What are my options when I "outgrow" my PowerCab? I just need more power - not more function. All those lighted passenger cars and consists are starting to overwhelm the PowerCab. Is there an add on that can give more power? Regards,
I think you can get a SB3A which works with the Power Cab it adds 3 amps. Here is the link that commented on it.
While I haven't gotten to that point I did contact NCE about upgrade options for the Power Cab a few months ago. According to the reply, there are two ways to increase the power to the Power Cab. The first is the Smart Booster SB3A, as mentioned, that wil give you 3 Amps and allow for the throttle to be disconnected and moved to another panel on the layout while the system remains running. The SB is a cab controller in addition to a power booster but doesn't necessarily add functions. There used to be a 3 Amp "Dumb" booster that will add power but the cab has to stay connected to the original port to remain active. The second option is to turn the Power Cab to a Pro Cab using the CS02 command station and the PB105 5 Amp booster. They also indicated that the Power Cab could use the PB105 directly but would need to remain plugged in also. Then the CS02 could be added later for "unplugged" operations. Basically, the Power Cab could be upgraded a piece at a time to a full Wireless ProCab (CS02 plus RB02 Radio Base Station and return the throttle to NCE for the radio upgrade, with whatever PB combination to up the amperage) when money and time permitted.
The new NCE SB3A will give you 5 amps. When they upgraded to the new boosters it went to 5 amps. You can recall up to 6 locomotives with your Power Cab throttle, when using the SB3A. You need to change the throttle settings when you get the SB3A so you can recall more than the two the Power Cab has. If you have a older Power Cab unit you might have to upgrade the chip to a newer version. 1.28C or better The SB3A will also work with most reverse loop modules. The first SB3's would not. I have had mine several months now and love it. You will need to get a new power supply too. Take a look at a DCC Specialties for the power supply. About $50.00 if you look around. I found one for $44.95 And if you are going to get the SB3A unit you can get the power supply and booster shipped to you free from http://www.litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/index.htm They ship free with orders over $75.00. That is a good deal when you look at the weight of the SB3a and the power supply.
A woodone wrote, the SB3A will provide 5A and allow up to 6 recalls per throttle (4 throttles maximum). The recall number can be set in the command station menu from memory. Note, by adding the SB3A to the system, the PowerCab ceases being a PowerCab and becomes a ProCab - it is essentially a mini PowerHouse Pro system. The PowerCab's PCP and power supply is removed and a UTP put in the PCP's place. The now redundant PCP and power supply can be moved to the workbench or test track and used as a PowerCab arrangement for testing and programming off layout. As jnevis wrote, the CS-02 is a further upgrade to full PowerHouse Pro functionality with 63 addresses. The CS-02 becomes the command station portion and uses the SB3A as it's booster.
