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Author Topic: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE  (Read 2441 times)

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Kisatchie

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DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« on: June 20, 2016, 06:10:18 PM »
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I'm looking at these two DCC systems:

MRC - http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/MRC-Prodigy-Express2-DCC-System-p/mrc-1420.htm

and

NCE - http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/NCE-Power-Cab-Complete-DCC-Starter-Set-w-Power-p/nce-524025.htm


I know Peteski strongly recommends the NCE system, but in looking at the photos in the above links, the MRC power supply is enclosed, while the NCE is open to dust.

Has anyone here used the MRC system? NCE?

Thanks for any help.


Hmm... flip a coin...

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"It works! It works!"

Mike C

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2016, 06:26:25 PM »
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 I use NCE , it's great , easy to use .  The power supply is a standard wall wart , The only thing "open" is the board where you plug the cab in .  I've never had any problems , it's just screwed to the front of my layout . And so far I've never had a decoder . sound or regular , that I couldn't program .  Don't need any boosters or special electronics to make it work .
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Kisatchie

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2016, 06:37:00 PM »
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The main reason I'm now looking at the MRC system is because I want to use the MRC AD520 DCC Auto Reverse Module in conjunction with my Kato turntable. It's supposed to make the turntable more convenient to use with DCC.

Any idea if the MRC auto reverse module will work without problems with the NCE system?


Hmm... I told Kiz, just
turn his locos by hand,
but NOOOOOOO... he
had to get that turntable...

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Two scientists create a teleportation ray, and they try it out on a cricket. They put the cricket on one of the two teleportation pads in the room, and they turn the ray on.
The cricket jumps across the room onto the other pad.
"It works! It works!"

Mike C

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2016, 06:40:35 PM »
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 No idea , I don't do reverse loops  . :D    The last turntable I worked with had the "split ring" type of power feed , no need to reverse electricity .
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peteski

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2016, 06:42:55 PM »
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Think of the NCE starter set as a handheld throttle which also has a command station and booster built-into the same housing.  Those are separate in the MRC system.  WHen you need to expand to a larger system, you will then buy a more powerful NCE booster and command station and then you  can still use the Power Cab unit as a standard NCE handheld throttle (its command station abd booster sections are turned of at that point)l.

I don't have experience with the MRC unit ,but just looking at its throttle's display I think that NCE with its 2 line 16 character alphanumeric display will be more user friendly than MRC.  But if you are planning on using JMRI and hook up the command station to your PC, then use JMRI for programming and smart phones for handheld throttles, then this is a moot point.
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peteski

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2016, 06:48:06 PM »
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Quote from: Kisatchie on June 20, 2016, 06:37:00 PM
The main reason I'm now looking at the MRC system is because I want to use the MRC AD520 DCC Auto Reverse Module in conjunction with my Kato turntable. It's supposed to make the turntable more convenient to use with DCC.

Any idea if the MRC auto reverse module will work without problems with the NCE system?


Hmm... I told Kiz, just
turn his locos by hand,
but NOOOOOOO... he
had to get that turntable...


The reversing units work directly with the DCC track power (they do not talk to the DCC system itself), so they are brand-agnostic.  The NCE Power Cab is a starter system which only supplies 2A of track current. I haven't looked up the MRC specs.  As long as the auto reverser has an adjustable trip current which is less than the total current available at the track output of the booster then it will work with any system.  According to what I have seen online, the best auto-reversers are the ones available from Tony's Train Exchange (I don't recall the brand name).
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Kisatchie

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2016, 09:02:18 PM »
-1
Well, I've decided on the NCE system. I've been reading about how good the Power Cab works with assorted auto reverse modules, especially the Digitrax AR-1. Thanks, everyone.


Hmm... but does Kiz
thank me? Noooooo...

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Two scientists create a teleportation ray, and they try it out on a cricket. They put the cricket on one of the two teleportation pads in the room, and they turn the ray on.
The cricket jumps across the room onto the other pad.
"It works! It works!"

Kentuckian

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2016, 09:30:22 PM »
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Quote from: Kisatchie on June 20, 2016, 09:02:18 PM
Well, I've decided on the NCE system. I've been reading about how good the Power Cab works with assorted auto reverse modules, especially the Digitrax AR-1. Thanks, everyone.
You've made a wise decision.

Hmm... but does Kiz
thank me? Noooooo...

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Genetk44

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2016, 10:08:47 AM »
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Quote from: Kisatchie on June 20, 2016, 09:02:18 PM
Well, I've decided on the NCE system. I've been reading about how good the Power Cab works with assorted auto reverse modules, especially the Digitrax AR-1. Thanks, everyone.


Hmm... but does Kiz
thank me? Noooooo...



Good choice and I think you will be very happy with it. One thing that hasn't been mentioned here is user-interface. I've never used the MRC system but. I can say that the user-interface on the NCE system is very easy,simple and intuitive. Plus you get great back-up for it from the company itself and places like Tonys Train Exchange.

Enjoy.
Gene
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Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: DCC Systems: MRC Versus NCE
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2016, 11:12:58 AM »
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I'm glad you went NCE.

I've used the MRC version at Lee's, and while it was ok, there was one major annoying quirk: you always had to tell it to use 128 speed steps instead of 32 or whatever it was by default. It was really annoying.

Plus, I feel like there are far better support and extension options for NCE, too.
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