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Has anyone else noticed an NCE Powercab shortage?

Discussion in 'DCC Control' started by David Mitchell-Todd, Mar 15, 2021.

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  1. Mar 15, 2021 #1
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    I currently use a Bachmann EZ command for general running and a SPROG II for programming. If money was no object I would have lots and lots of Digitrax boxes with flashing lights under my layout. However, my head says NCE Powercab, so I finally decided to take the plunge and buy one. This proved easier said that done! Even ones with missing bits and dodgy controls get snapped up on eBay. After several fruitless searches online I have ordered one from Hattons, but no idea when it will actually be in stock.
    I did find one supplier in the US that had one in stock, but it would have been over £100 more than Hatton's price so I am willing to wait.
     
  2. Mar 15, 2021 #2
    Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    This has been discussed on another forum and rumour has it they may be bringing out a new model.
     
  3. Mar 15, 2021 #3
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    Aaaaw what!
     
  4. Mar 15, 2021 #4
    Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    Hence the lack of availability. This is only what somebody thought. Could be right or more than likely could be rubbish.
     
  5. Mar 15, 2021 #5
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    I am not convinced this is the reason. Digitrax were still selling their old 1980s scientific calculator style throttles even after they announced their very lovely new range. I am more inclined to think NCE have some sort of supply issues or cash flow problems. If you look on their website, every one of their controller sets are 'out of stock'!

    I know the Powercab is their entry level controller and there is very little to touch it for the price. However, once you go up a level it is a big jump to the PH Pro. If I was spending £450+ on a controller I would be looking at Digitrax.
     
  6. Mar 19, 2021 #6
    Lankeyman

    Lankeyman Full Member

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    We're in the middle of a global pandemic, could it be due to that? Unless you know for definite siting cash flow problems could be harmful to the companies reputation and future. Yes they maybe out of stock on their own website, but they might have a policy of supplying their retailers first

    Getting supplies out of manufacturers has not been consistent of late, I'm still waiting for some Peco code 75 small radius points I ordered months ago, I think in these times we need to be patient.
     
  7. Mar 19, 2021 #7
    Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    Peco shut down production completely then restarted very slowly. Quite common for companies to have no stock on their websites. Hornby often show out of stock for a product but the retailers have plenty of them.
     
  8. Mar 20, 2021 #8
    Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    As I understand it, Peco's problem is that there is insufficient factory space to allow for enough social distancing between workers so production has been reduced to only around 30% of normal due to a reduced workforce. I gather that the same is true of Slaters at Darley Dale, and doubtless other small companies will be in a similar position. Whilst the 'one man band' manufacturers won't necessarily have that problem, their suppliers probably will have, hence the supply difficulties. Products from overseas have also been delayed by an apparent lack of shipping containers. Reports not long ago mentioned that more than 10,000 containers of PPE destined for the NHS were on docksides in the UK awaiting delivery, emptying and return and other countries will probably be in a similar state, so it's not surprising that there is a worldwide shortage.
    Keith.
     
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  9. Mar 20, 2021 #9
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    Well I have discovered that some dealers are expecting stock from 5 April onwards, so we shall see. It does seem strange that NCE seem to be the only company with virtually none of the products in stock anywhere. Other manufacturers do seem to be suffering shortages, but their products are still available if you look for them. I have considered the Digitrax Zephyr, Gaugemaster Prodigy Express, Roco z1 et al and you can find all of them somewhere.
     
  10. Mar 20, 2021 #10
    Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    Perhaps that indicates it’s a good product and very popular. Lot’s of something available everywhere probably means nobody is buying it.
     
  11. Mar 20, 2021 #11
    Lankeyman

    Lankeyman Full Member

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    It's a brilliant system, I have a Powerpro and a Powercab, its very comfortable in the hand and very intuitive to use, definitely worth waiting for if you can.
     
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  12. Mar 23, 2021 #12
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    I have just cancelled my order with Hattons for the NCE Powercab! I still want one and would have been to wait a few weeks for delivery. However, I have just been made redundant, so spending £150+ on a non-essential item suddenly cannot be justified.
     
  13. Mar 23, 2021 #13
    paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Sorry to hear about the redundancy, I suffered the same fate at the end of last year, fortunately I could take early retirement from it.

    So I suppose the question is now what is it about the EZ command that's holding you back, and what are / were you planning to achieve with the NCE / Digitrax etc. etc. ?

    Maybe we can come up with some alternatives

    Paul
     
  14. Mar 23, 2021 #14
    Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    The TCS UWT-100 looks like a good alternative to the NCE Powercab... From what I have read and seen, this is an excellent control system.

    https://tcsdcc.com/UWT-100

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  15. Mar 23, 2021 #15
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    I suppose the idea was to have everything(?) in one single unit. The EZ is fine for general control, but you cannot fine tune the decoders with it. For that I use a SPROG II with JMRI, but that is less convenient for general control.
     
  16. Mar 23, 2021 #16
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    I have looked at this and watched a few reviews on YouTube. It does look very nice indeed. Unfortunately it costs £210 and it is only a throttle. To use it you need to add something like the Digitrax DCS240 which adds another £300. There are cheaper options like using it with a Raspberry Pi with JMRI, but it is still extra expense and complication. Compared with a Powercab which has everything in one unit for about £160.
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2021
  17. Mar 23, 2021 #17
    paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi David

    When you use the Sprog, have you tried using the Wi-throttle via your phone (an old android phone or tablet with Engine driver works fine). I use an old BT home router to provide the wifi, which is not connected to the internet, a couple of old Android phones and a couple of 7" android tablets that were a freebie with my phone contract. The devices don't need a sim as you are using wifi only.

    On Victoria Road - My OO gauge layout, I use the two tablets at the fiddle yard, one running Panel view with the mimic panel showing, and the other with a pair of throttles on screen. These tend to be tethered to a power supply as I need them all day at an exhibtion. The phones suppliment the standard NCE cab controllers.

    Paul
     
  18. Mar 24, 2021 #18
    David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    I have look at this and it was something I was planning to do, I have an old Android phone in reserve for this. However, the laptop I had connected to SPROG developed the infamous windows 10 'disk drive 100% usage' issue, which I couldn't fix despite my best efforts. So I installed Ubuntu instead and now need to get around to re-installing JMRI etc. I will probably do that over the next few days as I have plenty of time on my hands now.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2021
  19. Apr 13, 2021 #19
    bobcom52

    bobcom52 Full Member

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    The DCC++ Arduino based system would have to be the cheapest DCC command station available I would think if you don't mind using smart phones as throttles. No soldering just cut a track and install two jumpers apparently.
     
  20. Apr 13, 2021 #20
    Lankeyman

    Lankeyman Full Member

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    Everyone else must have noticed, there are shortages in numerous products, for instance I have had 5 Peco code 75 small radius points on order since Christmas, 3 l/h and 2 r/h, I have just taken delivery of the r/h but there seems to be an absence of l/h points everywhere...........just a sign of the times.
     
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