DCC Starter Systems Comparison/NCE
NCE
Comparison Table
This table is no longer maintained. See the Starter Sets List for more information. Registered Users can add to or update the Starter Set listing. The table below is being kept as a historical reference.
| System Name |
Power House Pro |
Power Pro |
Power Cab | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booster Output |
Current, Amps |
10 | 5 | 3 |
| Cabs | Maximum Supported |
63 | 3 | |
| Type | Hand-Held | |||
| Speed Control |
Buttons and Thumb Wheel | |||
| Addressing | Mode | Primary and Extended | ||
| Range | 1 – 9999 | |||
| Consists | Maximum Consists |
127 Advanced, plus 250 Old Style |
16 Advanced plus 4 Old Style | |
| Modes Supported |
All | |||
| Consist Address Range |
1 – 127 | 112 –127 | ||
| Other Features | Speed Steps |
14, 28/128 | ||
| Functions | 29 | |||
| Feedback | Yes | |||
| Throttle Bus |
Cab Bus | |||
| Maximum Simultaneous Trains |
250 | 12 | ||
| Accessory Addresses |
1 – 2044 | |||
| Programming | Mode | Service and Operations | ||
| Programming Track Output |
Yes | |||
| Computer Interface |
Serial | USB, Optional | ||
Notes
Some parameters were removed as they are not relevant to these systems.
Power Cab
There are a number of limitations to the Power Cab.
With version 1.65B (the most recent) the number of additional throttles is limited to 3, using Cab Bus addresses 3 – 5, for a total of four throttles including the Power Cab. Additional Cab Bus devices are limited to addresses 8 – 10.
The maximum track power is limited to two amps. Track voltage is equal to the power supply voltage less 0.5V, measured as Voltage-Peak (Vp). Power supply specs, 10 – 15VDC, 3A. The Power Cab does not have short circuit protection and can be damaged by overheating. An external circuit breaker is strongly recommended.
These limitations are also present in the Smart Booster 5 (SB5).
Power Pro / Power House
The boosters supplied with the Power House and Power Pro systems include overcurrent protection, and track voltage is adjustable.
Consists
All: Support the Universal and Advanced consisting modes.
- Power House and Power Pro support 127 Advanced Consists with unlimited locomotives, and 250 Old Style consists with up to four locomotives each
- The Power Cab supports a maximum of 16 consists with unlimited locomotives, and four old style consists of two locomotives each. The Consist Address Range is limited to addresses 112-127.