Cheap 2.4GHz radio control now possible

[Del Tapparo]

Hi folks - I just discovered your site. It looks like I have been missing out!

Greg - We met in Loveland, CO a few years back. It looks like you are still having fun with the electronics. Great minds must think alike.

Just to let you all know, I offer the "2.4GHZ Enhanced RailBoss" R/C system for large scale trains, which is compatible with all of the low cost radio systems you have been discussing here. G-Scale Graphics is presently having a sale on all of our control systems; up to 30% off. The 2.4GHZ Enhanced RailBoss is on sale for $85 US. Check out our web site for full details - www.GScaleGraphics.net.

 

[Westcott]

Welcome Del!

Does your "Basic RailBoss R/C" also work with a 2.4gHz system?

Hamish

 

[Del Tapparo]

Westcott - 24/11/2009 10:52 AM

Welcome Del!

Does your "Basic RailBoss R/C" also work with a 2.4gHz system?

Hamish

I will soon be offering (as soon as I can get to it) a "Junior 2.4GHZ RailBoss", which will only use two R/C channels (proportional speed and direction), and a "Basic 2.4GHZ RailBoss", which will use three R/C channels (proportional speed, direction, and momentum). The 75MHZ Basic RailBoss you presently see on the website is intended for use with a 2-channel stick radio (no proportional throttle), such as the Futaba Attack.

 

[brianthesnail96]

Just to add I got my Planet set from a UK model shop (via eBay) and it came with a very good, clearly written and full colour set of instructions. Lots of pictures and detail.

 

[The Devonian]

<font color="#0000cc"><font size="3"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Welcome to this Forum Del, good to see you signed-in. You probably know there are quite a few here that live Stateside. :wave:
</font></font></font>

 

[Woderwick]

What amp rating are the redundant ESCs you guys have please ?

 

[Del Tapparo]

Not sure who this question is directed to .... All of the G-Scale Graphics ESCs are rated for 5 amps continuous.

 

[Woderwick]

The question is directed at those persons who have ESCs they are not going to use. i.e redundant. if they are getting on for 30 amp plus I could use them in my Mustang.

 

[GlenF]

This little Climax belonging to a mate, is 230 mm long, has 2.4 GHz control using ESC and a servo/switch reverse and my own sound circuit and speaker fitted in. So you don't have to go to electronic reversing.

It seems from what I read that electronic reversing means the joystick is central for stop, up for forward and down for reverse. That means you only get 1/2 travel for your speed control and must surely reduce the 'fineness' of speed control.

Greg

You make some valid points Greg. I certainly like your system, and I especially like the low price. How does that ESC perform at low speeds and for smooth starts?

Glen

 

[gregh]

GlenF - 25/11/2009 10:16 AM

You make some valid points Greg. I certainly like your system, and I especially like the low price. How does that ESC perform at low speeds and for smooth starts?

Glen

I've just spent a great morning running trains with 2 mates who have just installed the same 'el Cheapo' RC and ESC . No problems for anyone.

As to low speed, I'm using mine with a 10 yr old, 'cheap version' Bachmann Big Hauler motor block and it works great.
If you want I'll take a video of it at slow speed and post.

The Tx throtle has 35 'notches' or 'indents' as you go from stopped to full volts. My loco starts at crawl at about notch 5 depending on load, and just sits on the same speed. So I must have about 30 different speed steps to use.

I think part of the secret is to tailor your battery voltage to your loco. No use having a 15V battery if you only ever run your loco at half throttle - ie 7V. My big hauler has 10, old NiCd cells. Will replace with NiMH soon.

Greg

 

[gregh]

Del Tapparo - 25/11/2009 4:04 AM

Greg - We met in Loveland, CO a few years back. It looks like you are still having fun with the electronics. Great minds must think alike.

Wish we lived closer Del. I'd like to pick your brains more!

I do keep an eye on your website - seems it would be possible to use your stuff with this cheap Tx/Rx stuff I'm using ???

I noticed that Tony Walsham and RCS seems tied up with you somehow too, with his Beltrol.

All the best for your ventures. I wish I had the motivation to market stuff. But I'm too busy playing trains.

Greg

 

[gregh]

Did a short video to show that the old Big hauler starts reliably at about 'notch' 7 on the controller (out of 35 'notches'. Video is downhill on a curve - I think the most difficult. Not perfect, but OK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHw0iJMAri0

 

[Tony Walsham]

Hello Greg.
As I acknowledge on the BELTROL website:

SYSTEM CONCEPT & DESIGN BY TONY WALSHAM
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT BY DEL TAPPARO.

Del and I are co-operative friendly rivals.
Both of us are one man bands (so to speak), and it is the only way we could take on the really tall poppies and hope to survive against the onslaught of big time advertising.

Sure we do not have all the bells and whistles of the DCC + R/C and REVOLUTION systems. I personally think there is a substantial large scale market that does not want complexity.
What we offer is cost effective and most importantly, reliable.
2.4 GHz stick radios have solved all installation, motor noise and range problems.

 

[WKDOR]

Ross

Assuming (always dangerous) that you are Ross from Warwickshire on GSM, there was a thread a few months back about the mTroniks MicroViper ESC. You were going to install one in a battery/R/C Porter (from memory).

How did you get on with it please? How is it for low-speed control?

Many Thanks

Mike

 

[GlenF]

Thanks for posting the video Greg, highly impressive. I've decided to copy your RC system in one of my own locos and I'll be ordering the components in the next few days. Thanks again!

Glen

 

[Del Tapparo]

gregh - 24/11/2009 11:18 PM

Wish we lived closer Del. I'd like to pick your brains more!

Too late Greg - Tony already got what little was left! :timeout:

 

[Tony Walsham]

....and Del mine.

 

[gregh]

GlenF - 26/11/2009 10:01 AM

Thanks for posting the video Greg, highly impressive. I've decided to copy your RC system in one of my own locos and I'll be ordering the components in the next few days. Thanks again!

Glen

Good luck with the conversion. Keep us posted on your progress.
I have got another receiver and ESC, just have to decide which loco to put it in.

 

[Woderwick]

<p>Thanks Del, I missed the 5 amp bit of your reply.</p><p>Cheers</p>

 

[corgi]

I just bought another 2.4g r/c trans/rec with cable and software off ebay from hongkong for Au$67. (about 30 quid)
Plenty available at the moment.