shown a preview of the new transmitter for the RCS line.
www.remotecontrolsystems.com
This is supposed to integrate directly with any EL-102 or EL-103 based processor throttles (says that on the processor)…change the wires for the RX, swap the processor, and away you go. He has tested it through buildings at 120 yards, with an assistant at the loco to communicate the loco was doing what it was commanded.
Take a look.
This is all very interesting. I have enjoyed the Elite system Don Sweet put in my three trucker shay a while back.
(http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg412/DrGrab/Shaysnow1.jpg)
I would be interested in this product for my second RC/Battery conversion. Any thoughts on costs??? I could not readily find the costs of the new system on the website. Doc Tom
Don’t know if costs are up yet. I’ll ask.
Interestingly, today I replaced the original RCS board(s) in my first shipment, first production run Shay with…are you ready…one 5 years newer!
Old one (MT3+1) had a board reminiscent of some other controller, 4-1/2" long, and all that. It was two button, I wanted to make it reverse-button operable like all my others. That board went in two weeks after I got the Shay, what, 13 years ago? Still works fine, but this cleans it up a bit, gives me reverse button capabilities, and three sound trigger outs for future sound installation…remember, 13-18 years ago, very few folks used sound. Nowadays, very few DON’T use sound.
What, operate without sound - - how dull!!! The quite ones are a real pain, you don’t know if the moving or not!
Paul
All ya gotta do is clean yer glasses once in a while, EPA…
From the description, it “sounds” like you almost need sound for this system; it triggers the bell sound to confirm linking, and uses the whistle to confirm the “recall” command. For those who do eschew “noise machines,” might I suggest a plug-in board with LED indicators or a way to flash the headlight instead to make these indications?
I’m also not seeing a “direction” button on the transmitter. Does that mean you hold the down-arrow button to slow your loco down, then continue through the stop and starts going backwards? (And vice versa on the up-arrow?) I hope not. It’s always been counter-intuitive to me to push the “down arrow” button to increase speed and push the “up arrow” button to go slower, especially when switching or running locos like a center cab diesel.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m pleased to see the improvements being made in terms of range and added sound triggers. Those were by far RCS’s Achilles heel. I think, though, that when compared to the latest control systems from the “other guys,” the RCS motor control itself is comparatively coarse. I’d like to see refinements in that as well to make it more competitive with the newer stuff.
Later,
K
Dave:
Are new Elsema based processor throttles available and will they continue to be available?
Will there be complete new systems with the RailLinx Hand Controller & Receiver when it becomes available?
Will those new systems fit in my Climax?
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Hello guys,
Kevin, the “Up & Down” arrows are also the direction controls and they it will not reverse directions once you come to a stop. By pressing the “Up” arrow you will increase speed, by pressing the “Down” arrow you will decrease speed. Once you either come to a stop or press the stop button, you when can reverse your direction by pressing either the “Down” arrow or the “Up” arrow. The membrane switch overlay is a momentary switch and allows you to keep your loco at a constant speed or gradually increase or decrease the speed by pressing the “Up or Down” arrows. The buttons are very easy to press, so if you would like to ramp up the speed quickly you can hold down the “Up or Down” arrow buttons until you get to your desired speed.
Jerry, yes you can still purchase the Elite Series 3, 6 & 9amp throttle boards from Dave or Don. Yes, there will be a complete new system in the RailLinx 900mhz product line (G Scale, O & HO versions), including a sound card with basic steam & diesel sound all programmed within the same card. And yes, it will fit into your Climax.
This first version of the New RailLinx Control System is to get the existing Elite Series customers up to 900mhz, for longer range control and more options. This new system consist of the New RailLinx Hand Controller and 900mhz Receiver, along with 9V lithium battery, Raine adjustable nylon case and the EL102 chip upgrade.
Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC
“900 mhz” !!! Well done Rick 
I went to Airwire (also 900mhz) the day it was offered just to get decent range. Good luck with your product launch.
Thanks Larry, that’s very kind of you!
Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC
Thanks, Rick. Good to hear. Is there any provision for controling the rate of increase/decrease while holding down the arrow keys? (i.e, how long it takes from stop to full?)
Later,
K
Hi Kevin,
Not really, but we can set parameters (Rate of Increase) in the EL102 code. Or better yet, we may be able to give you a set a key strokes and a series of buttons to push so “you” can set the rate of increase to your liking. For example: buttons 1 - 66 could also be used for speed control. We would set the “speed control” at normal speed (0 - 25mph = #25 on the hand controller) so if 25 is normal and you would like to increase the rate of speed you would type in a series of buttons like: Press the “Up” arrow and “Enter” buttons at the same time, which opens the code…then type in the speed increase you want from the 1 - 66 buttons on the key pad…so then you would type in 30, then press “enter.” This would increase the rate of speed from 0 - 60mph. Something like that?
Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC