I know virtually nothing about live steam, but understand that remote control depends on two servos, one of which is continuous, and the other alternating between fixed positions for forward and reverse. Here is a video of a crude proof of concept for an AirWire controlled live steam controller. Any potential? Functions for lights, etc. could easily be added, of course.
No doubt Airwire is a good quality product, but, that set up seems to be an expensive way of achieving what already exists for a lot less.
A reliable 6 channel 2.4 Ghz Rx with directional lighting outputs and programmable default servo rotation with end point adjustments, already exists for about US$ 40 ea. An Airwire Rx costs ??
A suitable pocket sized 3 channel 2.4 Ghz tx handpiece is about US$80. An Airwire handpiece costs ??
For each loco, you would need to be able to set default rotation of servo and end points of each throw.
One other problem when it comes to market potential.
Because Airwire use a particular section of the 900 Mhz band range it is not readily available Worldwide. 2.4 Ghz is legal everywhere.,
I don’t have any interest in selling this, but I’d make code available if someone wants to build one. It seems that the only value is to be able to use a single throttle for both battery and live steam, but maybe that desire doesn’t really exist.
Hello Eric.
That desire does exist. It is how I stay in business.
Many live steamers also have a battery loco or three to switch on and run at short notice. They are sometimes used for retrieving Live Steam locos that have run out of steam.
BTW. Using a switch to set the reverser is not always adequate. Some live steam locos also have adjustable cut off so having the reverser servo proportional would also be desirable.
Thanks for the info, Tony. Just playing around with this. My real interest is in accessory decoders for existing Airwire installations.