Large Scale Central

Topic: Found: Inexpensive and Capable Radio Control Unit

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

Good day! I recently began looking into inexpensive (less than $20) radio control units that can be used with our large scale trains.

I have found a transmitter / receiver pair that can be had for as little as $6.00 (delivered!). This unit is designed for use with LEDs but, with the addition of a single diode, can be used with our trains.

The unit can turn the locomotive on and off and can adjust speed from stopped to full speed in gradual steps with a 3 button key chain remote. Input voltage can be from 12 to 24 volts.

The only deficiency is the lack of a reverse function as you don’t reverse LEDs! I mulled this over for a time and have designed a simple circuit composed of a relay and microcontroller that adds reverse to the system without modifying the receiver.

I am very pleased with the results I have been able to achieve and wish to share this information with the large scale community.

My notes and observations are on my web page here:
Article on Remote Control
Please let me know if you have any questions.

dave

#2

Hard to get simpler/cheaper than that.

#3

Agreed, Mark - the cooest part is that it works & does so rather well!

dave

#4

I really like the simplicity of this and have ordered one to give it a try, but the reversing part is beyond me. I’ve tried making sense of your diagram but not knowing much about electrical circuits or programming scares me from even attempting the reverser.

Would putting in a double pole type switch to manually reverse polarity to the motor work? I know it contradicts the whole concept of “remote”.

#5

Dave that is brilliant!

Thanks for the directions!

Jeff

#6

Red said:

I really like the simplicity of this and have ordered one to give it a try, but the reversing part is beyond me. I’ve tried making sense of your diagram but not knowing much about electrical circuits or programming scares me from even attempting the reverser.

Would putting in a double pole type switch to manually reverse polarity to the motor work? I know it contradicts the whole concept of “remote”.

Red - a DPDT switch is A-OK in my book - it does make it a bit tougher as you have to get to the train but it will do the same job as a DPDT relay.

The reverser is not really meant for those who may not be into electronics as it requires some soldering and circuit completion - I just did it to show it could be done!

dave

#7

Good day - I continue to experiment with the small RC units. I ran my Shay with six cars the other day and the unit worked flawlessly.

I redesigned the reversing unit and the software that controls it to make it more reliable and simpler.

I also constructed the reverser right on the back of the RC receiver circuit board using only 7 components.

My notes are here:

[trainelectronics.com/Articles/RadioControl-LED-8Amp/#Dead_Bug_Reverse_Circuit_Installation]New Reverser Notes](http://trainelectronics.com/Articles/RadioControl-LED-8Amp/#Dead_Bug_Reverse_Circuit_Installation)

The link takes you to the new reverser portion of the web page.

dave

#8

Dave, what about Back EMF? I have no idea what that is, but some folks seem to think it is important. :slight_smile:

#9

Steve - that is dealt with by the installation of the diode across the output terminals - without the diode the back EMF from the motor will kill the output transistor.

dave

#10

Dave: I looked over your article about using these and I loved it. I just ordered three unit. These will be perfect to install in my wifes Xmas Egglinners. I already have the relays and the Pixace 08M chips. This will give me an excuse to finish assemblying the 14.8 Volt LiIon Battery Packs. The parts and cells are still in the box I got them in 6 months ago. I had been looking at some 2.4GHz Transceiver modules and was thinking about seeing if they would work with my Picaxe chips, but I like how these look and the price is just right. $5.30 each and free shipping. can’t beat that.

Thanks for the heads up and great article.

Dan S.

#11

Wow, that’s a cheap option!

Do they work in multiple engines without responding together? Different frequencies? I’ve got to look closer. A lot to absorb for me!

It maybe a lot better option than handing the grandkids a $150 remote that they drop.

#12

You have presented this project in a way that makes it super easy and super clear. Way to go, David!

#13

Joe Paonessa said:

Wow, that’s a cheap option!

Do they work in multiple engines without responding together? Different frequencies? I’ve got to look closer. A lot to absorb for me!

It maybe a lot better option than handing the grandkids a $150 remote that they drop.

Joe-you have to be careful when ordering the units as two that I received were on the same frequency and either transmitter keyed both receivers. The units that have an ID number on a tag on the side of the receiver and on the back of the transmitter are the ones that have unique codes - in most ads for the units you can see these labels on the receiver -

dave

#14

David Bodnar said:

Joe Paonessa said:

Wow, that’s a cheap option!

Do they work in multiple engines without responding together? Different frequencies? I’ve got to look closer. A lot to absorb for me!

It maybe a lot better option than handing the grandkids a $150 remote that they drop.

Joe-you have to be careful when ordering the units as two that I received were on the same frequency and either transmitter keyed both receivers. The units that have an ID number on a tag on the side of the receiver and on the back of the transmitter are the ones that have unique codes - in most ads for the units you can see these labels on the receiver -

dave

Thank you!

#15

I just ordered 2 for $12 thats with shipping from Amazon. I wont be able to do the reversing board but a DPDT switch will work just fine for me.

#16

Very cool stuff and uber cheap! I have a few questions. How do you activate reverse from the controller? How fine are the speed steps? How is slow speed control? Whats the overall size?
Thanks, Terry

#17

Terry Burr said:

Very cool stuff and uber cheap! I have a few questions. How do you activate reverse from the controller? How fine are the speed steps? How is slow speed control? Whats the overall size?
Thanks, Terry

Terry - I think you will find the answers to your questions in the article (link in first message) -

Short answers:

  1. reverse is activated every other time you start up from being off - first time on it goes forward, second time reverse, third time forward…

  2. I can’t give a number but speed control is certainly useable as fine speed adjustments are easy to do.

  3. slow speed control is also good -

  4. the Amazon link says 4.6 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches for the receiver

#18

Thanks!