Hi Michael,
im using a spectrum RC, so if there are any further questions, u can PM me everytime.
The basics:
first:
with RC there is one mainthing to know:
the current state of technics is 2,4 GHz twinchannel.
The "normal" RCs (27, 35, 40 MHz singlechannel) are in need of some free space arround the model, and there are many bugs with modelrailroading due to the landscape or nearby housewalls, fences and things.
second:
with conventional track power, your control unit is fixed and gives the power to the tracks. The drive-control is in your hands so to speak.
For RC u need to have the controler onboard. Normal car-or truck controlers work fine, special products for RR offer special features. But they are too expensive in my eyes.
DONT use cheap 1-3 Ampere controlers, they wont last...
third:
the RC receiver needs a voltage with about 4,8 till 6 V. simply use a BEC-controler, that gives out the needed voltage to the receiver and so no separate supply for the receiver is needed...its taken out of the big drive supply.
fourth:
ME, i use 12V lead-accus by now, but they seem to be overcome by LiPo-accus.
LiPo´s are told to be a bit dangerous with charging and under heavy power, but they are extremely powerful regarding the weight.
DONT use cheap NiMH Accus! They dont last and cant stand the current needed for locos!
Thats the advantage of lead-accus: they dont have the big capacity, but are good to handle, stable and not dangerous in any way: i use panasonic-fleece-ventile--blablabla--the hell accus that can be used in every position.
fifth:
there is a better way to controll with standard RC than the sticks. I use a jamara-RC that provides 3 turning-knobs and are furthermore programmable.
That makes it possible to controll 3 locos from one RC station at the same time.
Jamara has receivers that allow tho bend on the station EACH seperatly. U just have to put the "drive" channel in each loco to another RC channel and u can controll 3 locos like on digital: completely independent.
Only thing a bit difficult is that the timewindow to switch them on is only 3 seconds. there u have to switch on the station and the locos. after that, no new receiver is allowed.
The jamara has an inbuilt failsave that stops the loco. If there is any rubbish in the air, the locos dont dance arround silly, they just stop.
Regularly, i had to take them back to control by turning the drive channel to "0". wait a second or two and the it starts over.
sixth:
with taking the drive away from the stick, u can use them for functions.
While the spectrum DID work with a Conrad-Multi-switch, the Jamara DIDNT....***grumble*** but there ARE multiswitches that allow to use 2 RC channels for 7-16 functions. So u can use one stick for the functions of loco 1 and 1 stick for the functions of loco 2. Like this, u can even whistle and bell and uncouple completely independent.
driving doubleheaded:
The jamara makes it possible to drive doubleheaded. but not by controling two locos parallel the same!
U control EACH loco seperatly..2 of the 3 turning knobs are in "fingerwide" neighbourhood.
Thats great fun!
switching and shunting with two locos, coupling and then doubleheading. U have to have a fine feeling for the control to see what loco needs more or less power. But no problem to push a train with a fast 4-4-0 up an incline with a slow shay!!!
I added a supply-wire to each loco, just leave me a note when u are interested. Allows to take power from a accu-car, in case the accu is off on line.....
Frank