I am becoming part of a modular group that uses NCE as its primary control, and while a lot of what I know from my years with Digitrax is applicable, some is not. I am hoping to get a few questions answered here. I have never really gotten into this Digitrax-NCE, Ford-Chevy, Yankees-WhoeverIsPlayingtheYankees debate on DCC systems in any way other than to say they all basically accomplish the same thing. My experience is primarily with Digitrax. I know one thing that a lot of NCE users do not like about Digitrax is the amount of documentation. I have to say that I prefer lots to very little, and the manual for my Cab06p throttle, which I have read, leaves me wondering a few things. 1) Is this thing capable of operating switches controlled by such components as the NCE Switch-It? For that matter, if I have a Digitrax DS-64 controlling switches will that also work? It seems capable of controlling accessories, but what I don't know is whether a Switch-It is considered a Cab06p operable accessory in NCE Land. 2) How do I open the battery compartment? I give up. What's the trick to getting it open? I see the little tabs, and no matter what I do with them the throttle sits there laughing at my feeble attempts. If I am not running radio, do I even need batteries? 3) That funny little micro-chip that came in the box is for updating a command station, right? I need not worry about it unless I ever pick up an older NCE command station, right? I have to say, this is a nice little throttle. I was looking for the equivalent of the Digitrax UT-4 and this seems to be just about the closest thing. I will probably have some more questions about the Switch-It once I have finished re-reading that manual. Thanks in advance for your help, Adam
Hi Adam - I am an NCE user, but I do not know the answers to your questions because I use only the NCE PowerCab. You will probably receive answers right here on this forum, but if you don't, I strongly recommend the NCE-DCC Group at Yahoo. It is a tremendously helpful resource. - Jeff
I am also a NCE Power Cab User. The chip is for an upgrade, there isn't any battery compartment it has to be taken apart. It will control turnouts.
I will just hang onto the chip in case I ever come by a cheap, old NCE command station. There is something on the back that looks like a battery compartment, but if it won't open and it's not necessary anyway I will just ignore it. I am happy this will control turnouts.
I believe they use the same case for many versions of cab and IIRC you can get standard NCE cabs upgraded to radio at which time the battery compartment would become operational. They may have locked it from inside at present so that people don't insert an unnecessary battery (which would then be forgotten, die, leak and knacker the cab ... ). Don't know for sure about accessory control, but I'd be surprised, shocked even, if it didn't do that.
