A shuttle unit, enabling one train to move automatically between two fixed points or stations on a standalone length of track is a favourite G scale accessory. Rack railways seem almost to come with them as standard! However, G scale shuttles (meaning those with more than 1 amp capability) aren?t cheap, so I was very pleased to stumble across the subject of this review, a 2 amp capable shuttle from Ellendt Electronics of Flensburg, Germany.
As a brief summary, I found this to be a first-rate, compact and inexpensive shuttle unit, with some useful extra features too. I recommend it heartily.
Note ? like all shuttles, this unit is for DC track power only
What Does It Do?
All shuttle units have the same basic circuit. A switch (technically a DPDT) that can reverse the polarity to both rails, coupled to an adjustable timer. A loco runs in one direction until the timer causes polarity to be reversed, at which point the loco runs the other way. In addition to being a visually appealing toy, a shuttle can be used as an alternative to test rollers to ?run in? a locomotive.
Normally, the loco is prevented from running off the track at either end by means of two diodes, fixed across an insulated track joint. All suppliers of shuttles I?ve found so far supply the necessary diodes. Additionally, LGB supply 150mm lengths of track with a connector block and one rail gapped (catalogue no. 10153).
My solution for both insulated joint and connecting the diodes was to buy two Split Jaw insulated rail clamps (about £3) and connect the diodes between the securing screws as shown below:
Technically, a sudden polarity reversal can be detrimental to a locomotive?s motor and gearbox. For that reason, LGB?s unit can be used in a ?realistic? mode that, via additional wiring, gradually reduces the voltage to zero, before switching polarity and then mapping up the volts again. However, this sophistication comes at high cost (see ?What?s the cost?) and for most users is probably unnecessary for two reasons:
1) Most shuttle trains appear to be operated at slow speed and usually come to a halt via the diode controlled sections, rather than suffering a ?plain line? polarity reversal
2) DCC fitted locos? decoders incorporate circuitry that automatically provides protection against sudden polarity switches, even on DC. At low speed, the effects are indistinguishable visually, electrically and mechanically from the LGB unit?s actions
In addition to the basic loco control, the Ellendt unit comes with terminals that can optionally be used for controlling LEDs (for example signals) or relays. Sample wiring diagrams for these are in the instructions.
What?s the cost?
As of July 2010, the Ellendt unit cost Euro 24.90 with free post to German addresses. Postage to the rest of the EU is Euro 4.90. Total to the UK Euro 29.80 (about £25).
Comparative retail prices for similar items are:
Gaugemaster 1.25amp (SS1): £27.95 + P&P
Gaugemaster 2amp (SS1-LGB): £39.95 + P&P
LGB 10340 unit: £165.00 + P&P (*)
Discounts are available from some retailers, of course.
(*) ? includes buffer stop, two 150mm sections of track and all necessary leads
With the exception of the LGB unit, in each case you will need to add the cost of insulated rail joiners, track connectors and wire to connect the power supplies, shuttle unit and track.
What Do You Get?
This is what comes in the post from Germany. The unit itself, two diodes to stop a loco at each end of its run and an instruction manual in the German language.
A close up of the circuit board itself shows (left to right):
· Timer unit with adjustment screw (a variable resistor!)
· The controlling chip and ancillary components
· Three solder connections for attaching optional LEDs or relays
· Red LED to show ?reversed? polarity when lit, ?normal? when unlit
· Switching relay, good for 2 amps at up to 30 volts
· Connection block with sensibly sized screw terminals
The unit has pre-drilled holes to attach it to a solid surface. As with all such units, it is NOT weather-resistant and is only intended for use indoors.
How Do I Connect It?
Remember that the instructions are in German, but don?t speak that language? No problem! All you really need is the diagram from the instructions (below) and the following connection information:
1) Connect terminals A+ and A- (A = Ausgang = output) on the circuit board to the track
2) Connect terminals E+ and E- (E = Eingang = input) to a controlled DC supply
3) Turn on the controller and check that a loco runs toward ?station B?
4) Reverse controller direction if required
5) Repeat step 3 and check that the loco stops as it passes over the insulated joint
6) If the loco doesn?t stop, reverse the diode?s connections and ? if necessary ? the second diode too (they must both be aligned the same way round) and repeat step 5
7) Connect terminals marked M to an AC source. A DCC 18 volt supply is fine for this.
Go through these steps and your loco will now travel back and forth, its speed determined by your DC controller and the length of any stops at each end of the track varied by the timer on the circuit board. If the loco doesn?t get to the ends of the line and stop before the shuttle unit switches polarity, increase one or both of the loco?s speed and the timer interval.
How Do I Get One?
As far as I can tell, the unit is only available on German EBay, but don?t worry, your UK EBay ID will work just fine to access http://www.ebay.de/ < Link To www.ebay.de and you can pay via Paypal. Mine came through the postal system within 3 working days!
As a brief summary, I found this to be a first-rate, compact and inexpensive shuttle unit, with some useful extra features too. I recommend it heartily.
Note ? like all shuttles, this unit is for DC track power only
What Does It Do?
All shuttle units have the same basic circuit. A switch (technically a DPDT) that can reverse the polarity to both rails, coupled to an adjustable timer. A loco runs in one direction until the timer causes polarity to be reversed, at which point the loco runs the other way. In addition to being a visually appealing toy, a shuttle can be used as an alternative to test rollers to ?run in? a locomotive.
Normally, the loco is prevented from running off the track at either end by means of two diodes, fixed across an insulated track joint. All suppliers of shuttles I?ve found so far supply the necessary diodes. Additionally, LGB supply 150mm lengths of track with a connector block and one rail gapped (catalogue no. 10153).
My solution for both insulated joint and connecting the diodes was to buy two Split Jaw insulated rail clamps (about £3) and connect the diodes between the securing screws as shown below:
Technically, a sudden polarity reversal can be detrimental to a locomotive?s motor and gearbox. For that reason, LGB?s unit can be used in a ?realistic? mode that, via additional wiring, gradually reduces the voltage to zero, before switching polarity and then mapping up the volts again. However, this sophistication comes at high cost (see ?What?s the cost?) and for most users is probably unnecessary for two reasons:
1) Most shuttle trains appear to be operated at slow speed and usually come to a halt via the diode controlled sections, rather than suffering a ?plain line? polarity reversal
2) DCC fitted locos? decoders incorporate circuitry that automatically provides protection against sudden polarity switches, even on DC. At low speed, the effects are indistinguishable visually, electrically and mechanically from the LGB unit?s actions
In addition to the basic loco control, the Ellendt unit comes with terminals that can optionally be used for controlling LEDs (for example signals) or relays. Sample wiring diagrams for these are in the instructions.
What?s the cost?
As of July 2010, the Ellendt unit cost Euro 24.90 with free post to German addresses. Postage to the rest of the EU is Euro 4.90. Total to the UK Euro 29.80 (about £25).
Comparative retail prices for similar items are:
Gaugemaster 1.25amp (SS1): £27.95 + P&P
Gaugemaster 2amp (SS1-LGB): £39.95 + P&P
LGB 10340 unit: £165.00 + P&P (*)
Discounts are available from some retailers, of course.
(*) ? includes buffer stop, two 150mm sections of track and all necessary leads
With the exception of the LGB unit, in each case you will need to add the cost of insulated rail joiners, track connectors and wire to connect the power supplies, shuttle unit and track.
What Do You Get?
This is what comes in the post from Germany. The unit itself, two diodes to stop a loco at each end of its run and an instruction manual in the German language.
A close up of the circuit board itself shows (left to right):
· Timer unit with adjustment screw (a variable resistor!)
· The controlling chip and ancillary components
· Three solder connections for attaching optional LEDs or relays
· Red LED to show ?reversed? polarity when lit, ?normal? when unlit
· Switching relay, good for 2 amps at up to 30 volts
· Connection block with sensibly sized screw terminals
The unit has pre-drilled holes to attach it to a solid surface. As with all such units, it is NOT weather-resistant and is only intended for use indoors.
How Do I Connect It?
Remember that the instructions are in German, but don?t speak that language? No problem! All you really need is the diagram from the instructions (below) and the following connection information:
1) Connect terminals A+ and A- (A = Ausgang = output) on the circuit board to the track
2) Connect terminals E+ and E- (E = Eingang = input) to a controlled DC supply
3) Turn on the controller and check that a loco runs toward ?station B?
4) Reverse controller direction if required
5) Repeat step 3 and check that the loco stops as it passes over the insulated joint
6) If the loco doesn?t stop, reverse the diode?s connections and ? if necessary ? the second diode too (they must both be aligned the same way round) and repeat step 5
7) Connect terminals marked M to an AC source. A DCC 18 volt supply is fine for this.
Go through these steps and your loco will now travel back and forth, its speed determined by your DC controller and the length of any stops at each end of the track varied by the timer on the circuit board. If the loco doesn?t get to the ends of the line and stop before the shuttle unit switches polarity, increase one or both of the loco?s speed and the timer interval.
How Do I Get One?
As far as I can tell, the unit is only available on German EBay, but don?t worry, your UK EBay ID will work just fine to access http://www.ebay.de/ < Link To www.ebay.de and you can pay via Paypal. Mine came through the postal system within 3 working days!
Alyn
