Mtroniks speed controller and/or Etronix radio kit

[Dieseldonkey]

http://www.mtroniks.net/details1.asp/ProductID/193/sid/10/MicroViper-loco.htm < Link To http://www.mtroniks.net/d...10/MicroViper-loco.htm

Hi,

Has anyone any first hand experience using one of these speed controllers in a anything large scale. They seem very well priced but was wondering if they are any good for slow speed operation or leaving at fixed speed.

Also how about these

http://www.etronix-rc.com/etronix-pulse-ex2g-radio-system.php. < Link To http://www.etronix-rc.com...ex2g-radio-system.php.

I've never heard of this make but again seem well priced introduction to 2.4Ghz transmitter / receiver kit

Are they false economy? Any constructive comments welcome.

 

[Westcott]

The ESC looks good for small locos, the max voltage is 12.

You might want to remove the trailing full stop from your second link...

 

[nicebutdim]

I use viper speed controllers in my rc cars, they are very good and very reliable. BUT, don't forget they have a max of 12v input, which will limit your speed on anything with a 24v motor. For 2.4ghz radio systems I use Ansmann on my rc cars, which is the w3 model, but it is a pistol grip radio which I don't think is suitable for model railways. What is best is a stick radio, and for my railway I use the core radio system. They are cheap and I really haven't had any issues with mine at all. I removed the spring on the throttle stick and used a small piece of brass strip screwed across the stick ratchet inside so that the speed can be set then the controller placed on the table, leaving the train to run. I don't use battery power on my railway though, the receiver operates 3 servos that turn the speed control knob on an LGB speed controller.

 

[Del Tapparo]

I haven't heard of either of these products. But then I'm from the other side of the pond.

The Mtroniks speed controller has some nice features: plenty of amps in a very small package. The down side for me: all it does is control speed and they don't specify any sort of speed step resolution, so slow speed control? Maybe not. It is also limited to 12V max. OK for small locos only. And the 1KHZ frequency of the PWM motor driver will certainly be audible.

The etronix-rc 2.4GHZ radios are also new to me. Probably work just fine, but do seem a bit pricey. Lots of systems out there for less money: Hobby King, Planet Twister, E-Sky, etc.

 

[Tony Walsham]

Spend the money and get the Planet Twister.

They are about to release a 7 channel TX & RX plus a whole range of new RX's.

 

[Bram]

I have used a Viper in a loco a couple years ago now but I found it not to be glitch free and I had to buy another bit of kit to put with. In the end I stripped it out and chucked it in the bits box and used a Cliff Barker unit, no probs since

 

[Dieseldonkey]

Hi Bram,

Would you be willing to expand on the glitch issues you experienced. Would they be the sort of thing that using 2.4ghz radio equipment would solve. How was the level of speed controllability from stand still to cruise?

I'm looking to throw away the factory fitted 27Mhz system and fit cheap but reliable 2.4 Ghz R/C equipment into a Newqida 2-6-2. It uses 7.2v battery.

Thanks again

David

 

[Bram]

It's some of the 27/40Mhz kits that have the glitching problems I think you will find the 2.4ghz equipment ok

 

[nicebutdim]

2.4 ghz rarely encounters any glitching issues, and with the price of the equipment dropping all the time it really is cost effective to get it. Also the ariels are shorter on both the tx and rx, making it easier to hide the rx unit within a locomotive and much harder to break the tx ariel. As I said though, try not to go for the 'pistol' grip radio, the stick radios are much better and easier to use for operating model railways.

 

[Bram]

I agree with nicebutdim re the TX's, the stick ones are better but try to go for one the you can put a rachet on to. Saves wear on the thumbs

 

[Dieseldonkey]

Have taken the plunge and fitted the Mtronik ESC and Hobbyking Tx/Rx combination to a loco with 7.2v battery. Works really well. Yes the speed controller is a little noisy at low speeds but good low speed control and no interference. Very cost effective. Haven't found cheaper alternative with this degree of quality.

Thanks to all who gave advice.