| Summary | NCE has been manufacturing DCC Products on an OEM basis since 1993. They were the company that supplied the hardware and software for the Wangrow SystemOne. |
|---|---|
| Phone | 585-265-0230 |
| Fax | 585-265-0234 |
| support@ncecorporation.com | |
| Main URL | http://www.ncedcc.com/ |
| Address | NCE Corporation
82 East main Street Webster, NY 14580 |
| Device Types | Mobile Decoder, Stationary Decoder, Command Station, Booster, Power Supply, Throttle, Other |
Contents
NCE Corporation
Company Summary
NCE DCC System
NCE Decoder
NCE Power Pro command station with 5A booster.
North Coast Engineering (now known only as NCE) began manufacturing DCC Products on an OEM basis in 1993. They were the software component of Wangrow's SystemOne DCC systems.
Originally they were an OEM which offered the components and software required to other DCC manufacturers to build DCC systems. Today, NCE has to grown into a full time electronic design and manufacturing firm devoted entirely to the development and sale of products for the control of model railroads.
NCE supplied hardware and software for the Wangrow SystemOne DCC system, as well as the RamTraxx DCC system from RamFixx Technologies.
The NCE Power House was intended to by marketed by Wangrow as the next generation SystemOne. Wangrow declined, NCE then decided that since it was a finished, ready for production product, they would release it under their own brand. Wangrow subsequently went out of business when their licence for the command station software supplied by NCE expired. Wangrow failed to comprehend the difficulty and time requirements needed to create their own software.
Products
NCE produces a full line of Digital Command Control products
Starter Sets
Power Pro Advanced Starter Set with external command station / booster. This set may also be equipped with the wireless option. (Radio version shown).
Entry Level Power Cab. Note the differences between it and the Power Pro system. The command station and booster are integrated into the throttle.
Basic starter set: NCE Twin
Advanced Systems
- Power Pro
- Power Pro R (Radio)
- Power Pro 10
- Power Pro 10 R
Originally this system was marketed under the Power House name. Complete system with Throttle (Pro Cab), integrated Command Station / Booster. A Power Supply is NOT included.
- Five and 10 Amp versions available.
- Walkaround capability
- Expansion: 63 devices (Additional cabs and accessory items). NCE calls anything on the throttle network a "cab".
- Interface: Serial Port, RS232. USB adaptor card is not recommended as some commands are not available over USB connections.
- Programming Track connections, Programming Track Booster recommended.
Entry Level Systems
- Power Cab
While the Power Cab looks a lot like a Power Pro (they use the same package for the throttle), it is a 1.5A Booster, Command Station and Throttle integrated into a handheld device. If you disconnect it from the layout, everything stops as the DCC track signal is generated in the handheld. Adding a Smart Booster eliminates that issue. Due to the tight level of integration, this limits the available current for the track power bus.
The Power Cab features Pro Cab compatibility when connected to NCE Pro Cab / Power Pro command station it functions as a throttle. A cable to enable this feature is included.
The interface to the layout is called the PCP or Pro Cab Panel. It has connections for the ProCab, DC Power, and the Rail A and B terminals to connect the track power bus. It also has jacks to enable expansion of the system via the Cab Bus. Only three additional UTP panels are supported. In addition, three additional cab bus devices are supported for a total of three throttles and three accessories.
Supports USB interfaces for computer control
Basic System
- DCC Twin
This system features two throttles integrated into a single enclosure with the command station and a 3A booster. Limited programming options. Can also be used as a pair of throttles in another NCE system.
Power Pro compared to Power Cab
The Power Pro has additional features. While both units may look alike, there are some important differences:
- Computer interface: RS232, does not require a cab bus address to function, advanced features compared to other NCE systems,
- Macro Capability Enhanced
- Accessory decoders last state is restored upon power up
- Control up to 250 locomotives
- Consisting: Up to 128 Advanced Consists possible, with additional consisting features.
Throttles
- Pro Cab/Pro Cab R
- ProCab Deluxe
- A Pro Cab is only a Cab/Throttle. Requires a command station and a booster.
- Cab6
- Available singe throttle cab with radio and choice of rotary encoder or potentiometer. Four digit display. Can be used with YARD mode (center zero).
- Cab06r: Radio version
Discontinued
Wireless cabs
- Cab04pr
- Cab04r
Tethered Cabs
- Cab04
- Cab05
Notes
- A Pro Cab and a Power Cab look almost identical but they are two completely different products.
A Pro Cab is a Throttle only. It requires a DCC command station to function. It is a dumb terminal with a keypad and a display.
The Power Cab is a complete DCC system in one package. It is a Throttle, Command Station and Booster. All three in one (handheld) package.
- The Power Cab has a six wire cable which connects it to the power supply, and also has wires which carry the digital DCC track signal and the throttle bus. This cable cannot be substituted with another. If you need a longer reach, the solution is to purchase a Cab06. They are available in tethered and wireless versions. The Power Cab must remain connected to the Power Cab panel for the system to work.
- If you wish to run more than a few locomotives with your Power Cab, an SB5 booster may be required.
Each Cab must have its own unique cab address. Available cab addresses are based on the command station being used. Example: For a Power Cab system the available cab addresses are 3,4,and 5. Addresses 8,9, and 10 can be used for devices like the USB interface, AIU and Mini Panel.
Command Stations
- PH-Box
- Power Pro System command station/booster
- CS02
- Command Station Only for Power Pro
- SB5 Smart Booster
- Five amp command station / booster for Power Cab system, up to six throttles. NCE radio compatible. Converts to booster only if needed.
Boosters
NCE has used three product names in its manufacturing history.
- MASTER SERIES
- Power House
- Power Pro
- PB5
- Five Amp
- PB110A
- 10 Amp Booster with Automatic Reverse. Recommended for large scales.
- DB5
- Five Amp booster
Expansion Boosters
- DB3/DB3A
- Replaced by the DB5 Booster
- SB3/SB3A
- Replaced by SB5 Smart Booster
The SB5 and DB5 are 5A units. They are current production as of 2017
Smart Booster Firmware
1.28
1.65
- Total number of Cabs supported is 6, Adresses 2-7.
- Supports three AUI, USB or Minipanels on addresses 8-10
- Improved USB functions
1.65a
- Corrected issues with Dumb Booster modes
1.65b
- Number of cab addresses available after reset corrected
Older Units
- PB105. This model evolved into the DB and SB3 boosters. Available by special order only.
- PB110 10A booster, superseded by the PB110a
- PB205. Many PB205a boosters don't have the model name marked on the front of the booster. Dual 5A boosters
Circuit Protection
EB1 Electronic Circuit Breaker
- Short circuit protection for a single power district. Can be used with any DCC system rated at 3 to 10A.
CP6 Circuit Protector
- Circuit protection for up to 6 power districts on your railroad.
- Note: this is a current limiting device, not a circuit breaker.
