The Canal Line

[coosvalley]

I

Just keep doing what you are doing - the results speak for themselves.

As far a train control goes, maybe you will eventually get bitten by the DCC bug. Even if you are a lone-wolf operator, the ability to turn the headlights on and off (or dim them) at any time (even when the loco is idling) is pretty enticing to me. DCC with the PWM motor control and BEMF for super slow speeds is really nice. And never worrying about electrical blocks with more than one locomotive on the layout is nice too. The wiring is also simplified.  You never know . . .

With the exception of headlights, I have little envy of what DCC guys have. I find sound, especially n scale sound, to be more annoying than cool..And, as I've said before, electronics is NOT my hobby.  I have tried to use one rule for this layout, and it is K.I.S.S.(keep it simple , stupid).  I would have used Caboose power routing ground throws mounted to the layout edge, and connected with steel wire for turnout control, but the canal made me decide to use powered turnouts instead. I used the Atlas turnout motors,because I am familiar with them, and I like the "snap", it reminds me of my fathers layout.

And as far as headlights, I bet a tiny watch battery could power a couple of modern tiny LEDs, and maybe include a reed switch, so that when the loco gets put away in the enginehouse, the lights go off....But, I'm not an electronics guy, so for now that sits in my idea file.

As an aside, you can build a very nice PWM throttle of your own for next to no money. Just saying...

I have seen your posts about this, but couldn't find it when I looked for a link that I had seen you post. ANY buzzing is a no go for me, my 1970s filtered DC MRC pack(complete with rusty faceplate ) controls my SWs so well it's like being back in HO.

Do the versions you've built have any noticeable "extra" motor noise?

[coosvalley]

Another reason I ended up purchasing the throttle, which does have an unacceptable buzz, is the simple one handed layout, which I absolutely love, and now that I own it and dont like it's operation, I am looking to gut it and use the components to make one I do like..IF I can figure out how....

[peteski]

Another reason I ended up purchasing the throttle, which does have an unacceptable buzz, is the simple one handed layout, which I absolutely love, and now that I own it and dont like it's operation, I am looking to gut it and use the components to make one I do like..IF I can figure out how....

Here is a PWM motor speed controller which uses 10kHz frequency.   That will likely not be audible to you. For the price you can give it a try. There are lots of this type of speed controllers available on eBay.

[DKS]

I have seen your posts about this, but couldn't find it when I looked for a link that I had seen you post. ANY buzzing is a no go for me, my 1970s filtered DC MRC pack(complete with rusty faceplate ) controls my SWs so well it's like being back in HO.

Do the versions you've built have any noticeable "extra" motor noise?

The throttles I make utilize LED strip light dimmers; they produce no motor noise that I can detect. Here's one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-8A-Light-Dimmer-Brightness-Control-For-Single-Color-LED-Strip-UP/202284818289?epid=28006860356&hash=item2f191d5f71:g:KWsAAOSwB09YQD-h You'd need to add a DPDT center off switch for train direction, and you can power them with 6 AA batteries.

I like to remount everything in a small electronics box. This makes it comfortable to hold and use in one hand. I put Velcro strips on the back and on the layout so I can hang it up when not in use, or to leave it there and use it in place. This is one I made for someone else's layout.



 

[narrowminded]

The throttles I make utilize LED strip light dimmers; they produce no motor noise that I can detect. Here's one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-8A-Light-Dimmer-Brightness-Control-For-Single-Color-LED-Strip-UP/202284818289?epid=28006860356&hash=item2f191d5f71:g:KWsAAOSwB09YQD-h

How do they do with slow speed start?  I ask because I have used some low cost high frequency PWM controllers in the past that worked fine but acted very much like a standard throttle with the slow speed starts being slightly abrupt but once started could be slowed to a creep.

[peteski]

How do they do with slow speed start?  I ask because I have used some low cost high frequency PWM controllers in the past that acted very much like a standard throttle with the slow speed starts being slightly abrupt but once started could be slowed to a creep.

That is another reason DCC excels in motor control: some (if not all) decoders apply a kickstart pulse to the motor which breaks the armature inertia when starting.

[DKS]

How do they do with slow speed start?  I ask because I have used some low cost high frequency PWM controllers in the past that worked fine but acted very much like a standard throttle with the slow speed starts being slightly abrupt but once started could be slowed to a creep.

I've found these "throttles" to be very good at low speed operation. But they're so cheap, if you don't like it, you haven't wasted much money.

[basementcalling]

wireless? Dcc or just DC, David? The answers are probably obvious, but my brain is in grade papers mode this week.   

[DKS]

wireless? Dcc or just DC, David? The answers are probably obvious, but my brain is in grade papers mode this week.   

DC, wired.

[coosvalley]

But they're so cheap, if you don't like it, you haven't wasted much money.

I agree, and we will find out, I ordered one, and enough materials to make the throttle, including 4 strand wire for this and another project, total is still under 20$..

[narrowminded]

I agree, and we will find out, I ordered one, and enough materials to make the throttle, including 4 strand wire for this and another project, total is still under 20$..

And if it's not satisfactory for train control I hear you can use them for leds.   I should probably order about ten bucks worth.

[DKS]

I agree, and we will find out, I ordered one, and enough materials to make the throttle, including 4 strand wire for this and another project, total is still under 20$..

Excellent. I'm in the midst of writing a tutorial on how to make these throttles. I should have it online in a day ot two.

[Point353]

The throttles I make utilize LED strip light dimmers; they produce no motor noise that I can detect. Here's one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-8A-Light-Dimmer-Brightness-Control-For-Single-Color-LED-Strip-UP/202284818289?epid=28006860356&hash=item2f191d5f71:g:KWsAAOSwB09YQD-h You'd need to add a DPDT center off switch for train direction, and you can power them with 6 AA batteries.

Do you add short circuit protection for the controller?

[DKS]

Do you add short circuit protection for the controller?

No. I confess to being lazy, but I have found the units themselves need no protection: a short circuit causes them no harm.

[DKS]

DC (Decent Cheap) Throttles:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44461.new