NCE

Manufacturer: NCE

Summary: NCE began as an OEM in 1993, supplying hardware and software for the Wangrow SystemOne. NCE became a DCC manufacturer when Wangrow passed on the NCE Power House DCC system as the replacement for the SystemOne. Today NCE offers a variety of DCC Systems and accessories.

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General information
Phone	+1-585-265-0230
Fax	+1-585-265-0234
Email	[email protected]
CV8 ID#
Main URL	Main URL
URL to manuals
Address	NCE Corporation 82 East main Street Webster, NY 14580
Date Opened	1993
Date Closed
Successor
Device Types	Booster, Command Station, Mobile Decoder, Other, Power Supply, Stationary Decoder, Throttle

NCE Corporation

Company Summary

NCE DCC System
NCE Decoder
NCE Power Pro command station with 5A booster.

NCE began manufacturing DCC Products on an OEM basis in 1993 and was originally known as North Coast Engineering. They provided the software component of Wangrow's SystemOne and RamFixx Technologies' RamTraxx DCC systems. The name was changed to NCE when it was incorporated in 1996. 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.

The NCE Power House was intended to be marketed by Wangrow as the next generation SystemOne. Wangrow declined, so NCE decided 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.

AML Interview with Jim Scorse of NCE

This is an audio podcast of an interview with Jim Scorse. Listen in the background if you wish. Youtube allows allows changing playback speed.

There are so many great folks to talk with in the AML Nation and one of the best, is our very own Jim Scorse the owner NCE. Jim has spent over twenty years building NCE into one of the most important companies in the hobby while he continues to innovate and improve his products year after year.

But like so many of our guests Jim isn’t just NCE, he’s passionate about model railroad operations along with his many outside interests such as trivia nights at the local pub, online racing, and his love of music. It’s a great interview and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy, so grab yourself a big bowl of shredded car cards, a steaming hot mug of melted solder and enjoy!!

Episode 198: Jim Scorse-NCE

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.

The radio systems will be upgraded and increase the number of channels available in the process. It will be backwards compatible. ^[1]^[2]

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. The tight level of integration limits the available current for the track power bus. Some software features are also absent.

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.

See this page for firmware revisions applicable to their command stations.

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

Version 1.28

Function Refresh
USB support
28 Functions
CVs up to 999 supported
Reset to factory defaults

Version 1.65

Total number of Cabs supported is 6, Addresses 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's name marked on the front of the booster. Dual 5A boosters

Circuit Protection

Main article: NCE/Circuit Protectors

Auto Reverser

AR10 10A Auto Reverser

Discontinued Products

Name	Replacement	Status
CAB04P	CAB06P
CAB04PR	CAB06PR
CAB05R		DISCONTINUED
CAB05		DISCONTINUED
SB3	SB5
SB3A	SB5
DB3	DB5
SWITCH-IT	SWITCH-IT II
SWITCH-8	SWITCH-8 MK II
DIN PANEL		DISCONTINUED
PACKET ANALYSER^[3]		DISCONTINUED

NCE FAQs

Q: Accessing Functions above F9 with an NCE Cab

NCE Cabs can access functions above F9. It involves a few more button presses.

The expanded functions only work with upgraded firmware. See Power Cab Firmware and Power Pro Firmware for more details.

Extended Functions

F10 – F19

Press and hold Shift
While holding the shift key press 0
The display will show F10 – F19

To access a function in this range, subtract 10 from the function number and press the corresponding key. For F19, press 9.

F10 – F12 can also be activated by pressing SHIFT and the related key at the bottom of the keypad.

F20 – F28

Press and hold Shift
While holding the shift key press 0 twice.
The display will show F20 – F28
Pressing 5 activates F25 for example.

Viewing Active Functions

Press the EXPN key.
Three rows will appear on the display indicating which range and the functions active in that range.
PROG/ESC returns to the main screen.

See Power Cab Tips for additional details

Power Cab: Functions Not Working

This issue may appear after using the Programming Track Mode.

While operating a locomotive some functions do not work. If this occurs, unplug or turn the Power Cab off and wait a few seconds. Once it has completely shut down, power it up and allow it to reboot/restart. Everything should work normally after this.

Q: Connection Issues between JMRI and NCE PH5

The latest update of the NCE Power Pro system (PH5, with USB interface, released in late 2023) has issues connecting to JMRI.

Due to architectural changes within, the new PH5 command station requires JMRI version 5.7.x or greater to correctly function. Previous versions of JMRI are not able to communicate with the new command station.

JMRI 5.0 was released in mid 2022. Requires installation of JAVA 11 for proper operation.

Edit FAQ Related Articles: Connecting a Computer to Your DCC System, JMRI, 5240035 Related Manufacturer: NCE, JMRI Categories: Command Station, Computer, Computer Interface

Q: NCE Power Cab Functions Not Working

The Power Cab has a known firmware issue where some functions are swapped after using the Program Track.

This issue is solved by rebooting the Power Cab. If you press a function button and it does not work as expected, this will fix the issue.

Edit FAQ Related Articles: NCE Power Cab, Accessing Functions above F9 with an NCE Power Cab Related Manufacturer: NCE Categories: Command Station, Throttle

See more FAQs!

↑ A Modeller's Life podcast, Episode 198
↑ Fall 2022
↑ Replaced by DCC Meter and Packet Analyser

[1] A Modeller's Life podcast, Episode 198

[2] Fall 2022

[3] Replaced by DCC Meter and Packet Analyser

[1]

[2]

[3]

NCE

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