cheap handheld controller.

Lightrail · 15 Jan 2017

I'm building a small indoor layout, and would like a handheld controller. A small Piko controller I bought ( from a starter set, I think) provides enough power, and because the transformer is separate, is small-small enough to (just) fit in the palm. I'm experimenting with wiring this up so as to be used as a handheld, but has anyone got a better idea? As I will be using small locos and short trains, so full voltage/current will not be needed, so maybe one of the several 00 handhelds would suffice, with a 12v/ 1 amp output.

Many thanks, in advance.

stockers · 15 Jan 2017

If you can find one - the aristcraft train engineer from a good few years ago was excellent - and radio, so no wires. Get the black one, not orange.

chris m01 · 15 Jan 2017

If only there was something similar to the Train Engineer on sale today.

Possibly the cheapest and most effective solution would be to use a radio control set up but with the receiver/controller being used to power the track. You could use batteries or a smooth power supply for the input power.

http://rctrains.co.uk/Transmitters.htm Is a site run by a member of this forum. A transmitter is £35 and a receiver/controller £40 which isn't too bad. It will take up to 18volts and 3 amps but works great with 12 volts. I have tried this with a bench power supply and it worked fine. It might be possible to use either a laptop power supply or and led light power supply (both are quite cheap) but you would need to get advice from someone more technical than me before doing this.

Ian_S · 15 Jan 2017

Use SPROG and your phone?

Greg Elmassian · 15 Jan 2017

There is:

The Revolution train engineer is back:

Hutch · 15 Jan 2017

Ian_S said:
Use SPROG and your phone?

The only problem with the sprog is that it requires DCC in each locomotive. The trackside Revolution Train Engineer (as an example) acts like a remote controlled transformer, so all engines work.

chris m01 · 15 Jan 2017

Greg Elmassian said:
There is:

The Revolution train engineer is back:

Yes but at over 300 dollars plus post to the uk it doesn't fall within the requirement for a cheap handheld controller. To replace my good old TE and point controllers would cost 550 dollars plus postage plus duty. That's a lot more than the original TE.

Brixham · 15 Jan 2017

Mr Lightrail

You already have the Piko basic controller. Try it out as a handheld, you have nothing to loose!!
But use thickish flexible cable on any extensions to avoid power loss, something like 16/0.2 ( sixteen strands of 0.2 mm dia ). You could make this yourself with cable from any supplier. And chocolate blocks are your friends.

If it works, great

If it works, but you're unhappy with the ergonomics, then maybe a gaugemaster handheld or panel unit may be better....but their cabling is rather on the thin side.

1 amp is adequate for a small 040 loco with short trains without smoke or lights on a shunting layout...after all, this is already what you have.

I have run a shuttle layout, with a G loco on a Gaugemaster Q ( 4 track ) controller for hours on end without problems.

Malcolm

Greg Elmassian · 15 Jan 2017

You state if only there was something similar...

Then you say it's too expensive...

???

chris m01 said:
If only there was something similar to the Train Engineer on sale today.

Possibly the cheapest and most effective solution would be to use a radio control set up but with the receiver/controller being used to power the track. You could use batteries or a smooth power supply for the input power.

http://rctrains.co.uk/Transmitters.htm Is a site run by a member of this forum. A transmitter is £35 and a receiver/controller £40 which isn't too bad. It will take up to 18volts and 3 amps but works great with 12 volts. I have tried this with a bench power supply and it worked fine. It might be possible to use either a laptop power supply or and led light power supply (both are quite cheap) but you would need to get advice from someone more technical than me before doing this.

funandtrains · 21 Jan 2017

I have a UK made Helmsman transformer which has a walk around cabled controller. These are well made and quite well priced when compared with other makes. I have the 5 Amp but they do do a 1 Amp.

http://www.helmsmanuk.co.uk/Controllers.html

Madman · 21 Jan 2017

Not exactly what I call cheap, but I swear by Del's products and his service. If your running track power, here's a good alternative.

http://www.gscalegraphics.net/store/p54/TrackSide_R/C_(Base_Unit_&_Transmitter).html

cheap handheld controller.

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