DC (Decent Cheap) Throttles

[coosvalley]

Pete - my thought was if this was in a different forum, perhaps those with zero interest in DCC but are DC interested might have seen the post as I rather doubt many DC folks with visit this forum that often.
Cheers,
Bill

I think you assume too much. I do not DCC,nor am I likely to, however, despite your assumption, I visit this board quite often..If you just assume it's all DCC talk here, and ignore this board,  that's not the original posters fault , he put the thread where it belongs..I suggest reviewing your browsing practices.

We have a board to discuss DCC AND Electronics, why would this belong elsewhere?..It's not like it is scale specific

If you want more people to see it, maybe tell your friends?

[peteski]

Pete - my thought was if this was in a different forum, perhaps those with zero interest in DCC but are DC interested might have seen the post as I rather doubt many DC folks with visit this forum that often.
Cheers,
Bill

As few of us have mentioned, this section of the Railwire is not just for DCC.  I can see where some modelers are "DCC-averse" and I would not object to reshuffle the forum's name making the word DCC trail the word "electronics".  If you think about it, like it or not, even operating DC trains involves some electronics.  Most contemporary DC throttles are electronic devices (they contain electronic components like diodes, transistors, capacitors, and resistors).   The DC locomotives also contain Light Emitting Diodes, resistors, and capacitors.  It is all electronics (whether you want to admit it or not).

But ok, even if your advice was taken, in which section of the forum would you post this electronic DC throttle info?  N and Z? H0 and larger?  The throttle is not scale specific. It is not scratch-building or weathering or Layout design.  New products section?  Crew Lounge?

I have a feeling that you would have plopped it right smack in the middle of the section you likely visit most often: the N and Z scale.  But what about the larger scale folks? They would likely not see this clever design.  I think that this thread is exactly where it belongs.

[coosvalley]

Is this diagram correct?..I'm trying this, but can only get it to work going in one direction..

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[MK]

DPDT directional toggle switch looks correct to me.

[DKS]

The diagram is correct. Have you tried a different loco? Do you have a test meter that you can use to confirm the DPDT is functional? I've occasionally gotten duds.

[coosvalley]

I got it working. I had to connect the unused terminals to the "track power out" wires, and this gave me the ability to change direction.

On a less positive note, it has adds a loud high pitched whine to the motor noise. It is a much higher sound than my other pwm throttle. I have it connected to a power pack currently, I am going to try batteries to see if it improves.

[DKS]

I got it working. I had to connect the unused terminals to the "track power out" wires, and this gave me the ability to change direction.

Excellent.

On a less positive note, it has adds a loud high pitched whine to the motor noise. It is a much higher sound than my other pwm throttle. I have it connected to a power pack currently, I am going to try batteries to see if it improves.

I am sorry to hear that. Mine have not produced loud high pitched whines, but two things come to mind. One, I am losing my hearing, especially high frequencies. Two, there may be variations in the behavior of these dimmers. I hope battery power helps, but if not, then at least you haven't spent much money.

[narrowminded]

How is the low speed start?  I ask because I have a few low cost high frequency controllers that have start characteristics that are not much different than a standard non PWM controller.  Those same locos have excellent low speed start with a low frequency controller. 

In my limited variety of controllers used, both high and low frequency introduced some noise.  Anywhere from almost imperceptible to noticeable with neither being real bad unless there were loose parts set to vibrating.  The type of noise varies with the frequency as would be expected.  It's also there with DCC.  Not very loud at all but it's there.  One thing that definitely effected the noise level in my miniature chassis tests was the chassis density and part fits.  If it's an objectionable level see if gripping the loco changes the noise level.  That would indicate that there might be some parts able to vibrate against each other which could be reduced if you could snug things up.

[coosvalley]

Excellent.

I am sorry to hear that. Mine have not produced loud high pitched whines, but two things come to mind. One, I am losing my hearing, especially high frequencies. Two, there may be variations in the behavior of these dimmers. I hope battery power helps, but if not, then at least you haven't spent much money.

It wasn't a huge investment, and I put it together myself, so it was a cool project, even if I don't end up using it.

How is the low speed start?  I ask because I have a few low cost high frequency controllers that have start characteristics that are not much different than a standard non PWM controller.  Those same locos have excellent low speed start with a low frequency controller. 

In my limited variety of controllers used, both high and low frequency introduced some noise.  Anywhere from almost imperceptible to noticeable with neither being real bad unless there were loose parts set to vibrating.  The type of noise varies with the frequency as would be expected.  It's also there with DCC.  Not very loud at all but it's there.  One thing that definitely effected the noise level in my miniature chassis tests was the chassis density and part fits.  If it's an objectionable level see if gripping the loco changes the noise level.  That would indicate that there might be some parts able to vibrate against each other which could be reduced if you could snug things up.

The slow speed is great, but my filtered DC pack ran things really well too, so I can't say for sure if it's an improvement, but it is not worse! Most of my locos have great slow speed running anywho, and that is not what I needed to improve. What I'm really after is a walkaround controller, and , aside form the noise, this controller makes operating the layout more enjoyable.

I'm going to try to show you guys a video of what it sounds like, my Arnold SW1s emit a noise not unlike tuning an AM radio using this throttle..

[TrainboySD40]

Thank you, Mr. Foxx. For those wondering what he's talking about, here's the throttle (along with turnout controls) for a micro-layout I built:

I just want to chime in and say that this is incredibly imaginative and I love it.