Model Railway Forum

Hi
I think I have "fried" my NCE PowerCab when I applied some static grass to my model. When I turn it on I get the initial screen but it then goes blank and no power is supplied to the track.
My questions are whether you think this is likely, and if so whether the unit can be repaired and whether this can be done in the UK or do I have to send it to the USA?

Very easy to damage electronics when applying static grass, etc. many folk clip the earth to a handy rail.
You should disconnect your power bus from both the controller and any accessory black boxes to isolate the electrics.
Same goes for soldering droppers, etc as I found out when tacking in a lit buffer stop to a live rail.

That is exactly what I did. I last used the static grass applicator a few years ago and had forgotten about disconnecting the PowerCab.
Foolish (and expensive).

It may not help but take the back off and make sure the big integrated circuit chip is fully home in the socket. It is not unknown for them to work their way loose.

eh really! how can such a fail be attributed to a such a highly related DCC unit!!!
do not buy [mod edit - poor quality items]!

dtb wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2024 2:09 am eh really! how can such a fail be attributed to a such a highly related DCC unit!!!
do not buy [poor quality items]

Ok, lets just keep this objective and constructive, as per Rule 4.

"Comments about a manufacturer or their products must be restricted to constructive criticism. So called ‘manufacturer bashing’ will not be tolerated."

That was unfortunate Wilson. I have never used static grass but can imagine the applicator could damage any electrical item. You won’t be the first to do it.

Have you disconnected the culprit and tried the power cab again, mine has done the same on a few times but always works again later, tough bit of kit from NCE.

Thanks Brian.
I had tried turning the power on and off several times, but not with the unit disconnected. This time I did and "Hey Presto" it appears to be working again. Brilliant, and thanks again.

No problem Wilson, we were lucky the overload trip kicked in, thats one of the features of the best controller around.