Is it finally power booster time?

gcav17 Oct 18, 2016

  1. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    I got a twenty five foot cable today so I can walk around my layout easier. The issue of power now is that it is greatly reduced. And what's funnier is the sounds work at the speed indicated on my display. But the motor is less than half speed. When I try to run 2 locos it even gets worse.
    I am using NCE and the cable is a RJ12 for NCE UTP. I got this off of the bay from a hobby dealer. I have over 250 foot of track with feeders every three foot. Is it time for a booster? Or do I need to figure something else out?


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  2. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    If you have the starter set I recommend adding the sb5 power booster. More power and adds the capability to unplug your throttle from one spot and plug it in elsewhere without your train stopping. Best improvement I've made.
     
  3. CSX Robert

    CSX Robert TrainBoard Member

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    Are you using a Power Cab? If so, then I would recommend not using a cable longer than the one that came with it. With the Power cab, track power runs through the cab, which means every foot of cable adds two feet to the track bus (power supply to cab + cab to track). The wire in the cable is also smaller than what people generally use for the track bus. By using a 25' cable, you effectively added 36 feet of small gauge wire to your track bus, a recipe for voltage drop.

    You do need to get a Smart Booster (or a Power Pro System, which would be more money). You could then either add plugins to be able to move your cab around the layout, or you could keep using your 25' cable because the track power would not be flowing through it.
     
  4. RedRiverRR4433

    RedRiverRR4433 TrainBoard Member

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    You need a power booster.

    Staying cool and having fun with it.......:cool::cool:

    Shades
     
  5. mfm_37

    mfm_37 TrainBoard Member

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    Guessing you have an NCE PowerCab. Unfortunately the Powercab uses the cord as a power supply wire to the track. The factory supplied cord is about as long as it can be to avoid significant voltage drop. So upgrading with a smart booster will allow you to use a longer cord on the throttle. It is actually upgrading because the hand held unit will become a Procab throttle and the SB5 will be controlling and powering the layout.
    Or you can add a throttle which would allow using a longer cord on the second throttle or add a wireless throttle and receiver and forget the cord. lots of options...

    Martin Myers
     
  6. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Yep it's the power cab set. I figured I might be having voltage problems. The throttle seems to get warmer than usual. Plus I am running power through a lot of track.
    I though about wireless but want to give this a chance.
    Will I be able to move my existing port somewhere else for another operator? That would be fun.
    Any other suggestions for the sb5?

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  7. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    I like the idea of the SB5 but if you are considering wireless then a full featured system might be more satisfying if money is not a big issue. This would relegate your very capable Powercab to programing and it can be used as a throttle on the new system. I had a 13x15 L shaped layout and added an extra long 6 wire curly cord so I could stay close to my trains when the Powercab was the command station.

    I added the SB3 after powering my layout with the Powercab for a couple years. My SB3, Powercab, and three Cab04's were in service for 10 gratifying years.

    Bottom line, yes you likely need more power.
     
  8. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Another option is a dumb booster (DB3,5) or other booster like the Tam Valley booster. This could power the layout but the Powercab would still act as the command station with all the restrictions that go with it.
     
  9. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    So am I to understand that if I am running locomotive # 1 on the main, and need to unplug to go get locomotive #2 into a siding on the other side, I can unplug the powered cab and the locomotives will continue to run ? That's is intriqueing..

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  10. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    Yes. It will continue to run until you plug back in and tell it to do something else. Be careful!
     
  11. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    That's good news.. I wanted to go wireless at first but have since changed my mind.. I think this is the way to go for me.

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  12. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Alrighty then. I picked up a UTP panel and have this 25 foot of cord. If I use that cord to hook up my UTP panel to the main panel, will I still have the same power issue? The UTP panel say I can hook another 12-14 volt power source into it. If I need more juice will that be enough? Or should I still go with the booster if I need it?
    So many dang questions I know..
     
  13. CSX Robert

    CSX Robert TrainBoard Member

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    Did you get a Smart Booster or another cab? If not, then this won't work. The Powercab has to be plugged in to the PCP (Powercab Panel), you can not plug it into a UTP unless you are using it as a Pro Cab with another command station.
     
  14. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Oops.... Yes I also have a CAB06 to use at the UTP panel. The power cab will be my main power source .

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  15. CSX Robert

    CSX Robert TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, in that case it should work fine as is.
     
  16. mfm_37

    mfm_37 TrainBoard Member

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    The added 12 - 14 volt power supply mentioned in the UTP manual is to power throttles when they are plugged into the panel. It does not add power to your layout. Without the external power supply, your Powercab will be the power source for extra throttles. Best thing to do is try it out. It should work but if you start having difficulty, add the power supply. A fresh set of batteries in the throttle will also keep the throttle from drawing excess power from your cab bus.

    Martin Myers
     

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