I just got my very first DCC system and I plugged it in to find the power supply doesn’t work. I haven’t even connected it to the track yet. I’m so upset right now that I want to toss it into the street and run it over a couple of times with my truck. That’s probably the only pleasure I’m going to get out of this piece of crap. Where is quality control and don’t anybody test anything anymore?mad:
Have you tried contacting the merchant you bought it from or NCE itself (I assume you mean NCE, not NEC)? All the quality control in the world can sometimes still produce the same result. Perhaps this one got dropped by a shipper.
See there, I’m so disappointed I even spelled it wrong. I haven’t contacted them yet, but I’m sure it’s going to be sending everything back with shipping fees and then waiting two or three weeks for a replacement.
To avoid that, you might try calling them first to see if there is some little thing that either wasn't covered in the manual or that they won't just send you a new one. The NCE power supply has a switch on it, if I am recalling the right one. That might be worth a look. I don't want to sound like one of those turkeys who points out the obvious, but I was once one of those turkeys who once nearly tossed a whole computer in the trash thinking the power supply had fried (I had already checked the breaker and the outlet) when he noticed that someone or something had tripped the mini breaker on the power strip. I had puzzled over that one for a while. I have Digitrax so I don't know much more that can help you, but there are other NCE users here and someone might have an idea. Adam
There isn’t a switch. It’s the little power supply that comes with the PowerCab. I plugged it into the wall and verified it with my fluke meter. It’s dead. I was looking for another power supply just to see if anything else works, but I don’t have anything with the same plug. I’m going to send an email. That’s one of the problems with ordering stuff from websites. You can’t walk in and return it the same day.
No, NCE isn't a piece of crap, its one of the top 2 or 3 major systems and well liked. Either you are doing something wrong or you might have gotten a bad unit. Don't write off the brand, every company has an occasional dud, as long as they make it right thats what counts. I am confident NCE stands behind their products.
I would call this scenario a DOA (dead on arrival). Most likely a factory defect; however damage during shipping is also possible. In either case I can more readily accept that. What I refer to as crap is when something breaks down shortly after the warrantee is up. Now I have to buy it all over again and believe me it won’t be from the same company. Jerry
I do believe it’s a manufacture defect. There is no way it’s from shipping. I’ve been in Wisconsin all week and just flew back today. I’ve been up since 3AM Wisconsin time (1 AM local time, so I’m pretty tired and irritable right now. I’m sure I’ll feel better about it tomorrow. Anyway I found an old power supply from a cell phone charger that has the same specs as the NCE power supply and the plug almost fits. I’m going to go to radio shack and see if I can find a plug that fits. I just want to know if the rest of it works.
NCE doesn't mfg the power supply. They probably take it right of the carton and pack it with the unit. I am in the cable business we get brand new converters right out of the box dead. I know it is a pain but NCE is a good company.
Easy Sleeper. Call the retailer, see if they will not ship you a new power supply. Get your defective unit shipped back to them. Have them bill you until defective unit is received by them. See if they will not make up shipping cost. Most people will help you out if you give them the chance. NCE crap?? NO WAY!! Every once in awhile something will slip through the cracks. I have had my Power Cab for over three years and never have had a problem. BTW did you check the 110 volt outlet just to make sure there is power?
The PSU for the PowerCab is particular to the PowerCab - it has a specific plug and has inbuilt short circuit protection. It is not available solely with the PowerCab and can be purchase separately, so there is a possibility your vendor has a new PSU on the shelf to replace it. Once you get the PSU sorted, and some sleep, you will gain great pleasure. In this day and age electronics are batch tested - they take a few from each batch, test, and if they work and are within tolerance the whole batch is. Unfortunately, there may be some in that batch that are defective and are not the ones chosen for test.
I just got back from Radio Shack with a plug that fits and soldered it to the old Cell phone charger power supply. I’m happy to say that the Power Cab is working, but now I got to wait until I hear from NCE.
Johnny, be very wary of short circuits using other than the official power supply. If something goes wrong, and you fry the PowerCab, you will likely not be covered by warranty.
How did you discover the power supply was dead? I ask because some think its dead because the Powercab will not run trains not realizing it must be plugged in to the correct throttle plug. Also the six wire flat cable must be used as the extra two wires carry the tracks power. I know I may be pointing out the obveous but sometime the obveous is what trips us up.
One more item to keep in mind. When learning DCC be patient. You may fry a few decoders before figuring out some of it. This is why so many manufacturers have great warranties.
I made very sure that I have the same power, but I’m not going to do anything with it until I hear from NCE. I just wanted to be sure that everything else works. I was reading some of their manuals on line and in the UTP Panel PDF Manual they recommend going to RadioShack to buy a power supply. If I have to send the entire set to them, the shipping charges will be more than a new power supply. I’ve bought items that were defective before, that shipping was more than the item was worth and they just sent me the defective part. I once had a broken USB antenna for a keyboard and all I had to do was email a copy of my receipt along with a photo of the serial no. If it is going to cost me too much and take too long for a replacement, I’ll have to do it my way. I hooked it up exactly as it said in the Manual, except that I didn’t connect to the track. (I didn’t want cut the Unitrack connectors of the track wires to connect before knowing how it worked.) When it didn’t do anything I thought it was the extension cord so I plugged in a light and that worked so I got my meter out to verify that it didn’t work.
Ive read all the comments on this thread. I bought a MRC Prodigy Express. It worked for a while and the power cord went bad. I thought was my immagination until I noticed the green power indicator light on the power cord box to the outlet suddenly fade out. I tapped it a few times and it came back on until finally it stopped all together. I called MRC they offered to replaced it. They had problems with defective power cords. They were cordial and eventually I upgraded to the MRC Advance Squared for the money difference. I sent them my Prodigy Express and they forwarded me an Advanced Squared System. It was worth the wait and money difference.
Contact NCE or your dealer by phone or email. NCE is a good company and will make good as soon as they know there is a problem. I'm pretty sure NCE doesn't monitor this forum to see if anyone is having trouble with their stuff. (Although I have seen a few posts by Jim Scorse on the Atlas forum)
That is for the CabBus power, essentially to amplify the signal over longer CabBus runs. It does not connect to the PowerCab/PowerHousePro systems itself.
