leviathan50040 Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 So I bought an NCE Powercab (Not Working) from Stafford toy fair earlier this month for £8. The controller is powering on but there is no output. I knew this when I bought it but I thought I would try my luck getting it repaired,. I went onto the NCE site to find out about sending Powercabs through the post for repair. Has anybody sent NCE Powercabs off for repair to NCE? I'm not sure if NCE is similar to lenz where they come with a lifetime guarantee. Its a shot to nothing, I await NCE's response. Thanks Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Have you tried a new cable? I've had an issue with one of the cores breaking, also check the sockets at both ends, sometimes the pins inside get twisted and don't make contact with the plugs. Might be worth having a word with Coastal DCC, very helpful outfit (no connection with them) They sorted one for me that had a dodgy socket on the controller. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviathan50040 Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 Hi John, Yes I already have a NCE Powercab that is fully functional so I know all wiring and connectivity is working fine. I bought the Powercab from Stafford as I can use it as a spare if need be. I have already sent it off to NCE in Webster, New York. I'm just wondering what their policy is on their guarantee. Curiosity more than anything. Thanks Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted December 24, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 24, 2019 NCE doesn't have a lifetime warranty, but their service/repair dept is very good. (This is more for other readers as you've already sent your Powercab away) I know it's an obvious question - but did you use the flat cable supplied with the Powercab? The flat cable is 6 core, whilst the NCE supplied curly lead is 4 core (and uses the same plugs) The easy way to tell is to look inside the plug moulding for the outer white and blue wires. These actually carry the DCC output from the Powercab. As mentioned above, look at the pins inside the handset - it's not unknown for one of them to be bent in the wrong direction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor quinn Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 When I e-mailed NCE about the thumb wheel on my Powercab I was told that shouldn’t fail and would be repaired free of charge. I just paid for shipping, I described it as “item for repair” on the customs declaration when I sent it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Thumb wheels are an easy self replacement if you can solder. Part is available on ebay using the number on the original item. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waggy Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 (edited) Hi Carl. I was tempted to buy the Powercab when i saw it at York Toyfair on the 1st of December, hope you get it sorted. Graham Edited December 27, 2019 by waggy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginelane Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 I found NCE very good when I had a problem with my set. It went away to US and good email communication about problem and securely packaged for its return. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 If it's the Thumb Wheel then it's much cheaper to do it yourself than the cost of postage. Here's what you need and the RS Components part number. Under £4.00 plus postage or collect from local branch. I always have one in my parts box. Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stokes Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 I had to send my Power Cab back to America two or three years ago when I damaged it. I had accidentally built a short into a loco and the Power Cab shut down completely. There was good communication with them and it came back in about a three weeks. It cost me about £40 for the repair and postage both ways. It was returned with a note saying "track circuit blown". Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted December 28, 2019 Share Posted December 28, 2019 Considering the NCE kit is quite popular in the UK, I'm rather surprised NCE haven't appointed an approved UK repair agent? I believe (I stand to be corrected) that at one stage Bromsgrove Models, when they were in business, undertook NCE repairs? But no one seems to have taken up the Authorised repair service AFAIK?? While I own a PowerCab, returning it to the USA for repair would IMO be a chore. I also have a Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance (MRC rebadge) which at least if that ever went wrong is only a one day postal or courier service away in Ford W'Sussex. Oh plus a Hornby eLink and that is in Westwood, Broadstairs/Margate and SPROGII who are also UK based. But hopefully I wont need any repairs (Fingers crossed!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mervyn Posted December 28, 2019 Share Posted December 28, 2019 Sent mine back about a 2 months ago was a quite quick turnaround ,once again it was a thumbwheel that went wrong they replaced it free of charge ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arff999 Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 NCE. Don`t have any authorised service agent at all in the UK, its been asked but they say its too much hassle on there part , There are a few model shops that do undertake repairs, like we do, but mostly the items end up back in the US. Quite often in our experience the don`t charge for a genuine fault, so all you end up paying is the shop cost.and handling charge. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviathan50040 Posted December 31, 2019 Author Share Posted December 31, 2019 Hi all, Thanks for all your replies so far, I can tell you that the Powercab has arrived at NCE in Webster, New York after tracking it, I await their response. Be nice if it was free of charge :-), we shall see.... Thanks Carl 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ELTEL Posted May 26 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 26 What was the final outcome ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted May 26 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 26 2 minutes ago, ELTEL said: What was the final outcome ? Since the chap apparently last visited RMweb on 5th Feb 2020, I fear no response likely..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ELTEL Posted May 26 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 26 Hey Ho Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted May 26 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 26 I was told some time ago by a popular Trader in Lincoln that they will look at NCE Hand Sets to see if they can deal with a Repair. Just thought I'd drop this in because I happen to be passing. P 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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