Might be worth looking on ebay for the NCE also. Since those would be on-hand items ready to ship. I heard the NCE's have a 4-week wait.
Im trying to find out: 1) if the NCE 5 amp boost can be used with NCE PowerCab 2) or better yet, if two NCE 3 amp Boosters can be used with PowerCab - if so, would that give a total of 6 amps? And if so, could one Magna Force MF615 6 amp power supply ($36) power both? I would think so if you hook them up in parallel so they would split the current. Plus with two 3 amp boosters, I could district and split the power so there is not 5 or more amps on the tracks to weld things in case of derailments. I would split somethinng like one 3 amp for the mainlines, one 3 amp for the yard/turntable/shortline. That way, if there is a derailment, does not shut the whole layout down. I don't know if I will need that much power (6 amps) but I'd like to plan smart for it in case I do. Two 3 amp smart boosters ($55 ea.) are cheaper than the one 5 amp booster ($124). and if you can share the Magna Force MF615 power supply, then I'd get that for $36 vs the smaller powersupply they sell for $24 for the one 3 amp booster. I plan to have a large/longer mainline with two trains on it - one MU of 3 units & one single unit. then 2 other smaller mainlines with one or two short trains running on them, plus the yard, plus a mountain logging/mining short line. so I may need the 6 amps. I also like the most bang for my buck. [ February 27, 2006, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Kozmo ]
Having used the Lenz LH 100 handheld for almost seven years, I finds it very compact, easy to use and all you need to a run a layout with DCC. I like the LH 100 so much, I bought two extra LH100 handhelds for visitors to use when they come over for an operating session. What more do you need for a handheld device? Sometimes " Less is more" . Stay cool and run steam......
I have to agree with Bob here. The interfaces on the Lenz controllers (not JUST the LH100) are a lot less cluttered than fully functional interfaces from other manufacturers. Lenz achieves this by using a menu system instead of having a button for every function the throttle can do. The menus take a little while to get used to, but for normal operations you only need to dig into the address selection. (and for the record, I have 2 LH90s, an Atlas Commander (which is sold by Lenz outside the US as the Compact), an Atlas Hand Command (outside the us, the Lenz LH30), a Roco LocoMouse II, and 2 Lenz XPAs that I use as throttles with my systems). Paul
Actuall, Lenz is very competitive feature wise. And unlike some other companies, new features are frequently added by only upgrading software, not adding additional hardware to the system. You know, I've heard some people have the exact oposite reaction to the Lenz throttles. This just goes to show, the most important thing when it comes to selecting a DCC system is not all the bells and whistles the system has, but the user interface it provides. The bottom line is if you're not comfortable with the user interface, you're never going to actually use all the features your system provides. Paul
I got an email back from NCE about PowerCab. I wrote first, then they replied: 1) No it does not add the three amps. The Smart Booster is rated at 3 amps with a 4 amp peak. 2) No, the circuitry in the Power Cab will not survive 5 amps. 3) We will have two different Smart boosters. One is the Smart Booster you will need first. Then you can add additional 3 amp not so smart boosters to it. Larry Larsen NCE Customer Service Rated 3 amps with 4 amp peak sounds even better. I'm thinking that the 3 amp smart booster unit replaces the existing 1.7 amp booster that comes with PowerCab? and that is why you only end up with 3 amps by adding a 3 amp booster. so the 1.7 stock booster and power supply get chucked? or it is not a true 3 amp booster, but a 1.3 amp booster. It would be nice if they offered a "Powercab plus" or something: The now released $140 street price PowerCab with 1.7 amps. which is great for small layouts and programming Then add a $190? street price PowerCab with 3.5 or 4 amps? Actually, if you look at the digitrax superchief, the price difference between 5 amp & 8 amp versions is like $20. So why the heck is it so much to add 3-5 amps to these systems. I guess that is how they get you to pay for the next step up or boosters/power supplies But right now their next step up is $390! that is quite a jump gap between systems $140-$390. [ February 28, 2006, 09:17 AM: Message edited by: Kozmo ]
Just a correction from earlier, the Prodigy Advance comes with a 3.5A supply. No need for an additional supply or booster to get to 3A. The Express comes with a 1.6A supply. You can also upgrade an Express to Advance features just by purchasing the Advance handheld and the handheld port panel/splitter. It works out to just over $200 to have an Express system with 2 cabs and Advance features. You won't have the 3.5A output thought but for a small system it would be fine.
Tony, There has been alot of discussion regarding the Prodigy Advanced and whether it comes with a 3.5A or 2.5A rating. Tony's Trains seems to think it was originally supposed to comes with a 3.5A rating but MRC later lowered the rating after they were produced. It's would be nice to know matter of fact what the rating actually is.
What I have read from a few different sources: Originally it was supposed to be 3.5 amps. the system can handle output 3.5 amps with a larger power supply. The power supply they sell with the PA will only provide 2.5 amps. so if you want 3.5 amps, spend the $36 for the recommended power supply. - see tonys trains or www.litchfieldstation.com extra throttle is only $64! Another words, for some reason, MRC is supplying a lame power supply (money saving? had lots left from something else?) resulting in losing 1 amp as a result. Maybe they finally changed the power supply?, and that is why the price jumped $20 at most places? if you didn't notice, the cheapest place was www.litchfieldstation.com for $175 but they now are $195. I beleive Tony's price looks higher too. I added things up: I want about 6 amps split into 2 districts. and I will use DCC sound so I need a programming booster with all but PowerCab. It looks like The PA would cost me ~$399 with extra booster, uprated PS, programming booster. no current meter, no computer control/USB, no feedback. - 6 amps The NCE PowerCab with extra Boosters would be ~$289 and has current meter, has computer control/USB, and has feedback. but No nice PA knob adn only recall depth of 2 (which is silly IMO) - 6 amps The Digitrax Chief would cost me $382, including a PS (does not come with one), programming booster, No current meter, No software update!, not as user friendly interface, older. - 5 amps. add ~$20 for 8 amps. I did try a chief at a trainshow - friendly HO club and seemed fine. but I didn't use it alot. ran 2 trains at once on one track, blew whistles, rang bells. Display was better than photos online. Most clubs use digitrax, so there would be a bonus if I joined a club, being familiar and having a handheld to use. But about the only DCC system no software update. hmm.
Which sound decoders? You don't need the programming booster for most of them, and some systems don't need them at all. Just as an example, with a Lenz LZV100 based system, you can program the BLI decoders with just a 10ohm resistor in series with the programming track. You can program the Tsunami decoders without ANY booster in the programming circuit. Paul
Which sound decoders? You don't need the programming booster for most of them, and some systems don't need them at all. Just as an example, with a Lenz LZV100 based system, you can program the BLI decoders with just a 10ohm resistor in series with the programming track. You can program the Tsunami decoders without ANY booster in the programming circuit. Paul </font>[/QUOTE]I have read many including Tsunami need the programming booster. or is that because they have 2 decoders? in the one loco? power in loco and sound in tender or boxcar.
I was going off the product specs that we just got at our shop. MRC just sent some nice full color folders with a good comparison between the Express and Advance. They are advertising it as coming with a 3.5A supply now. We have one due in at our shop, when it gets there, I will check the power supply to confirm. I think they are on Back Order from the distributor right now.
Soundtraxx sells a booster for the Tsunami, but everyone I've talked to about these say the booster isn't necessary. There is also a booster called the PowerPax that was brought out shortly after the QSI decoders were released. The basic problem with the QSI decoders is that they have capacitors that need to charge before you can program them. The PowerPax helps with this. On a Lenz system, QSI decoders read as though they are shorting because of the charge cycle. The resistor slows down the short circuit detection, giving the capacitors time to charge. Paul
One of the places that I read a booster is helpful/needed. http://www.tonystrains.com/download/df-powercab-rev.pdf $50 for a booster. yes you can add one to other DCC systems, but that raises their price $50.
Powersteamguy1790, Since you too are N scale, have you needed a booster for any of your sound decoders? or at all? Tony's Trains speaks of needing one for reading the CVs on a Tsunami.
