johnb

Seems quite a reasonable requirement.

The standard CVs are listed on the NMRA website and and all NMRA compliant decoders must comply with them to obtain NMRA certification. However things have moved on quite a bit since the NMRA produced their standards and there are now a lot more CVs numbers in use. Many manufacturers work to their own specifications and complete standardisation is no longer there. You have to work to the individual decoder manufacturers instructions, particularly if you are going into the sound aspects. The Powercab will handle most things, CV tweaking is easy provided you have the decoder instructions. Although having said that all the basic and not-so-basic CVs are the same on pretty well all decoders, it's as you get to the more advanced (and more expensive) decoders that things get a bit more complex. There's plenty of information on here, just needs searching out. Everyone has their own favourites, so you will see and probably have seen that!! Personally I have a Powercab and use it for exhibitions. Mine is a small layout set 1970(ish) , 8ft of scenics plus a fiddle yard and mainly runs Bachmann and Hornby EMUs and such things. Decoders are a variety, mostly TCS, Digitrax with a few Bachmann. That's what I am happy with, others will certainly differ!! John

So are some other papers, seems to be a rigid policy on the same and similar events. Although with some others the response is, 'take out an ad and although we're not really supposed to do it we'll do put something in the editorial areas'. Often has resulted as a decent piece about the club/society with a one liner at the bottom mentioning the show. John

Had a couple of unusual requests in my 'career' (now well over) as an exhibition manager:- One was a request for reimbursement for 'wear and tear' on the layout. (declined as not being notified before the show) Another was similar to Rangers as above, from 'x' please don't put me next to 'y'. Reasons were given and understood and I didn't put them close. 'Over-egged' expenses, as John New says above, were always one to watch out for, as were requests for excessive numbers of operators (usually very rare). OK a couple or so of extra lunches was not really a major issue, but if that translated into o'night accomodation that was a different story. Usually resolved by a phone call. All in all though, almost all requests were very fair and reasonable, for example veggie lunches, never had a request for vegan tho'. Most operators being satisfied with fuel costs (often understated), maybe van hire, a lunch and 'ad-lib' tea and coffee. Overnight stays were on a B&B basis with the evening meal being at the exhibitors expense. Had enormous fun with the shows and made some longstanding friendships, (longer than some of us really care to remember). A fondly remembered period. John

Not sure of the exact electrical setup using those contact strips, but whilst they may well be clean and bright, are they all making contact? Also there must be contact between wheels and some contact strip is that all OK? As for the actual slipping can you see enough of the wheels to see if all eight or just one set of four are slipping? John

I would suggest that a possible explanation is that either power is getting lost to one truck or there is a mechanical issue with one of trucks causing it to jam up. The additional drag causes the other to slip. John

Getting a Sprog is very useful, see, http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk but not essential, you can do most things that you'll need to do with the NCE. I've got both! Sprog pricing from their webpage is £45 for Sprog2 and £60 for Sprog3, but requires a PC or laptop to operate. NCE Powercab £150ish, but you do not need a computer to run it, it's self contained. John

Simply put, just wire all three feeds to the one controller. However putting isolating gaps on both rails is absolutely essential where 66C indicates in post #5. Preferably using insulating fishplates as simply cutting the rail leaves the tendency for the gaps to close up If you you are on DC and want to isolate locos then put an on/off switch in each of the three feeds. If you are using DCC then switching the feeds is not essential. John

Have seen them in use on others exhibition layouts and they are good and the non-mixing design is a bonus. John

Very neatly shown Paul. regards John

Then trying to get a 4ft length in may be an issue, particularly trying to wangle in 4ft past the open doors, remember it's not just a flat panel.

I use three types, but it depends on how many wires are involved. All involve soldering wire(s) to the plugs For only two to four, then the individual single wire plugs, the so called 'banana' plugs, I use the 4mm version, quite nice and robust, colour coded with matching sockets, but I've only seen red/yellow/blue/green easily available. For three to seven wires, then the round 'DIN' plugs/sockets available with a number of pins up to seven, but commonly five. Different pin positions are around which alllows non-confusion between plugs/sockets. For more than that, up to twenty five circuits, then the 'D' plugs/sockets. Bit fiddly to solder up. I've used all three types on exhibition layouts without problem, provided that the inevitable floating leads are properly secured/protected in transit. Mostly these are available from Maplins (shop or mail order) or mail order from CPC (usually fast and reliable). No connection with either just a satisfied customer. John

Critical dimensions are:- 1. Length of load bed, not forgetting that most tailgates slope inwards towards the top. Not happened to me, but seen that cause issues! Also try not to push the front seats forward too much, not too much of a problem for 2-3 mile runs but a pain (literally) and dodgy for long runs. 2, Width between wheel arches. 3. Height available when tailgate open. John

Ever 4ft x 3ft is very cumbersome if you are shifting it with one person. Using two is not too good either as there is the high risk of damage. Also 4' x 3' can very well be weighty when fully finished even if using light materials. It will need good bracing to remain stable at that size too. Years ago friends and I had a layout with 4ft x 2ft6ins ply boards it was a right pain to move and lug about. More recently I have had to do things single handed at times and I had a layout with one of the boards at 4ft x 1ft6ins. Not too easy! Now I go for 4ft x 1ft and that's fine, but that's my personal limitations. I agree with Dutch_Master that 4ft x 2ft is about the optimum maximum for a regularly used exhibition layout, again it's experience from about the same period of exhibiting. That will fit in many cars, I've usually had Escort/Focus estates. I'v never been a fan of buying a car based on a layout size, then again in the past I've also had company cars at times and getting a standard-ish estate hasn't been an issue. One point if you are intending to exhibit is that van hire is relatively expensive and could well reduce your chances of an invitation when that cost shows up on your expenses! John

+2

Wa I do it too, but with an orange dot!!!

IMHO that is perhaps a bit tight, for my Heljans I use decoders that can cope with 2amp stall current. Not sure how current decoders work out, mine are two/three years old now. I'd go for 1.25amp/1.5amp rated decoders. Mostly in the Heljan's I've used TCS, running about slowly shunting with 33s and a 35, I have no issues wih TCS

That's how I got started!! It is very addictive!!!

Yes, I isolate the slip on all exits, make it a separate section all on it's own.

You ventured successfully sir!! Thanks John

'There', 'Their' and 'The're' and then there is 'Discreet' and 'Discrete' anyone?

I use a Sprog and JMRI on Win 10 with no problems. John

I am not familiar with what is supplied with the Dynamis The NCE system is supplied with a small plug to connect to the output of NCE power board you need to wire this plug to a Hornby type track connector. The NCE will certainly operate OO layouts and locos. You really do need to get along to a shop where they are familiar with DCC products or to an exhibition where one of the DCC specialist suppliers is present. You could get along to a local club where they use DCC. The NCE Powercab system as supplied comprises the handset with the screen, buttons and a speed control handwheel. A 'power board' to which the handset is wired (wire with plugs supplied). A plug in transformer, with wired plug to connect to the 'power board'. It is not all that easy to describe in words, you really do need to see it for yourself. So please study the NCE website and also see the thing for real. It will answer many of your questions. John

Thanks Ron for those clarifications I was writing that quite late last night!! John

With this controller am I right in thinking that by a stack of six it means it holds the last six locos that have been selected? Yes So does this mean that if the loco you would like to run isn't in the six in the stack that you just type the number/loco address in? Yes So just to confirm that I can programme/have programmed an unlimited number of locos to the NCE DCC Controller? Just keep putting numbers in, only the last six will be remembered How many locos can be run in a consist/convoy? No restriction other than the current limit of the Powercab. Max is 2AMP but that is really pushing it probably 1.5 amp is the top limit How many consists can I have at once? Limited by the power available but the Powercab can allocate consist addresses from 112 to 127 Is the product code for the NCE DCC Controller 524-042? Don't know, but NCE produce two controllers the entry level Powercab and the full featured Procab. You can start with the Powercab and then upgrade to the Procab. The Powercab then becomes a second control unit for use with the Procab setup. Have a look at the NCE website (www.ncedcc.com) it will explain all this in better detail. How many locos can I run at once using the NCE DCC Controller? No restriction other than the current limit of the Powercab. Max is 2AMP but that is really really pushing it, probably a bit less than 1.5 amp is the practical limit. This has been discussed on here somewhere at length. Just to be clear I use the Powercab with it's 2amp limit NOT the higher rated Procab and have never come close to that limit with modern motors. But I have small end-to-end layouts. I've rarely used consists, but then only with a couple of locos. I've taken some of the answers above from the Powercab manual. I also have a slave controller, the CAB04. I've usually run no more than 4 modern locos at once using the Powercab and the slave, a consisted pair and two Bachmann EMUs coupled together both with the same id. The current draw does not get anywhere near 1amp Where are you based? I've several shows coming up between now and January and given notice I'd be willing to give you a demo. HTH John