RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted July 12, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) Has anyone using NCE Power Cab tried, or is using, the DCC Concepts 18.2 Series power supply rather than the lower powered NCE supply? DCC Concepts say* they use this higher power source as it drives trains a little faster. I have no reason to think this would be bad for the CAB, however I would like confirmation from a user of a full layout if possible. * https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/nce-power-supply-for-powercab/ https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/18v-dc-2a-eu-medical-grade-power-supply-for-dc-dcc-systems-2-5mm-dc-plug/ Many thanks. Phil Edited July 12, 2018 by Mallard60022 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 The NCE manual specifies the input voltage for the PowerCab as 10 to 15v DC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted July 12, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 12, 2018 Phil, you already know my thoughts on this! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I found my trains were running much too slowly with the original NCE Powercab supply, but was very wary about putting 18v into my Powercab. So I took advice from Kevin at Coastal DCC who is always helpful; he recommended an upgrade to a 5A supply by means of a Tam Valley booster which I duly purchased. https://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/tamvalley/dcc-accessory-booster-board The transformation is amazing! Faster trains, better short circuit protection, and more stable operation. I'm really happy with this product. I have no connection with Coastal, just a very satisfied customer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Bear Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 When I had a power cab before upgrading I used a different power supply, from Maplin I think, to deliver a bit more voltage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted July 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2018 Interesting thread, will keep an eye on what comes out of it as at some point my own Powercab is going to need a bit more juice once Brent gets more complete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted July 13, 2018 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 13, 2018 I found my trains were running much too slowly with the original NCE Powercab supply, but was very wary about putting 18v into my Powercab. So I took advice from Kevin at Coastal DCC who is always helpful; he recommended an upgrade to a 5A supply by means of a Tam Valley booster which I duly purchased. https://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/tamvalley/dcc-accessory-booster-board The transformation is amazing! Faster trains, better short circuit protection, and more stable operation. I'm really happy with this product. I have no connection with Coastal, just a very satisfied customer. Does this work like the NCE Smart Booster (CAB becomes a Power Pro) or is it just a plug in the Power Cab as usual? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Does this work like the NCE Smart Booster (CAB becomes a Power Pro) or is it just a plug in the Power Cab as usual? Thanks The throttle stays as a Powercab. The Tam Valley booster requires a separate power supply which Coastal supplied with my unit. I have 20 locos on layout and can have four trains running at the same time. Including some older hard wired locos which need more ooomph. No trouble with any of those now with this booster, whereas before they would sometimes overload the system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted July 13, 2018 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 13, 2018 The throttle stays as a Powercab. The Tam Valley booster requires a separate power supply which Coastal supplied with my unit. I have 20 locos on layout and can have four trains running at the same time. Including some older hard wired locos which need more ooomph. No trouble with any of those now with this booster, whereas before they would sometimes overload the system. I had a look at Costal's site and read the blurb re this . Looks interesting as an alternative to the Booster. The package is a tad expensive but could be considered. Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 I had a look at Costal's site and read the blurb re this . Looks interesting as an alternative to the Booster. The package is a tad expensive but could be considered. Phil Yes, it does seem a little expensive at around £55 for the booster plus power supply. But compared to the NCE SB5 which I was originally considering (cheapest I could find was £150) it's a bargain. As I said, I purchased this because I very wary of buying a 18v supply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted July 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2018 I know NCE is widely sold and popular, but there does seem to be a lot of “small print”. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 I know NCE is widely sold and popular, but there does seem to be a lot of “small print”. Yes. The Powercab is a really excellent starter system, and if you have a small or medium sized N or OO/HO layout running a couple of trains at the same time then it is really all you need. But to expand the system with a SB or Procab then it becomes expensive. That's why I was delighted to get advice from Coastal DCC. One of the benefits of going to a specialist shop and actually talking through things. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuffingBilly67 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Hi, I am new here and have a additional question regarding the NCE Powercab. I have the same slow speed issue and was wondering, as I have a dynamis could I use its power supply, being 16v? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernieL Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Check very carefully. The power cab set up is for low volt and current only. I am certain that you can't just replace the original NCE power supply with a higher volt/amp unit. You need a booster and a power supply, then plug the powercab into the booster throttle input with the curly cable, it then acts like a procab (throttle). NEC sell the SB booster (make sure to get the correct one - not the DB) and power supply. DCC concepts also sell a compatible booster and power supply. Both of these take the power cab as a throttle, using the curly cable and you no longer need the original power supply and socket. Do not plug the NCE SB or DCC concepts power supply directly into your powercab. I think the wording is that you can use your powercab with these upgrade units, but can't use these units on your powercab. Another alternative is to keep the power cab, flat cable and original power supply as is, and plug into a booster that has a 'track feed' input connector, where the power cab lines to the track are diverted into the booster. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ray H Posted October 17, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 17, 2020 How much slower are you talking about? If it isn't that great then you should just need a PSU upgrade - 15v DC rated at no more than 3 amps If it is a lot then does it affect all locos or just a few? You may have unintentionally switched to the PowerCab's Yard mode which cuts the speed to about half. This is mentioned on page 5 of the manual. Are you using 126 speed steps or just 28? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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