DIY 2.4 ghz alternative to the aristocraft train engineer.

[a98087]

Hi All

After a visit to another g scale open day, and seen and used an Aristocraft train engineer in person.

As the Aristo system is starting to get a bit old obsolete, was wondering if it it was possible to make an alternative using off the shelf components using the current 2.4 ghz RC equipment.


From my initial research I was thinking of using the following items:
Transmitter/ receiver from here http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__44693__Quanum_2_4Ghz_3ch_Pistol_Grip_Tx_Rx_System.html

24v 7. 5amp power supply

Electron 12 speed controller from Peter Spoerer

I would then mount the power supply, receiver and esc in a suitable box ready for bringing out when operating.

Would my idea and set up work? Or have I missed out a few essential components.

Any comments/ feedback would be greatly appreciated

Dan

 

[nicebutdim]

Yes, it will work like that. Don't forget nearly all ESCs operate on PWM, which the electronics in lots (especially LGB) of locomotives do not like at all. The Aristocraft Train Engineer can output a smooth variable voltage output which makes it so good for our railways. The best method I've previously made is a 2.4ghz system operating a servo that actually turns the knob on a Helmsman controller.

 

[beavercreek]

The new-ish Aristocraft (Crest) Revolution system is a 2.4ghz system that can either work like the old TE with a track-side base station (like the old RX) controlled by the hand set or by having decoders in the individual locos that can utilise battery or trackpower (fed from transformer).
This is then a system that works a bit like DCC as each loco can be individually controlled (up to 99 locos can be set up)
The Revolution decoders cost about £75 and come with sound onboard.
The base station is a bit more expensive than the old TE RX but has a few more features.

 

[Deleted member 1986]

From my initial research I was thinking of using the following items:
Transmitter/ receiver from here http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__44693__Quanum_2_4Ghz_3ch_Pistol_Grip_Tx_Rx_System.html

Other than this observation, you may wish to change the RC Transmitter to a type more suitable for aircraft flying, so that you have the ability to use the trim control for continous operation, may get tiresome on the hand having to hold the "pistol grip" for extended priods of time for momentum!

Or if your of the adventurous type, replace the wheel with a potentionometer, see article by Tramcar Trev of this Parish.

 

[gregh]

I'm not sure what a 'train engineer' does, but I hope I'm correct in assuming you want to use radio control to control the voltage delivered to the rails. If you read the following link, you'll see how I made such a beast when I still had track power. I can provide more circuit details if you want to PM me.

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/2point4GHz.htm
go down the page to the heading "Replacing the ESC with a Picaxe interface to Receiver" to see the circuit block diagram.

 

[Madman]

I presume you want to power the rails as Gregh mentioned. I cannot imagine why a G Scale Graphics "Railboss" would not work.

http://www.gscalegraphics.net

 

[a98087]

As mentioned by one of the posters what I was thinking off, was a hand held controller, wirelessly connected to a base station that put the voltage into the track.


The rail boss seem to be a good idea, but possible a little pricey, also as I'm in the uk I'm not too sure about the frequencies.

And going on the advice given, I will over the winter order the parts mad make something, As I think there is lots of potential but I just have to be wary of the PWM output from the esc

Dan

 

[fridge]

I was just about to try using battery power on an LGB loco with a 5v board. I'm glad I read these posts. Does anyone know an easy way to convert the output from the ESC to something suitable for the LGB locos, please? I already have ancient LGB locos (pre-electronic gubbins) running on battery R/C without any problem.

 

[Tony Walsham]

The motors in LGB locos are just fine with PWM. After all, that is what DCC decoders output to them.
The problems occur with some LGB sound systems and especially LGB locos equipped with DCC decoders.

 

[fridge]

Thanks, Tony. I was a bit worried there, for a moment.

 

[tramcar trev]

Other than this observation, you may wish to change the RC Transmitter to a type more suitable for aircraft flying, so that you have the ability to use the trim control for continous operation, may get tiresome on the hand having to hold the "pistol grip" for extended priods of time for momentum!

Or if your of the adventurous type, replace the wheel with a potentionometer, see article by Tramcar Trev of this Parish.

Adventurous Moi??? Necessity is the mother of invention....
Here is how I did it, it was very cost effective, I came out way ahead financially compared with the commercial systems available; https://www.gscalecentral.net/controls-signals-and-electronics/repackaging-a-commercial-radio-control-transmitter/msg296475/#msg296475

 

[Tim Brien]

A downfall with the Aristo system was its possible multiple channels (100). When I used the system I always thought that the possibilities were overkill. A simpler setup with fewer variations would have been better. Ten channels would have been more than enough. Anyone who has singlehandedly tried to run more than a couple of locomotives under DCC control would realise that more possibilities are superfluous. Calling up another loco when under the Train Engineer control was more complex than under DCC operation, with the operator relying on the master reset button when an emergency arose.

Of cause, like a DCC system the Aristo setup allowed for switch/point operation. I liked the 'basic' operation of the Train Engineer, thus a system that mimicked 'simplified' TE operation would be welcome.

 

[TheMartin]

We're running a very similar system. A Peter Sporer 2.4ghz controller (deltang technology) with the Electron speed controller. We keep it in in an IP65 box that may be easily opened. We've fitted isolating switches to all locos that don't have one and operate by simply turning on or off locos that we want to use

 

[ge_rik]

We're running a very similar system. A Peter Sporer 2.4ghz controller (deltang technology) with the Electron speed controller. We keep it in in an IP65 box that may be easily opened. We've fitted isolating switches to all locos that don't have one and operate by simply turning on or off locos that we want to use

I was about to mention Deltang. Just been exercising my brain cells - not bad for a Sunday afternoon.

If you wanted a bit more flexibility, you could get a Tx23 - the kit is only £31 (http://deltang.co.uk/tx23-kit.htm), and then get three receiver/controllers (eg Rx65b). Each receiver could then be linked to a different section of track so you'd be able to have up to three trains running independently from the same controller. You could theoretically have up to twelve sections using a Tx22, but it would become a bit mind-boggling switching from one to the other. The only limitation is that the Rx65b can only handle up to 18v but all my locos run off 12v and I find that's more than adequate for controllable slow running.

Rik

 

[TheMartin]

I was about to mention Deltang. Just been exercising my brain cells - not bad for a Sunday afternoon.

If you wanted a bit more flexibility, you could get a Tx23 - the kit is only £31 (http://deltang.co.uk/tx23-kit.htm), and then get three receiver/controllers (eg Rx65b). Each receiver could then be linked to a different section of track so you'd be able to have up to three trains running independently from the same controller. You could theoretically have up to twelve sections using a Tx22, but it would become a bit mind-boggling switching from one to the other. The only limitation is that the Rx65b can only handle up to 18v but all my locos run off 12v and I find that's more than adequate for controllable slow running.

Rik

Now that is a fairly spectacular idea that I'd completely missed! We've had to go track power RC because the garden railway is at our shop and trains are left running all day!

 

[ge_rik]

Now that is a fairly spectacular idea that I'd completely missed! We've had to go track power RC because the garden railway is at our shop and trains are left running all day!

That's interesting - which shop is that?

Rik

 

[chris m01]

A lot depends upon the locos you are running. The Deltang RC is excellent in smaller locos but the most it can handle is 18volts and 3 amps stall current. Fine for Bachmann locos but not really enough for locos designed to pull large loads and use 24 volts.

I would love to see a replacement for the train engineer. I feel it wouldn't be hard for an electronics person to design transmitter and receiver units that could control tracl power and points in a similar way to what the train engineer does. In the meantime I have picked up a spare tx and rx from Ebay so I should be ok if the current one breaks down.

DCC is fine for those who want it but I really don't feel the need and certainly don't want the expense. Maybe just as important - the only time there has ever been a head on crash on my railway was when we tried a DCC control set up rather than analogue.

 

[TheMartin]

A lot depends upon the locos you are running. The Deltang RC is excellent in smaller locos but the most it can handle is 18volts and 3 amps stall current. Fine for Bachmann locos but not really enough for locos designed to pull large loads and use 24 volts.

Peter Spoerer supplied us with an electron 12 capable of 6-24v 12amp http://www.peterspoerermodelengineers.com/90275/info.php?p=3

 

[TheMartin]

That's interesting - which shop is that?

Rik

It's small arts & crafts gallery on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border http://suttonboningtongallery.com/

The railway is undergoing quite a few changes at the moment as we replace old timber with filcris, build a new station and get ready to extend next year!