DT (Deltang) Radio control

[chris m01]

Received a DT "selecta" tx and a couple of Rx65 receivers this week. Dropped one receiver into my Davenport and I have to say I am extremely impressed - I think it is brilliant. Reasons for me being impressed:-
1. The receiver is quite small compared to some others and small aerial wire.
2. Being 2.4Ghz it receives instructions immediately all across the garden even when I am indoors.
3. The transmitter is designed to be able to control 12 locos just by a selection on the transmitter. Only one is controlled at a time but the others will continue running until you select to control them again.
4. No aerial sticking out of the transmitter.
5. Transmitter is a nice size to hold
6. The speed and direction knob is very smooth in operation and feels nice to use.
7. Inertia control works well.
8. It worked well straight out of the box with no additional set up other than initial binding.

The receiver can be programmed to do things differently to set up but this looks complex - I will have to quietly read the instructions in January.
Anyway - so far as I am concerned - an absolutely brilliant product. I am saying this after no more than a couple of hours use. I have no connection at all with DT but thought it would be useful to share a good experience. Their web site is http://www.deltang.co.uk/index.htm

 

[ge_rik]

Hi Chris
I've been using Deltang stuff for a couple of years now and am full of praise for it. The combined rx/ESC boards have always been good but since the introduction of the Rx65, they have improved even more. I'm now in the process of replacing some of my earlier Rxs with Rx65s.

Like you, I have no connection with Deltang other than as a very satisfied customer.

Rik

 

[gregh]

While I'm unlikely to ever buy a Deltang (too expensive in Oz), I used them at Rik's and did enjoy using them. Enjoy might seem an unusual term, but they did seem to make running a train more enjoyable (than my big aero type transmitters)

 

[Tony Walsham]

For those that believe the price structure of Deltang R/C is a bit high, you could always consider the kits David T puts out.

 

[ge_rik]

Part of the saving comes from having a combined rx/ESC - which cost around £30. Whilst you can buy an ESC for around £10 and a rx for around £5 to have the extra functions which are included on the Deltang unit (eg reverse, cruise control, several outputs - ie 12 on the rx65 - see http://deltang.co.uk/rx65b-22-v611.htm ) you'd have to pay considerably more elsewhere I believe.


Rik

 

[fridge]

I've been thinking about buying some Deltang equipment for a little while now. Has anybody else got anything to say about it? I'm quite happy with my old aero Tx but the extra functions offered by Deltang seem quite tempting.

 

[ge_rik]

I've been thinking about buying some Deltang equipment for a little while now. Has anybody else got anything to say about it? I'm quite happy with my old aero Tx but the extra functions offered by Deltang seem quite tempting.

I did a review of it on my blog about 18 months ago - http://riksrailway.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/evaluation-of-deltang-radio-control.html

Since then, the transmitters have remained much the same but the receiver/controllers have come along quite a bit. The newer Rx65, for example, now handles 3 amps, has a lot more outputs (eg front/rear lighting, aux lighting, servos etc) and has the option to include a daughter board for controlling a second motor - and all for only a marginal extra cost (a couple of quid).

Tony Walsham (on here) does other versions of transmitters on his RCS website - http://www.rcs-rc.com/ - if you fancy something a bit different.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

I've been thinking about buying some Deltang equipment for a little while now. Has anybody else got anything to say about it? I'm quite happy with my old aero Tx but the extra functions offered by Deltang seem quite tempting.

BTW - have you seen this video - http://youtu.be/6WdpCiD5fiY
Admittedly 0n30, but does give a feel for what can be achieved with Deltang kit

Rik

 

[Mossala Hill]

Regarding "Smart" chargers, sometimes they can be too smart for their own good. I've often found that standard, ( not low self-discharge) NiMH cells that have been out of use for some time and have lost almost all their charge can be rejected by my smart charger as faulty or unsuitable for recharging, (flashing red light). If this happens I just give them half an hour in an old simple trickle charger that takes four cells at a time. When I then put them in the smart charger it recognises them as suitable and runs them through its refresh/cycle/charge routine.

So, don't throw away a cell just because your smart charger rejects it, try giving it a "jump start" first!

Rob

 

[ge_rik]

There's a lot of info about Deltang equipment for model trains on this US forum - http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=4451&forum_id=45 - mind you there are 75 pages with 750 posts.....

Rik

 

[Tony Walsham]

Hi Rik.
As well as using the regular Deltang TX2 modules in my range of TX's, I have also been using the earlier version RX65a with a lot of success. They have been reliable but limited to 18 volts max. That is fine for the 14.4 volt battery packs I commonly use. I reprogram them to suit what I need them for. I also make a plug in four transistor pcb for lighting and sound triggers.
The new RX65b will be here soon. It has three open collector terminals built in. Two for the lights and one sound trigger. The same 4 x transistor pcb will also plug in for four extra open collector sound triggers.

 

[ge_rik]

Hi Rik.
As well as using the regular Deltang TX2 modules in my range of TX's, I have also been using the earlier version RX65a with a lot of success. They have been reliable but limited to 18 volts max. That is fine for the 14.4 volt battery packs I commonly use. I reprogram them to suit what I need them for. I also make a plug in four transistor pcb for lighting and sound triggers.
The new RX65b will be here soon. It has three open collector terminals built in. Two for the lights and one sound trigger. The same 4 x transistor pcb will also plug in for four extra open collector sound triggers.

Hi Tony
I've just been reading through the discussions on the Freerails forum which I linked above and to which I see you've contributed. It's packed with really interesting stuff - just shows how much background research you and David T have engaged in in the development of your products! Well done to you both!

Can you just help me - I think I understand what's meant by 'open collector' but can you just clarify for me (in words of one syllable)?

I'm interested to see that some modellers are exploring the possibilities of interfacing Deltang with DCC.

Rik

 

[Tony Walsham]

Hi Rik.
David T has been very helpful all along. Especially with the development of the TX's for Live Steam control.
Instead of having the Selecta feature I have used Ch # 2 for two sound trigger functions with two more on Ch # 4. Hence the four push-buttons on the TX case.
The new RX65b will now have the ability for five triggers.

Most sound systems such as MyLocosound require the trigger taken to ground to activate. Phoenix for example can do it both ways.
In layman terms the open collector means that the ESC sound trigger functions switch the voltage return to ground instead of actually supplying a voltage to the function.
The P functions on the old version RX65a and also on the new RX65b give off a voltage when selected. The signal has to be inverted to be useful to me. Hence my plug in transistor module.
The three F functions take the trigger signals to ground. So the lighting outputs can now handle incandescent bulbs.

I too noticed the oblique reference to a DCC interface in the thread you mention. Unfortunately I could not find out any further information.
Having a Digital Proportional R/C - to - DCC interface would be fantastic if the R/C part was generating DCC coding to actually control the DCC decoder. That would be sort of like the Massoth device that all the DCC guys seem to desire.

 

[ge_rik]

Thanks Tony
That makes perfect sense. Yes, I've had to make my own transistor switches to ground the outputs (with David's help).

Something which has really impressed me BTW is the quality of the discussion on that forum. I've not looked at every one of the 750+ posts in that thread but I found the couple of hundred I have read to be really well considered and pertinent to the topic which spans over two years and actually traces the development of the Deltang products quite closely.

Rik

 

[Tony Walsham]

Agreed about Free Rails. They do of course cover all the scales but the emphasis is on the smaller scales. The small scalers are just discovering the joys of "Dead Rail" whereas it has been common in Larger Scales for many years. Even before I got started in Garden RR'ing in the middle 1980's. The Large Scale application was of course more to solve the vagaries of Mother Nature and what she could do to electrical conductivity outdoors after even a short period of time.
The coming of Deltang upon the scene has given a big impetus to those of us who have been doing battery R/C for a long time.

 

[Llongfordrailway]

I think deltang products are brilliant! I must admit, the website took me a whilst to get used to when considering what rx I wanted to order but once your familiar with it, your away. I think it's a shame David doesn't advertise more as the products are very good value, reliable and very accessible. I strongly suspect it's an untapped market which could be expanded further. I stumbled across the product through your YouTube videos Rik then later saw it on your website (excellent website by the way!)

With the simplicity of Deltang, I think David could even take it one step further for beginners by making his website more accessible and beginner friendly and supply the rx's with electric terminal/connector boxes ready attached and a battery clip ready fitted with the suitable battery box reac attached for the maximum voltage of the rx. Then the beginner could simply screw the motor into the terminal box, connect a battery and away they go! Full of ideas me

Regards

Daniel

 

[ge_rik]

Hi Daniel
One of the options for the rx65 is for screw terminals for an extra £3

Thanks for the feedback on the blog btw. Nice to know someone finds it useful.

Rik

 

[Tony Walsham]

I have just finished the RCS version which is the same but with the necessary screw terminals with labels and JST sockets.
Pics will be up shortly. A total of 5 x sound triggers are available. 1 x on the RX65b and four more plug in via an interface pcb.