2.4 GHz for dummies

[Granitechops]

Well this 'radio' dummy
I took the step from track power to onboard battery power quite early on, basically using manual speed controllers.
Radio control loooks enticing, for home use, so I can run 2 trains, especially while videoing.
At present I have to set the camera going,
go round behind the scenery to where the train is set up ready
switch on, get back to the camera without appearing on scene
allow train out of shot, race off & switch engine off
filming 2 trains is quite interesting!!
Also when I visit Dartbridge on the South Devon Garden Railway at Buckfastleigh, we are extending the track
& I am concerned that the longer distances that the train is away from me, could prove problematic in case of a derailment
either mine or someone elses, as the ground is uneven for precise & rapid wheelchair control!!!

I have read several of the radio control threads.
I have ABSOLUTELY NO experience of radio control
I have to consider very carefully expenditure
So
I already have batteries switches wire etc
From my reading it would seem that 2.4 is the way to go
(especially as much of my track is behind solid scenic breaks & backdrops effecting such systems as keyfob control)
Is the T5 2.4GHz the newest & cheapest option
( I run NG so only really want speed & direction control, not inertia & whistles etc)
I see that the T5 that Brian Jones sells appears to be the same as the one planet sells & about the same price
Is there anything cheaper that would do what I want As far as I can see I would need
the transmitter & receiver (T5) [about £50]
Electronic Speed Contoller ( to go upto 24 volts, Maplins only go to 16 volts) brian Jones Mac5 about £60
any other options, without buying components & doing a self build

any comments that might save me money and /or embarrassment please

 

[Neil Robinson]

I have dealt with Brian Jones on a couple of occasions and I have found him most helpful.
I suggest you contact him by email or phone and discuss your exact requirements. You'll then get what you want and it will work.
You may perhaps be able to find stuff a little cheaper, but you may end up ordering from a few different sources and then find you've forgotten something, racking up the postal charges. IMHO, from my limited battery control experience, getting the lot from Brian and having the piece of mind of his experience and after sales service is the best option.

 

[New Haven Neil 2]

The Roundhouse speed controller is good, £50 I think, I have just fitted one to a trail van for a friend, with 14.4v of nimhs, drives an Accucraft Loch and Caledonia just fine. Good speed control, but buzzes a bit, this works a treat with Planet 5 r/c, don't forget you'll need to add a switch and battery pack to this r/c, it comes purely as a transmitter and receiver.

 

[Granitechops]

The Roundhouse speed controller is good, £50 I think, I have just fitted one to a trail van for a friend, with 14.4v of nimhs, drives an Accucraft Loch and Caledonia just fine. Good speed control, but buzzes a bit, this works a treat with Planet 5 r/c, don't forget you'll need to add a switch and battery pack to this r/c, it comes purely as a transmitter and receiver.

Lets see if I grasp this
the receiver will work off the engine battery, right?
but the transmitter comers without batteries
switch for receiver end??
as I would assume the transmitter would be fitted with an off/on one?
Does the Roundhouse speed controller go up to 20-22 volts?
(Cant see the speed controller on the Roundhouse site?)
so extra cost on top, OK.
thanks NHNeil
hope your hols were recuperative!!

 

[Granitechops]

I have dealt with Brian Jones on a couple of occasions and I have found him most helpful.
I suggest you contact him by email or phone and discuss your exact requirements. You'll then get what you want and it will work.
You may perhaps be able to find stuff a little cheaper, but you may end up ordering from a few different sources and then find you've forgotten something, racking up the postal charges. IMHO, from my limited battery control experience, getting the lot from Brian and having the piece of mind of his experience and after sales service is the best option.

Good points Neil R
thanks for your input

 

[New Haven Neil 2]

Pretty much spot on - the receiver is powered from the speed controller if it has the facility to do so - the Roundhouse one does, as do most these days - but you need to provide a switch, and a dpdt switch for charging/run control too.

I don';t think the R/H controller does more than 14.4v IIRC, which is more than enough for Accucraft locos, unless you like warp speeds - not sure how fast LGB mechanisms go at that voltage, I should imagine it's ample.

Holidays were great thanks, and thanks again for the offer - another time, we go down west fairly often as Mrs NHN is Cornish!

 

[Granitechops]

Pretty much spot on - the receiver is powered from the speed controller if it has the facility to do so - the Roundhouse one does, as do most these days - but you need to provide a switch, and a dpdt switch for charging/run control too.

I don';t think the R/H controller does more than 14.4v IIRC, which is more than enough for Accucraft locos, unless you like warp speeds - not sure how fast LGB mechanisms go at that voltage, I should imagine it's ample.

Holidays were great thanks, and thanks again for the offer - another time, we go down west fairly often as Mrs NHN is Cornish!

Thanks Neil,
I utilise my ex wheelchair batteries so its either 12 volts only or 24 volts,
the ESC would blow at 24v & 12v is hardly enough for the size of my trains being 1/12th scale
At 12 volts I got ( manual control) 3 hours running on the Buckfast layout last week end, with still plenty of power left,
but that layout is dead flat
at home I get less run time as I have sharper curves & inclines of upto 1in 20
So although 14 volts would be enough supply to engine motors, to get that at output side would need the controller to cope with the input of 24v

I could of course use smaller batteries giving less volts, but I suspect that would upset the stability of Jenny Frugal the Garratt,
the weight low down of the 2 x 12v w/chair batteries, has allowed ON TEST only, 24v, no speed controller, straight(with fuse) to motors of flat out speed around R1 curves & reverse curves as well without a flicker of heeling over
That I emphasise was just a stability test, As I dont like whippet trains

 

[whatlep]

From my reading it would seem that 2.4 is the way to go
(especially as much of my track is behind solid scenic breaks & backdrops effecting such systems as keyfob control)

Purely FYI my Cliff Barker system will receive commands from its "cigarette packet" controller from the other side of the house through various brick walls. Considerably neater handset than any of the 2.4 ones I've seen and the "halt/resume" feature is outstanding. http://www.cliffbarker.me.uk/ and go to Speed Controller.

 

[Westcott]

I use http://www.electronize.co.uk/online_ordering.htm < Link To Electronize FR8T-xx ESCs - 24V 8A £36.60 inc. delivery.
No connection except as satisfied customer.

 

[mmts]

I have used the same kit as westcott with two 7.2volt stick type battery's in a LGB loco and the speed is just about right

 

[New Haven Neil 2]

I've used Electronize too, but found the low speed control poor. They're a bit big too. I have also seen variable results from the Cliff Barker systems regarding low speed control, must be a set-up issue I suppose, they seem to be able to do it, just not all of them! It certainly is a neater option than a full size r/c transmitter. How are yours Mel, for slow speed start/stop control??

 

[Granitechops]

From my reading it would seem that 2.4 is the way to go
(especially as much of my track is behind solid scenic breaks & backdrops effecting such systems as keyfob control)

Purely FYI my Cliff Barker system will receive commands from its "cigarette packet" controller from the other side of the house through various brick walls. Considerably neater handset than any of the 2.4 ones I've seen and the "halt/resume" feature is outstanding. http://www.cliffbarker.me.uk/ and go to Speed Controller.

Peter, have you got the keyfob type or the 'small transmitter' type?
did read on one of the threads that one user had problems with "out of sight" operation

I do like the idea behind the 'small transmitter' as to operation as opposed to tnhe 'Large' R/C type handset!!
I do like also the "halt/resume" feature

 

[yb281]

I've used Electronize too, but found the low speed control poor. They're a bit big too. I have also seen variable results from the Cliff Barker systems regarding low speed control, must be a set-up issue I suppose, they seem to be able to do it, just not all of them! It certainly is a neater option than a full size r/c transmitter. How are yours Mel, for slow speed start/stop control??

Absolutely brilliant Neil. All of my locos can be controlled right down to walking speed, maybe even slower. The number of speed steps is almost infintisimal, but they can be adjusted to suit each individual application - it's very easy to do. Must be if I can do it (see avatar).

As you say, maybe some of the ones you've seen needed a little fettling.

 

[yb281]

Peter, have you got the keyfob type or the 'small transmitter' type?
did read on one of the threads that one user had problems with "out of sight" operation

Must have missed that one Don. I use two of the small transmitters and have never had an issue with range - in fact I can operate trains perfectly in the back garden while standing in the front garden ............ with the wife standing at the kitchen door shouting instructions as to where the train is.

Sometimes you know, our neighbours seem unsure about our level of sanity.

 

[whatlep]

Peter, have you got the keyfob type or the 'small transmitter' type?
did read on one of the threads that one user had problems with "out of sight" operation

I do like the idea behind the 'small transmitter' as to operation as opposed to tnhe 'Large' R/C type handset!!
I do like also the "halt/resume" feature

I have the "small transmitter" type, as does Mel (yb281). I think Bram uses the keyfob type. No problems with range or slow speed operation. In fact the slow-speed performance is better than analogue or DCC on default speed settings. As with all devices, it pays to read the instructions and set up to your needs if the defaults don't suit, though you can run "out of the box" quite happily, which is what I did at first.

I should point out that I have no connection with Cliff Barker other than as a very impressed customer. Indeed so impressed I recently ordered a second set-up so I can run two trains indoors without the dust from graphite pickups.

Like Mel, I believe in thorough testing, involving the family. Using the cordless phone's intercom facility and pressing buttons on a black box while standing in the lane outside in my slippers has made sure that no-one in the village hangs around for a chat.....

 

[Granitechops]

Right, lets clarify a point,
If i do 3 engines say, with the Keyfob system, I will need 3 keyfobs/mini transmitters & 3 matching receivers & 3 speed controllers
If i do 3 engines say, with the planet 2.4HGz system, I will need 1 transmitter & 3 receivers & speed contollers
yes or no??

 

[yb281]

Right, lets clarify a point,
If i do 3 engines say, with the Keyfob system, I will need 3 keyfobs/mini transmitters & 3 matching receivers & 3 speed controllers
If i do 3 engines say, with the planet 2.4HGz system, I will need 1 transmitter & 3 receivers & speed contollers
yes or no??

I can only answer for the Cliff Barker stuff Don. If you want to run all 3 engines at the same time, then yes you will need 3 of everything. However, if you only want to run any one of them at a time, then Cliff can programme all the receivers to run off one controller.

Alternatively, you can do what I do and have all the RC equipment in an item of rolling stock and plug locos in to it as and when required.

 

[Tony Walsham]

You might also want to consider the Remote Control Systems (RCS) ESC's I make.
They will all handle up to 24 volts and are available in 3 amp and 6 amp versions.
They also have directional constant brightness lighting and four sound triggers.
I use, recommend and sell Planet 2.4 GHz R/C here in Australia.

 

[MRail]

Right, lets clarify a point,
If i do 3 engines say, with the planet 2.4HGz system, I will need 1 transmitter & 3 receivers & speed contollers
yes or no??

That's a YES. But you can only run one loco at a time. So if a friend visits...
I prefer one tranny per loco. A visitor recently looked in my shed and said "Radio City!"
On the video question, you have to manage both camera and tranny.
Being a multi-jointed contortionist helps.
A one-handed control sounds like a good option.

 

[MRail]

I should have added that if you use a reversing ESC (not all do) then it needs only one channel on the radio.
You can set up other locos and ESC's to use the other channels.
Then you can run two (or more) simultaneously - and dodge the collisions.
You still have to operate the camera...