Controller for beginner's first N gauge layout

[potatan]

Hi,

I'm a brand new modeller currently planning my first layout. I've decided to go with N Gauge and DCC.

Here is the layout - it may get tweaked a bit but the basic two loop with sidings here and there design is enough for my first attempt.

What kind of a DCC controller would suit? I've found this NCE Power Cab being advertised and it claims to power up to four N gauge trains so that seems plenty for me for the time being.

https://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/nce/power-cab

Will this allow me to control my two trains, as well as 9 sets of points? Do I need anything else, other than cabling supplies for wiring under the baaseboard?

Thanks!

[Lofty]

Will this allow me to control my two trains, as well as 9 sets of points?

Yes.

Do I need anything else, other than cabling supplies for wiring under the baaseboard?

Stating the obvious but yes you need some sort of point motor (x 9)

[potatan]

Do I need anything else, other than cabling supplies for wiring under the baaseboard?

Stating the obvious but yes you need some sort of point motor (x 9)

Thanks, yes - I'll be looking into points before I build my baseboard.

Am I right to assume that I'll need some sort of different power supply for the points? I think I read earlier today that points need a separate AC supply that would fry the DCC controller if mixed up. Is this correct?

[aleopardstail]

Do I need anything else, other than cabling supplies for wiring under the baaseboard?

Stating the obvious but yes you need some sort of point motor (x 9)

Thanks, yes - I'll be looking into points before I build my baseboard.

Am I right to assume that I'll need some sort of different power supply for the points? I think I read earlier today that points need a separate AC supply that would fry the DCC controller if mixed up. Is this correct?

answer is "it depends" sadly, a lot of controllers take whatever they have as an input and will have a 16V AC output specifically for driving point solonoids - note manually operating points is also fine as are various "wire in tube" methods, pushrods and all sorts of contraptions.

can be cheap or can go up to IMHO silly money for some digitial enabled ones you just connect to the DCC control bus

for wiring, also worth some sort of connectors, screw terminals, clips, all sorts

[Lofty]

answer is "it depends" sadly,

The question was, is a NCE powerecab able to provide control of two trains and a number of points?

I agree that you have to have the correct and compatible components, but if you do, it does!

I did have such components in the early days of my twenty year old still going strong NCE… do I use it that way now? No I don’t, because in my experience there are better ways of doing it, but as always there is no right and wrong way.

[potatan]

answer is "it depends" sadly,

because in my experience there are better ways of doing it, but as always there is no right and wrong way.

Just out of interest (I've ordered the PowerCab now) what are some better ways that you have progressed to?

I was looking at DCC stuff generally and some of it looks like really impressive kit and expensive too. I think as a computer nerd I'm more likely to end up going down some sort of laptop + Sprog + Raspberry Pi or something type route, wherever that leads. And of course that's eventually. But for now I just want a box with knobs on for make new train go round.

[aleopardstail]

if Nerding works, check out DCC-EX, especially when you start can be very cheap (Arduino mega clone + arduino motor shield and a suitable power supply)

[Lofty]

Just out of interest (I've ordered the PowerCab now) what are some better ways that you have progressed to?

The word better is probably not a true description…

When I had everything on the NCE controller, trains and track were operating on the same handset, therefore you have to leave the train running whilst you select an accessory such as a point decoder and change the route, and then go back to the train.

I have gone back to simple switches for frog polarity and mechanical linkages for point operation.

There is nothing wrong at all with having everything on one handset, computer screen, or phone, it’s just not my preference.

[potatan]

I've ordered:

* one locomotive
* compatible (hopefully) DCC micro decoder
* some rolling stock
* bunch of Peco N setrack
* NCE PowerCab


I'm looking to put together a "minimum viable product" this weekend assuming it all arrives, and by that I mean a loco on a piece of track that I can move electrically. Maybe even a simple loop. Who am I kidding, obviously I'll make a loop as I'm new to the hobby and want to watch a train moving.

Will I need anything else in order to make this happen?

My assumption is that I can make a loop of track on a table, fit the decoder, connect two wires from the controller to the track, program the loco (or just leave it at 003 to begin with), then press buttons to move it.

The part I'm wondering about is attaching the controller power to the tracks. The very comprehensive manual doesn't seem to cover this explicitly so I'd hate to not be able to run a train on Saturday for want of a tiny £2 item from eBay.

Am I all set?

[aleopardstail]

I've ordered:

* one locomotive
* compatible (hopefully) DCC micro decoder
* some rolling stock
* bunch of Peco N setrack
* NCE PowerCab


I'm looking to put together a "minimum viable product" this weekend assuming it all arrives, and by that I mean a loco on a piece of track that I can move electrically. Maybe even a simple loop. Who am I kidding, obviously I'll make a loop as I'm new to the hobby and want to watch a train moving.

Will I need anything else in order to make this happen?

My assumption is that I can make a loop of track on a table, fit the decoder, connect two wires from the controller to the track, program the loco (or just leave it at 003 to begin with), then press buttons to move it.

The part I'm wondering about is attaching the controller power to the tracks. The very comprehensive manual doesn't seem to cover this explicitly so I'd hate to not be able to run a train on Saturday for want of a tiny £2 item from eBay.

Am I all set?

most controllers seem to have one, sometimes two, DCC outputs - each two wires. they may be labelled "track", or "main"/"prog" or similar.

if you post a picture of the back of the thing I'm sure someone here can help, but connecting it is normally those two connections to the two rails, taking care not to short circuit them (if you have no reverse loops you should be fine) and really thats it. what you will need is a way to actually connect the wires to the rails though. PECO do some clips that can be attached, not sure if the set track packs come with them. if you can solder its quite easy to make your own "power track" by soldering to the side of the rails or underside of some fishplate rail joiners.

if all you want is "does this work" then croc clips to the rails are fine, wires wrapped around the rails may work but not advised with DCC

I've not used the NEC stuff, others here have, for a quick google it doesn't look hard to wire up - seems there is a base circuit board that the power and handset plug into which apparently has screw terminals to connect to the track

decoder should be compatible, usual issue is "will it physically fit?" a modern DCC ready loco should be fine, again if you have problems drop a few pictures on here

[potatan]

most controllers seem to have one, sometimes two, DCC outputs - each two wires. they may be labelled "track", or "main"/"prog" or similar.

if you post a picture of the back of the thing I'm sure someone here can help, but connecting it is normally those two connections to the two rails, taking care not to short circuit them (if you have no reverse loops you should be fine) and really thats it. what you will need is a way to actually connect the wires to the rails though. PECO do some clips that can be attached, not sure if the set track packs come with them. if you can solder its quite easy to make your own "power track" by soldering to the side of the rails or underside of some fishplate rail joiners.

if all you want is "does this work" then croc clips to the rails are fine, wires wrapped around the rails may work but not advised with DCC

decoder should be compatible, usual issue is "will it physically fit?" a modern DCC ready loco should be fine, again if you have problems drop a few pictures on here

Thanks - I don't actually have any of the items yet, I'm hoping they will arrive tomorrow. But it sounds like I may need a couple of croc clips at most if the Peco doesn't include a connector, just to get it all tested out. A soldering iron is on my "tools" list.

[aleopardstail]

did you get one of the PECO set track packs? both of them have power tracks, first radius one has clips, second radius has a wired power track

if getting a soldering iron and you haven't used one before have a look on ebay for soldering practice stuff, various little module kits on there designed to practice on, making flashing light thingies etc. accept you will make a mess of a bit of track the first time you try it.. heck some of us still do

[potatan]

did you get one of the PECO set track packs?

I didn't. I was tempted to buy both starter sets but the inner loop (Set 1) is 1st radius and after reading a lot about that it seems problematic with anything longer than an 0-2-0

if getting a soldering iron and you haven't used one before have a look on ebay for soldering practice stuff, various little module kits on there designed to practice on, making flashing light thingies etc. accept you will make a mess of a bit of track the first time you try it.. heck some of us still do

Thanks for the tip I studied electronics in my yoof but haven't really handled a soldering iron in anger for around 40 years, so maybe I'll practice on some non-vital and inexpensive things first.

[Dad-1]

Not a DCC set that I've used, but by reputation one of the good ones.
That will do anything you'll want, unless Chester Cathedral is in your thoughts.
I know you're going to ask questions, but I have a feeling this is going to be
interesting.

A journey we'll all be on with you.

Geoff T.

[Lofty]

I have had my NCE powercab for well over 20 years and it’s still going strong.

Unless things have changed, you will need a couple of lengths of wire to go between the supplied plug that fits into the back of the power board - small electricians screwdriver required- and whatever you connect to the track with. I have always soldered my power feed to the track but that obviously isn’t an option for you just yet. Haven’t a clue what clips are available for N gauge.