Converting LGB to R/C

[matthew]

There seems to be a lot of people converting to battery power just lately, so any advice would be great..

Looking to convert a few LGB locos from track power to Remote Control, but i cant seem to find much information, or any decent systems to look at. I've seen the Cliff Barker system that i know a few people have converted too, but the cost seems relatively high and the key fob kind of control isnt as preferable compared to the stick(aircraft type) controllers.

Also, we've just visited a local shop that specialise in RC, but the owner seemed almost clueless as to how he would go about it, so any help from you guys would be great on how to get started

 

[Rhinochugger]

Another alternative manufacturer, used by a few on here is Brian Jones. His controllers are top notch, and can thus be used with the cheapest R/C set available, the Saturn 4 channel.

The R/C comes with its own receiver, and then all you need is the battery pack and bits from Brian.

Overall cost is slightly less than Cliff Barker, because the outlay of the R/C is lower, but the next loco will be dearer becaue Brian's controllers are dearer - if you get my drift.

Circuitry and wiring is pretty seemples, and Brian gives you all the info you need

He'll also give some advice about which battery and charger nphone:

 

[Del Tapparo]

You might try Mike Cullen of T&M Models. He is now my exclusive dealer for G-Scale Graphics RailBoss R/C controls in the UK.
http://www.tmmodels.net/

You can also check my website for basic information on conversion. http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/

 

[yb281]

Matthew, yes the Cliff Barker stuff does come at a price, but you get what you pay for. You don't have to use the key fob type handsets, the TX handset is much better and (personal view) I've never seen a better battery RC control system.

http://www.cliffbarker.talktalk.net/

Again personally, I can't stand the aircraft / car type controllers. At last year's Llanfair show there was a fantastic gauge 3 layout where all the stock seemed to be battery RC with the aircraft type controllers and the running standards were appalling IMO, especially when compared to the purpose built systems from Barker and Timpdon Electrics etc.

One other thing I would recommend is to investigate the Li po batteries as tested by Peter (whatlep) and available from ebay. I've just bought another 2. I put one in my LGB Corpet about 4 months ago (together with Barker RC) and it has run for many hours, but still doesn't need charging.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290656714...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_3325wt_952

 

[matthew]

Thanks for the replies, just having a good look at everything mentioned at the moment.

Rhino mentioned this Saturn 4 channel controller/receiver, which is basically the same as what we got shown today, which at £40 seems a good starting point, but what else exactly is needed, as he also mentioned needing brian jones equipment...It's all rather confusing at the moment

 

[matthew]

Hang on, think i may have had a breakthrough

Going from this diagram i found on Brian Jones website:

The transmitter and receiver would be what i mentioned, E.G. The saturn 4 channel one (£40) This would be a one of purchase from anywhere.

Then i would have to order the Mac-Five controller, and the few other components from the diagram from Brian jones?

 

[Tony]

If you really want cheap you can buy a speed controler from ebay from £7 -£15 and something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Remote-Co...sGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item3cc20fadb5
Ive been buying anything RC and cheap at our local carboots over the past few weeks and ive got some real bargins and a load of parts ive yet to build something but when i do il let you know in the mean time this is a speed controler i got from a RC buggy i paid £5 for with a handset
You can see it has a standard Battery plug , the other two large wires go to the motor, The red white and black go to a reciver and the other is an on off switch .... it may seem like a bit of mucking about but they are quite simple really

 

[Tony]

your Mac five does the same job as the speed controler ive just posted a picture of
Tony

 

[Rhinochugger]

Hang on, think i may have had a breakthrough

Going from this diagram i found on Brian Jones website:


The transmitter and receiver would be what i mentioned, E.G. The saturn 4 channel one (£40) This would be a one of purchase from anywhere.

Then i would have to order the Mac-Five controller, and the few other components from the diagram from Brian jones?

Yep Brian will supply the Mac5 and then as many of the other bits as you want. The important thins is to buy the charger and the battery pack together. Doesn't matter where you buy, but different types of batteries need different types of charger.

Battery technology has gone berserk with Li-po, LSD (low self discharge - not flowers in the rain) and all sorts, so you must get both from the same place.

Most speed controllers also allow you to switch the R/C off once you've got up to cruising speed (this saves the batteries in the R/C).

However, if you have a flat layout and want to watch yoru trains run and run, there's always a manual speed controller which you can disguise as an exhaust pipe or some such detail.

I have one manual and one R/C loco. Mel has some power packs in trailing wagons.

Horses for courses

I don't think I took a picture after I got all the controls in place :thumbdown:

 

[yb281]

Another possibility if the budget is limited is Gareth's idea of using a basic Train Engineer.

http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=191766

 

[matthew]

Just seen this recomended in another RC thread...Would this be everything needed, apart from actual batteries?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220785038457?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 < Link To http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm...ksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[MRail]

You'd still need the speed controller, such as the Mac 5.

 

[matthew]

You'd still need the speed controller, such as the Mac 5.

Yes i thought that would be the case. I think i've started to get the idea now. The transmitter/receiver is like a wireless handset, and the speed controller is like each loco's chip.

So now its just a case of finding the best speed regulator to use. The brian jones ones are £60 each, just a case of looking out for a potentially cheaper solution to this now

 

[Midwalesstokie]

I use Electronize speed controllers, specifically the FR8T-AM which has an acceleration and deceleration delay built in. http://www.electronize.co.uk/model_electronics_frames.htm

I couple this to a Planet T5 transmitter and receiver. I use the same transmitter and just buy an extra receiver for each loco so I can use them all on the same transmitter which saves a considerable amount of money. I can actually drive 4 independently of each other at the same time although it can get a bit confusing. I've recently started making my own battery packs from rechargeable AA's from ebay too which also helps reduce the costs.

 

[matthew]

Thanks for that James i see te FR8t-Am one priced at £36.60 which is much better than the £60 of the other one. Do they both do the same job?

 

[CoggesRailway]

Just to throw my penny's worth in, do get something designed for a train from a speed control perspective. I have a loco with effectively rc car kit in and a cliff barker there is no contest. I suspect it is not the CB system oer se but that it is meant for a train.

 

[MRail]

Beware, some non-railway speed controllers for boats or cars do not have reverse.
Some have reverse, but at lower power than forward.

 

[steven large]

Beware, some non-railway speed controllers for boats or cars do not have reverse.
Some have reverse, but at lower power than forward.

HI SO i wud be happy if u can help me where i can get 12 volts recharge batteries flat pls? thks u

 

[matthew]

Beware, some non-railway speed controllers for boats or cars do not have reverse.
Some have reverse, but at lower power than forward.

The electronize speed controllers james mentioned are specifically for railway useage so they seem to be a good bet so far. Although just having another look over the Cliff Barker System and a read throught Mels thread 8|

 

[Rhinochugger]

Beware, some non-railway speed controllers for boats or cars do not have reverse.
Some have reverse, but at lower power than forward.

HI SO i wud be happy if u can help me where i can get 12 volts recharge batteries flat pls? thks u

Stehpen

Vapextech are good for Ni-Mh or LSD cells.

You can get Li-pos on ebay, but check out the best specification from Whatlep or Mel.