Will new Minitrix DCC loco's work with NCE Powercab?

I'm trying to find out if I can use my NCE Powercab to operate a 2018 vintage Minitrix steam loco, and the many DCC features like lights and sounds on it.

 

Don't see why not. Is there something special about Minitrix steam, like it eats >2 amps?

 

I asked NCE and they said it would certainly move but the various functions like lights and sounds may or may not. They had no idea. DE vs US implantation of similar systems. I asked a large importer and they said it would void the warranty, no refunds, only Trix or Marklin controllers guaranteed. So I was asking here in case someone has that combination.

 

That is what I was told by NCE, thanks! It’s worth a try. Worse case scenario is I ask for a Trix DCC starter set for my birthday.

 

Received my Minitrix 16011, 4-6-2 steam 01 118. Beautiful loco! It works fine with my Powercab. The Minitrix manual defines 21 DCC controllable functions and they all work as designed.
There are some curious things that may be normal I just have no experience. For example some functions require a single press of the button, like a whistle blast, and every time you press the button it is triggered. Other functions are triggered by a button press and stay on until turned off by pressing the button again, like lights or running sounds. A third case is when pressing the button you get a soundtrack, after the soundtrack ends the next time the button is pressed you will not hear anything, I guess the second button press resets or shuts off the sound that had already ended, the next press starts the cycle again, a station announcement is an example of this. Finally there are some functions that I don't understand and don't appear to do anything, they are: ABV, off / Sound effect: squealing brakes, off (I haven't heard brakes squealing yet) / and Sound Fade, off. But I don't mind. The sounds are pretty loud and very realistic to my ears!
I have not assigned a long address yet, I'm scared to! LOL

 

The beauty of the original system was that there was a standard that allowed all systems to work on all things like decoders. I'm not surprised this is breaking down. I suspect the voiding the warranty thing is just plain BS and a feeble attempt to extract more money out of you.
And the fact that all functions would not be guaranteed to work is a failing of the original plans for DCC, or the ability of the NMRA to police things..

The idea of a common standard is an important thing, that has made our society great. Suppose you had to buy a different TV to watch ABC, NBC CBS or
PBS. LIsten for the screaming. But greedy manufacturers want their stuff to be all proprietary (Example Apple). There's a way to get more money out of all your customers. The only way to stop the foolishness is for consumers to not buy things that don't adhere to the standard.

 

You are correct! I was a bit put off by the "no warranty!" answer I got when I called MMM and personally asked if it would be compatible. There is even a statement on the shipping receipt that says "We do not guarantee will be compatible with your DCC system...this unit uses standard DCC protocols...before opening box...sales are final, no returns or exchanges". Anyway, that got my attention! These babies are expensive. Its all good though, it worked! And I can sort of appreciate the dealer point of view. I'll bet lots of people have troubles of their own creation with DCC. And why should a simple shop owner be responsible for manufacturer adherence to standards? MMM is a huge outfit and often has the best prices too. I never got any of that nonsense buying basic Z scale stuff from them, it is definitely a DCC thing. Of course while the DCC worked the smokestack was crushed and the operating smoke box door just falls off its hinges, LOL, No refunds!! but after a lot of Z scale experience I know how to fix stuff! I got right to work and mended both of those things. I guess that is it for this thread