Cheap 2.4GHz radio control now possible

gregh

gregh

electronics, computers and scratchbuilding
1 Nov 2009
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Sydney, Australia
www.members.optusnet.com.au
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<p>Model plane fliers use 2.4 GHz radio control for their electric planes. The equipment has been too expensive to consider for GR, but now I've found that a company in Hong Kong sells a transmitter/receiver pair for $US30. </p><p>Coupled with a motor speed controller (they call them Electronic Speed Controllers or ESC) and a small servo motor, I can get all the electronics landed in Australia for around $A70. Add in some NiMH cells for the transmitter and loco from the same place, and for under $A100 I have a battery powered RC loco. (say 50 pounds to you Poms)</p><p>A second (and third etc) loco can be done for another $A50 using the one transmitter.</p><p>I've written up how I did it here.....................
<a href="http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/2point4GHz.htm">http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/2point4GHz.htm</a></p><p>I'll try to attach a pic of my customised transmitter - just a few labels so I can remember what does what. (I've got speed, direction and volume controls - whistle to come later)</p>
 
Looks interesting, is there any glithching and how far before before you are out of signal range
 
I've used a similar setup for some months now with complete success.
As others have reported, 2.4gHz kit is totally glitch free, and the range is too large to be measured.
 
I've been using these radios for a couple of months now. Hobby King, SNHobbies, Hobbypartz all sell them (they're all the same radios just relabeled). I have receivers for them in three locos, an RC sailboat and an RC plane. All have performed well with no glitching.
The model RR application is using the "cheapie" 2.4ghz system with RCS speed controls. I was using a surface 75mhz radio before and had to deal with glitching. The 2.4ghz system is far more stable particularly in the electronically noisy model RR environment.

As far as range goes I had my 1 meter sailboat get very small being at least 150 yards away with no problems and a friend using one of these radios has specked out an airplane while maintaining complete control. So in the RR arena there should be no problems. My layout is in my basement with the track going behind a wall and the receiver picks up signal even when the train is out of sight.
Off to look at the sites listed here to get more ideas.
Dave
 
Greg,
That's the way I did my first RC system. The only problem I found with it was most airplane ESC's have a low switching rate (the way the control the speed) which generates a whine in the motor. There are also some boat ESC's that are inexpensive and they have a forward and reverse function built in eliminating the need for the servo and dpdt switch. They tend to generate the whine also though.
One company, Dimension Engineering, makes and sells an ESC (Syren) which has a very high switching rate which eliminates the whine. This feature is even mentioned on their website.
Personally I'm enjoying the features that the RCS ESC's have and G-Scale Graphics has a similar ESC's.
One other note about the 2.4 receivers. If you're cramped for room you can remove the smaller satellite receiver and the system will still work. I don't think I'd try it with a plane but in the 2 dimensional RR environment I've had no problems at all.
Hope this helps, off to look at more links listed above.
Dave
 
Greg

I note this was your first post, you have just gotta post more.
I checked out yor website you have some brilliant ideas. Loved the turntable!
Your Radio control has a great write up realy easy for a numbskull like me.

Great stuff from the other guys too, some realy hady links.

Cheers
Garry
 
GarryH - 23/11/2009 10:00 AM

Greg

I note this was your first post, you have just gotta post more.
I checked out yor website you have some brilliant ideas. Loved the turntable!
Your Radio control has a great write up realy easy for a numbskull like me.

Great stuff from the other guys too, some realy hady links.

Cheers
Garry
Click to expand...
Thanks Garry.
Great to see that others have been trying 2.4 GHz. I always knew it worked but cost was prohibitive. This stuff is 1/3 price of what it used to be.

As others have said, no glitch or range problems. I have removed the 2nd, auxiliary Rx and the aerial is tucked in wherever it squishes, and no problem. The Tx has a 'test range' button which apparently reduces the power output, but even with that pressed, it still works over the 20m I can get in my yard.
The ESC has a slow shut down feature, where it can lose signal for 1 sec and nothing happens - ie it keeps going at same speed. After 3 seconds of no signal, it slows to a stop.
Must look up those reversing boat controllers, but I think they'll be hard pressed to be cheaper than these $US5 controllers and a servo operating a DPDT switch.

I haven't noticed any switching whine from the controller. They work at 2.4 KHz and maybe my old ears can't hear that.

Greg
 
Russ's link to robot marketplace has the Syren speed I wrote about. Ot has a high switching rate and has forward and reverse built in so you don't need switches and/or servos.
http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/0-SYREN10.html

You also might want to check out this thread on Freerails.com-
http://freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=1221&forum_id=45
Its a long thread so start here at the end and work backwards, start around message 30 or so to be in this year. They're using RC car speed controls.

Dave
 
Us live steamy types in the UK (broad term, as i'm not in it....but I see most posts on this thread are from afar!!) have started using 'Planet' 2.4 gig gear - £40 as cheap as chips and works a treat!!

NHN
 
Interesting system Greg, thanks for sharing. However due to space constraints (I only run small locos!) I'd rather have the direction electronically controlled from the ESC itself as opposed to using a servo.

I've been experimenting with various cheap ESCs for some while but haven't yet found one suitable for locomotive use. They've all had poor slow speed control making smooth starts impossible.

I'm aware of the units from RSC and others and they all sound wonderful. But they're a little expensive. I just want something simple that will give me smooth variable speed forward and reverse. I'm not interested in directional lighting or sound or momentum control. So can anyone recommend a suitably cheap ESC that has been loco tested?

Glen
 
GlenF - 24/11/2009 11:07 AM

Interesting system Greg, thanks for sharing. However due to space constraints (I only run small locos!) I'd rather have the direction electronically controlled from the ESC itself as opposed to using a servo.

Glen
Click to expand...

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
 
The Micro Viper ESC (and its price) looks interesting but according to the spec on another website it is a bit undersized for a typical GScale loco:

4.8V - 12.0V input voltage

It also needs you to fit motor capacitors.

Anyone used on yet? Can you confirm whether the low-speed control is any good?


Glen

For manual control but with smooth acceleration/deccelaration take a look at Del Tapparo's Critter controls over at G-Scale Graphics. I have the early version in a couple of locos and am very pleased. No other association etc ............


Mike
 
NHN Neil

I am looking to go with 2.4Ghz too but am concerned about the lack of documentation/support (including user forums) from the cheaper brands when compared to Spektrum.

How has your expereince of Planet been? Did you need any access to documentation/support?

Many Thanks

Mike
 
I have found the Planet to be very workable.
I tested the TX and RX combination for about 5 months.
You can download the manual from here.

http://attachments.modelengines.com.au/products/files/7710202[460].pdf?r=1256277491
 
The cheapo set I bought came with no documentation, but it just worked OK when I switched it on.

It's connected to one of Brian Jones' ESCs
http://www.brianjones.free-online.co.uk/page8.html

Another UK source of ESCs is Electronize
http://www.electronize.co.uk/model_electronics_frames.htm
 
WKDOR - 24/11/2009 10:51 AM



The Micro Viper ESC (and its price) looks interesting but according to the spec on another website it is a bit undersized for a typical GScale loco:

4.8V - 12.0V input voltage

It also needs you to fit motor capacitors.

Anyone used on yet? Can you confirm whether the low-speed control is any good?


Glen

For manual control but with smooth acceleration/deccelaration take a look at Del Tapparo's Critter controls over at G-Scale Graphics. I have the early version in a couple of locos and am very pleased. No other association etc ............


Mike
Click to expand...




New version of the Viper shows 6v to 14.4v, have a look here.

http://shop.huntersystems.co.uk/microviper-loco--esc---new---forward-and-reverse-speed-control-with-cruise-control-164-p.asp
 
<p>
Tony Walsham - 24/11/2009 12:17 PM I have found the Planet to be very workable. I tested the TX and RX combination for about 5 months. You can download the manual from here. <a href="http://attachments.modelengines.com.au/products/files/7710202[460].pdf?r=1256277491[/QUOTE">http://attachments.modelengines.com.au/products/files/7710202[460].pdf?r=1256277491[/QUOTE</a>]</p><p>Thanks very much for the link to the manual Tony. I've just ordered a Tx Rx set for &pound;40 including shipping.</p>
Click to expand...
 
Tony, Many Thanks for the link to the Planet manual. Very reassuring to see that it exists!

Well now here's an interesting puzzle on the Viper ESC:

Mtroniks claim to be manufacturer and their spec saysMicroViper Loco 4.8V - 12.0V input voltage.

Huntersystems appears to be a distributor/dealer and they say MicroViper Loco Voltage Output: 6 - 14.4 volts.

No model/part numbers but both advertised at same price.

Are these one and the same ESC? Are the two voltage specs consistent?


Mike
 
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