. 2015 WHICH HE TALKS ABOUT THE AUTO SWITCH FOR NCE. LOOK IT UP . TKS A LOT.

Deryk, thanks for this and your other great videos. They are really helpful, and I really appreciate them. A question: This video suggests that you have not divided your layout up into power districts. That is, I don't see a CP6 with bus wires running to separate areas of the layout. Do you feel this isn't necessary on your layout? (When finished, my layout will fill up the better part of a 10' by 12' room, and I have been planning on dividing it up into 4 power districts.) Thanks again for your great videos. ...Roy

I need to order those panels, but they stock one works just pull out power supply plug and hook up just like you showed and it works.

I have 2 Broadway Limited E8'S lashed up, that's all I have running the non sound dcc run ok , but the e8 's start and stop , do you think I need more track voltage?

You've actually gave more than three reasons. Quite importantly to many people, moving from the PowerCab to the Smart Booster 5, the unplugging 3:50 and replugging while your train keeps rolling is key. With a large layout, you'd need a brakeman to flip manual switches with a Power Cab, or, you'd have to stop your train every time you switch and uncouple if you were alone. And, furthermore, you can now obtain a UTP CAT5 Panel that allows one to use CAT5 cables... used for previous internet computer connections. You may need to update your RJ12/Accessory Link to: www.midwestmodelrr.com/product-category/dcc-2/dcc-accessories/ Just an extra step/click.

Nice review and description! the SB5 is definitely the best, and the natural first upgrade for the Power Cab. Operations ARE a little easier when your Power Cab becomes a Pro Cab, essentially, and doesn't always have to be plugged in. IMHO, you could even expand your original Power Cab some more, with one or two DB5 "Dumb Boosters". After that - if you need more than 15 continuous amps.... It may be time for some rewiring on your HOUSE! :O

The NCE/USB dose have some limitations but from what i see that you are doing at the moment i dont think it would affect you unless you plan to use something like the AIU-01

deryk, great how to video

On you UTP panels that go around your layout, do you need to have extra wall warts plugged in or can you just have them running like you show in this video

About the 13:38 mark you talk about how you cut your bus in half to mount your power cab halfway through. Do you have a diagram for that?

Thanks for the info! How many locomotives were you able to run at once with the original Power Cab alone and at what speed? Have any lighted or sound cars? Planning a new layout and trying to determine how much power (amps) it will really need based on real world measurements and not assumptions!

Have a quick ?, Just received my pro cab an hooked all as shown with my ESU/ DCC Ferromex an it keeps bringing up something about CV? Was wondering be if I could get some tips or info on what I need to do. Thanks an much appreciated.

When daisy chaining the UTPs, do you use a 6P6C (six-wire) flat cable between each UTP? Or, do you only need 4P4C (four-wire) cables since the track power is provided by the SB5?

Great job my friend! Don't be sorry :D

some of my trains work in the wrong direction on powercab have not work out how to change cv for this Help

Did you check the option to use wireless for moving round the layout? Saves a lot on wiring. Depends on the system used I guess. Robert.

Can I get more information on the bus lines I'm new to this whole DCC thing and I need a understanding on bus lines and feeders thanks

Will this add speed to the locos? with my power cab trains are just slow.

Thank you very much for the video. I recently purchased a SB5 for pretty much the same reasons as you did. I have a question....are you using any NCE EB1 circuit breakers in your layout? I have a couple of reverse loops which use PSX-AR reverse control boards and they have circuit breakers built. The NCE literature recommends circuit breakers in addition to the SB5 so I was going to use some in the blocks/sections that are not protected by the PSX-ARs. What are your thoughts about the use of external circuit breakers like the EB1s?

thanks

Once you program on a track separated from the mainline, which has the booster, is the info you changed on the loco still retained once go from program (pro cab) to mainline (booster)? Trying to start my own layout once I'm finally home. I want to buy NCE CB's but no one has a video on how you would set them up or separate into districts. Do you need 2 for each district? One on each end?

Well I am having an issue, I have it plugged in directly to the unit and I can turn on the lights to the locos, but when I throttle up.....Nothing! I can't get them to move. I def have power on the track because if I didn't I would NOT be able to control the headlights. I am using the curly cord and NOT the flat cord, so I know I am doing it correctly. Could it be that I have the locos set up as a consist? I doubt it, but just wondering.

Great video. I'm just getting into N Scale and still waiting on my powercab to arrive. I am considering getting a SB5 to use to power my LGB layout. Any reason you didn't go for a wireless option?