Large Scale Central

BELTROL-2 is now available

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

The upgraded BELTROL-2 program and hardware is now available.

The main new features of BELTROL-2 are:

  1. The addition of 2 extra built in sound triggers at no extra cost. There are now 4 x Momentary or Latch ON-OFF outputs.
  2. The elimination of messy servo leads by making installation of the RX a simple plug in deal.
  3. A much faster rate of braking for emergency stops.
  4. The new hardware will all run on constant track power or batteries.

Be sure and stop by http://beltrol-rc.com/p1159-Home.html to read all about them.

The original BELTROL range is still available under the “CLASSIC” name.

#2

“The new hardware will run on constant track power”
Now you’re talking my language Tony. Does this mean those using track power will have warranty coverage?
Ralph

#3

Ralph.
Yes the BELTROL-2 hardware will have warranty cover for use with track power.
Subject to common conditions such as the maximum voltage and proper isolation of the track pick ups. Some AC locos are compromised in that respect.
At the moment there is only a PnP ESC for AC and Bachmann locos. The regular 3 amp and 6 amp non PnP ESc’s will be available shortly.

#4

Tony
Does the track power version work like a Aristo TE set up? If not how does yours work and what are the diffs between your and the Aristo set up?

Thanks
Geoff

#5

Geoff.
Yes it is more or less the same as the onboard TE’s. Just like QSI is.
The BELTROL-2 PnP ESC simply plugs into the AC or Bachmann PnP sockets and you crank the track voltage up to a suitable level.
I advise the operators to use clean filtered DC, but, the system will run on AC or DCC. It may need the addition of suitable capacitance to filter the track voltage supply. You can easily splice in the after market AC capacitor pcb. As soon as I can find out what sort of 2 x way socket AC uses for their capacitor board connection I will make the BELTROL AC plug compatible.

#6

Thanks Tony
Sounds like a nice set up but I am still a bit puzzled. On the TE set up I have nothing on board at all. I go from the transformer to the TE to the track. SO if I have this right with your set up I would have something on the Loco’s and just crank the transformer up and then controll the loco that way?

#7

Geoff.
There are two types of TE.

  1. Trackside TE which controls the variable voltage going to the locos via the track.
  2. On board TE REVOLUTION which does require on board equipment.

Since 1992 I have been making trackside R/C, which AristoCraft copied with the TE in 1995. I still make them.

You can read about them here: http://www.rcs-rc.com/index.php?page_id=1163

My new Beltrol is like the on board TE REVOLUTION except it can do things the REVOLUTION cannot do.

#8

Tony. Thanks for the info. Now more questions.
can you run more then one loco on the track using track power at the same time? Something like I have one train running the loop and have a second train pull on to a siding and do some switching work or is it a one train one track thing with tack power?

Sorry to be such a pest but I’m trying to learn about all the R/C stuff. I have one Loco that Dave set up with your stuff (batt power) and I love it but with 15 + locos I’m looking at a ton of money and I can not make them all batt power that would not work well at Christmas time with the trains running 5 to 8 hours non stop 7 nights a week.
Thanks
Geoff

#9

There is no way of individually controlling multiple trains on one track at the same time using regular DC track power unless they each have some form of command control installed in each loco.

Track powered command control can take on various forms. DCC and track powered R/C come to mind.

Up until now I have only ever offered battery R/C. The new BELTROL-2 system is my first venture into dual mode battery or track powered R/C.

#10

My antenn"I" are raised

#11
TonyWalsham said:
There is no way of individually controlling multiple trains on one track at the same time using regular DC track power unless they each have some form of command control installed in each loco.

Track powered command control can take on various forms. DCC and track powered R/C come to mind.

Up until now I have only ever offered battery R/C. The new BELTROL-2 system is my first venture into dual mode battery or track powered R/C.


Sorry Tony I did not work the question right but you answered it for me.
I can stay with track power I just need to get the on board stuff for each loco.

Next dumb question. will the same on board stuff that works with track power also work with batt power?

If so then I can have both batt and track powered locos I know Aristo has the switch on its locos for that.

Anagin sorry for allthe dumb questions as I try and figure this all out.

Geoff

#12

Hi Geoff.
As Barry Olsen is fond of saying, There are no dumb questions. We all have to start somewhere. It is best you ask questions before spending hard earned cash on something.

Yes you can still use track power. However, you cannot run regular DC locos AND power decoder equipped locos on the same track at the same time. This is because the track voltage would need to be turned up permanently and high enough to power the decoder equipped locos.
Regular DC locos would just run uncontrolled at whatever speed the voltage on the track would drive them at.

Yes the BELTROL-2 ESC’s (decoders) can be powered by either battery or track power. Most AristoCraft locos come with a switch to allow that. As do PnP socket equipped Bachmann locos. Please note, that on AC locos the TRACK - BATTERY switch does not positively isolate one from the other. In fact some AC locos have the labeling back to front as well.
For non PnP socket equipped locos you would have to modify the locos to make the run on TRACK or BATTERY power.

I hope that helps.

#13

Let me ask another question - could you set up to have the track power charge the batteries? What I’m thinking is with track power you have the issue of dirt etc. causing loss of power. If running from the battery with the battery be charged from the track, you avoid the loss of power, gain added run time and for those locos with little room, you can use a smaller battery but still get extended run time. Your thoughts?

#14

Steve.
You can have batteries OR track power with the PnP installations. Not both.
It is possible to add suitable capacitance to tide the loco over some dirty track. You could even use batteries instead of the capacitors provided you add a suitable diode in the circuit to stop them charging.

For other installations it is possible to have both and to charge the batteries from the track.
I don’t do it. Nor do I recommend it.
My experience over 20+ years is, it complicates the wiring and requires variable charging values for the different voltages of the batteries. Also the on board charging is battery type specific. i.e. NiCd, NiMh, Li-Ion, Li-Pol etc.
Ultimately the track gets so dirty it is a waste of time.

Others will tell you it can be done and is wonderful.