Large Scale Central

RailPro: What are your Likes and Dislikes?

Electronics Power and Sound
#21

From the best laid plans dept - here is what I ended up with for a video. The hand-held point-and-shoot I use for video did not like the cold, kept shutting down with ‘low battery’ but as soon as it warmed up again said the battery was full :frowning: Then, when I had the shoot done and was moving files to the computer I accidentally deleted files from the camera before the copy was complete :frowning: :frowning: I also was reminded why winter operations can be challenging. Misplaced rocks, ice in flange ways etc. all contributed to several derailments. In the end, I did get enough to put together a short video that features both a morning Plow Extra and the 5 locomotive MU consist.

So, without further ado, Low Def Films presents Railfanning the Candlewood Valley Scenic Railway

#22

Yeah, if I’m going to brave the cold it will be sipping bourbon over ICE, sitting beside the fire.

NICE video! That must be one HEAVY boxcar…

1 Like
#23

Another great video, Jon. Thanks for battling the weather to get it put together. Its amazing to see 5 engines MUed together with no obvious issues. I think I will hangout with Bruce. I like his idea of hanging out in the cold :grin:

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#24

I would have added a long string of cars, but this train just fit in the shortest wye tail. With all the trouble I had with the plows I decided there would be no switching at the top of the hill.

And about the cold…

My original thought was to dedicate what will probably be my last plowing video to Ken’s memory. He was always quick to point out that winter is best enjoyed from the inside of a nice window by the fire. I’ve subscribed to that belief for the last few years. Dang RailPro got me back out in the snow. If I had got enough for a plow only video I would have done the dedication page.

2 Likes
#25

I need to update this with what I have learned.

When the battery indicator goes red, you have about a half hour of charge left. It will flash read for a minute or two before it shuts down for lack of power.

Internal batteries are standard AA NiMh batteries. Opening the case is not a job for the timid, and closing it is a challenge. There are a few tricks that help, like masking tape on the power button. Ring claims opening the case voids the warranty. As far as I could see, there was no warranty seal to break.

#26

I am planning to buy a HC-3-sun but I never understood why there was two models? Why not just have one with adjustable screen brightness? Am I missing something?
Darrell

#27

I would hold off till the end of feb. new one coming

#28

Can’t answer that other than the battery life on the Sun model is quite a bit less. I think it uses a different LCD.

HC-3 is the new one. Dealers are taking pre-orders now I think.

#29

What are the advantages of the HC-3 over the existing handhelds? Better steam sound I hope :smiley:

#30

The new HC3 is slightly smaller, has a smaller throttle knob, a lanyard hook and what I like best: 4 actual buttons that are user programmable. * Here is a comparison shot from the RPUG website…

Sounds are not a function of the HC. They are loaded on the HC for download to the Locomotive Modules where they play. The issue(s) with steam sounds are software related and could be fixed with current hardware if there was desire to do so.

EDIT to add: * The new buttons have limited selection for now: Horn, Direction, All Stop and Home. This seems too limited to me.

#31

Thanks Guys appreciate the info!!

#32

Hi Darrell, thanks for joining in, and keep posting!

#33

No sounds for RDC’s for one. RP will “loose” a locomotive if it detects a fault…. Jon probably knows a ton more…. But they controller might not recognize the loco for minutes or hours, before it reappears.

#34

Hey guys! So I finished my first RailPro install a week or so ago. Once I figured out the wiring inside the actual engine, the rest was easy. I havent run it much at all. But, like John Miller said, I have had faults detected and the only solution seems to be to reset the loco (off and on). I plan to convert my fleet slowly: one order from RCS of NE per West Springfield show. That will keep the bills low… I hope!
I will post more when I have more to share.

2 Likes
#35

The limited sound library is definitely an issue, but one I’m willing to deal with. I have not had the problem of locomotives disappearing, or loosing a loco due to a fault. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, just that it hasn’t happened to me.

The one annoyance I have is loosing access to a project program on an LM. I have a caboose with an HO LM in it running a project program rather than the loco program. Build thread is here: RailPro Caboose Project
The change of use seems to confuse the HC. The caboose sometimes shows up as a loco and then I can’t access the functions I programmed. If I delete the caboose from the HC, then find it again, it’s all good.

#36

If that was the least of my personal concerns currently that would be GREAT! I really want/need one with battery on at least to or 3 locos in my livery. Finances aren’t an issue only TIME!

However it’s a good thread and I appreciate it!

Thanks guys,
:rooster: