Large Scale Central

What I want in a controller

Electronics Power and Sound
#61

Hey Steve,

The R/C part of a belt mounted TX module idea is the easy part. Although at present you will be limited to 7 channels at a reasonable cost level.

However, I know of a Chinese after market DSMX/DSM2 RX maker who should soon have a 10 channel TX module up and running at an affordable cost.

The real cost will be in the hardware. I guess 3d printing is a possibility but to date any thing larger than “0” scale printing is still expensive.

Even if I did do it I doubt I would ever make a TX with a screen. There is simply no need for a screen in the way I do things. I have no intention of ever trying to compete with DCC.

#62

In terms of spinny knobs with no stops, they’re very common on DCC systems because when you switch from loco to loco on a transmitter with a “normal” pot as a throttle (or slider or…), when you change to the new locomotive, it reads the throttle setting, and will change it from what the loco was running at. So, if your first loco is running at half throttle and the locomotive you wish to control next is stopped at a siding, it will take off at half throttle as soon as you address it with the throttle. With the spinny knobs, the throttle remembers the last speed step the loco was running at, not the position of the throttle knob. I remain much more a fan of throttle knobs with definite start and stop points, but when someone explained why the spinny knobs work as they do, it made perfect sense to me. So long as there’s a graphic display to show you what speed step you’re at on the throttle, the spinny knobs work well enough.

Later,

K

#63

Kevin Strong said:

In terms of spinny knobs with no stops, they’re very common on DCC systems because when you switch from loco to loco on a transmitter with a “normal” pot as a throttle (or slider or…), when you change to the new locomotive, it reads the throttle setting, and will change it from what the loco was running at. So, if your first loco is running at half throttle and the locomotive you wish to control next is stopped at a siding, it will take off at half throttle as soon as you address it with the throttle. With the spinny knobs, the throttle remembers the last speed step the loco was running at, not the position of the throttle knob. I remain much more a fan of throttle knobs with definite start and stop points, but when someone explained why the spinny knobs work as they do, it made perfect sense to me. So long as there’s a graphic display to show you what speed step you’re at on the throttle, the spinny knobs work well enough.

Later,

K

That DOES make a lot of sense. I probably have a very small sample size, but nobody that I know of ever tries to run more than one train at a time. I do like the ability of one transmitter to control any of my locomotives, but I have never run more than one train at a time.

#64

So, if anyone if following this thread, how many of you need to control more than one train at a time?

For me, one is enough…

#65

Bruce Chandler said:

So, if anyone if following this thread, how many of you need to control more than one train at a time?

For me, one is enough…

Not me, I dont think I’m smart enough to watch, and make decisions about, two trains at a time on my layout.

#66

I only try to control one locomotive or consist per tx. I’m fortunate that my loop can easily separate two six car trains.

I chuckle at advertisements that say I can control 99 locomotives with one tx.

#67

I run two occasionally, mostly for the Grandkids. Years ago I ran two during an open house, BAD IDEA, can’t talk to visitors and actually pay attention. End result was a crash.

#68

Since we run ““Operations”” here, I try and have a transmitter for each set of locomotives… Besides, I’m old, I have enough problems running one train at a time…

#69

With age … and recovery my wants have changed. With the last and final rebuild of my layout, I’ve shifted my desires from operations to running. Spurs are gone and passing sidings have been added. On the old config. I could have 2 on the tracks, but only 1 moving at a time.

My $100 experiment will be using this w/reed to control the passenger train while I dodge it with the local freight.

http://www.gscalegraphics.net/store/p14/Enhanced_Critter_Control.html

Presently both locos have R/C, but like others I wasn’t comfortable w/ 2 at a time running. I hope automating one will simplify ops. Either one can be sent out and the freight won’t bother to stop at depots.

John

#70

John Caughey said: the freight won’t bother to stop at depots.

I thought most stations were also a freight depot?

#71

Bruce Chandler said:

So, if anyone if following this thread, how many of you need to control more than one train at a time?

For me, one is enough…

I continually run 7 trains (plus the aerial tram) at a time and can do 8. Track power takes care of all this and, even though I’m a 1-man operation, I can freely converse with guests as we watch the action.

I use three 10 amp Train Engineers to do this. Each transmitter is programmed to a separate receiver, and any of the three transmitters can work any receiver, on the fly, by selecting the proper channel (1-3). But it would be nice if there was an emergency switch so that one transmitter could send a “stop signal” to all channels simultaneously so that one transmitter could instantly stop all of the trains without changing channels.

#72

Bruce Chandler said:

So, if anyone if following this thread, how many of you need to control more than one train at a time?

For me, one is enough…

I run two or three at a time, I would run more but don’t have my own layout yet.

#73

Todd, on an automated system you can run as many as the system can handle. On my home layout, 2 trains can run automatically. But when I am actively controlling trains, I can handle 2 (usually), but if someone else brings a third on the line, I need to park one of mine. My brain can only handle so much for so long and then something gets missed.

#74

Actually, I’m just trying to figure out how useful the “spinny” throttle is. For people running multiple trains at the same time it would seem imperative; but, for the rest of us it does not appear to offer any sort of benefit.

#75

Steve Featherkile said:

Bob McCown said:

Someone needs to make this for us. Any 3d modelers want to take the plunge?

Tony Walsham was brainstorming something like this ten or so years ago, but gave up on it as economically impractical.

I have a RailDriver for TrainSim, and other RR Sims. Its supposed to be able to operate a model railroad, somehow.

It would be cool if we could make this work with a tx.

That’s exactly the purpose of the post over at MRH. Make something semi-realistic to use instead of the traditional knob.

I will say having run both a traditional locomotive and a RCU/RCO locomotive, the RCU controls are much harder to work than a traditional control stands. Instead of having 8 notches, it has preselected speed steps; stop, coupling <4mph, coast, etc. For what it’s worth, my money is on the traditional control stand.

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/25866

#76

Todd, with the 27 mhz train engineer you can add the 55474 and have it drive a relay that removes power. output C is a 100ma driver.

#77

I probably already have one, and probably a big 4PDT relay that can kill three units (though it’s probably more than 100 ma).

Wouldn’t I still need to select the proper channel to get the 55474 to operate with the three different TE transmitters? Isn’t it also channel specific or will it work with any TE transmitter when the “C” membrane is depressed?