NCE Powercab In A Box

[SSW7771]

Instead of posting this under my layout build thread, I thought it would be better suited here. This weekend I had some time to finish mounting a NCE Powercab and USB adapter into a enclosure to make it easy to run the layout or a test track with my Powercab. I wanted something that looked good and was easily portable.

I used a small enclosure I bought from Fry's along with a few accessories. Below are a few pictures.

[peteski]

Nice clean job - I like it!

[Ken Ford]

Very timely, Marshall - I just ordered a Powercab last week and was planning to box mount it!  I'm shamelessly stealing your method.

Do you remember which Fry's box you used?

[Ken Ford]

What did you use for the internal partition and shelf for mounting the USB Interface?

[SSW7771]

Nice clean job - I like it!

Thanks!

Very timely, Marshall - I just ordered a Powercab last week and was planning to box mount it!  I'm shamelessly stealing your method.

Do you remember which Fry's box you used?

Glad I could help. Here is a link to the box I used. It comes with an unplated PCB which I cut up to use as the partition and mount for the USB interface.
http://frys.com/product/6239250?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[Ken Ford]

Thanks, Marshall - I'll take a run over to my local Fry's!

[Cajonpassfan]

It's nice and clean, and it got upvoted multiple times, but I don't get it. What's the advantage of a Powercab in a box again and what happened to the backlit display? Obviously I'm missing something here....or not thinking out of a box
Otto K.

[wcfn100]

It's nice and clean, and it got upvoted multiple times, but I don't get it. What's the advantage of a Powercab in a box again and what happened to the backlit display? Obviously I'm missing something here....or not thinking out of a box
Otto K.

The thread should probably be titled 'NCE Connection Panel and USB Interface' in a box.

Jason

[Philip H]

It's nice and clean, and it got upvoted multiple times, but I don't get it. What's the advantage of a Powercab in a box again and what happened to the backlit display? Obviously I'm missing something here....or not thinking out of a box
Otto K.

Unlike the Digitrax or other NCE systems, there's no booster for a power cab.  You get a pc board that you need to attach to power and usually mount to the fascia to use your paddle controller to run the thing.  He has taken the pc board, and another board for USB interface and put them in a case.

[Greg Elmassian]

Well, there IS a booster, but it's built into the body of the throttle.

[peteski]

The thread should probably be titled 'NCE Connection Panel and USB Interface' in a box.

Jason

Yeah.  The Power Cab circuitry (throttle/booster) is all inside the handheld unit (as it has been all along).

[Greg Elmassian]

A suggestion, put a knot in the power cable so it cannot be pulled loose accidentally, put the knot just inside the box and a small amount of slack to the board.

Greg

[Cajonpassfan]

Okay, thanks, I get it, I think
Thanks for the explanations. I do have NCE but no Power Cabs to worry about.
Otto K.

[peteski]

NCE Power Cab is a very portable complete DCC system. But it has some loose bits which are not part of the handheld unit and which are designed for when the Power Cab is used in a permanent layout install.

This thread seems to show a neat way to put all the other unwieldy bits into a nice portable box, which makes it easy for this DCC system to be hooked up to the entire layout or taking it over to the workbench for testing locomotives. Or to take with you to a portable NTRAK club layout to assist your club buddies in programming or troubleshooting their DCC locos.

[Greg Elmassian]

Cajonpass, my suggestion was for the 0P, the power cord entering the box.

Greg