Remote control for battery powered loco?

[trammayo]

I just wondered if someone could provide a link to, or recommend, someone who sells R/C for battery powered locos.

The loco in question that I would like to be remotely controlled (stop & start - and forward or reverse) is pictured below. It is a Scientific Toys model and I am hoping someone I know would be able to use it on a simple garden layout I will be helping to design and construct with him....







As can be seen, in the last picture, their is a plug from the tender. I just thought I could simply insert the receiver into the plug wires for the output to the loco - the interupted plug wires would feed the receiver.

Oh, and another pic -


I just spray painted the cab roof before I came into to download the pics from my camera!

Thanks in anticipation! The work on the new garden line will be posted in my Ox Mountain thread when it commences!

 

[JimmyB]

Lots out there, Deltang (Via RC trains or Micron) Fosworks, Loco Remote, Crest Train Engineer (Revolution) Brian Jones, and I am sure I may have missed a few.

 

[trammayo]

Lots out there, Deltang (Via RC trains or Micron) Fosworks, Loco Remote, Crest Train Engineer (Revolution) Brian Jones, and I am sure I may have missed a few.

Thanks Jimmy - I'll trawl through those names! It might not be an economical proposition - I just bought the loco for use in the trailer if ever I got a power failure in the track!

 

[Rhinochugger]

I just wondered if someone could provide a link to, or recommend, someone who sells R/C for battery powered locos.

The loco in question that I would like to be remotely controlled (stop & start - and forward or reverse) is pictured below. It is a Scientific Toys model and I am hoping someone I know would be able to use it on a simple garden layout I will be helping to design and construct with him....

View attachment 306444

View attachment 306445

View attachment 306446

As can be seen, in the last picture, their is a plug from the tender. I just thought I could simply insert the receiver into the plug wires for the output to the loco - the interupted plug wires would feed the receiver.

Oh, and another pic -

View attachment 306447
I just spray painted the cab roof before I came into to download the pics from my camera!

Thanks in anticipation! The work on the new garden line will be posted in my Ox Mountain thread when it commences!

Philp of this parish - aka RC trains RC Trains Radio Controlled Trains - Home Page

 

[maxi-model]

I think I understand what you mean by economically viable. Already mentioned Loco Remote Wifi control for Garden Railways would seem to offer the most cost effective, assuming you own a smart phone or tablet. Otherwise how about a manual speed controller, like the Fosworks ESC-180 ? Fosworks Max

 

[trammayo]

I think I understand what you mean by economically viable. Already mentioned Loco Remote Wifi control for Garden Railways would seem to offer the most cost effective, assuming you own a smart phone or tablet. Otherwise how about a manual speed controller, like the Fosworks ESC-180 ? Fosworks Max

Thanks Max. Trouble is the loco itself is really only worth a fraction of the cost of RC equipment. Looking at the links, most of the stuff is beyond my comprehension!

 

[JimmyB]

Thanks Max. Trouble is the loco itself is really only worth a fraction of the cost of RC equipment.

I have found this is often the case, especially when buying second hand, I think maxi-model suggestion if you are only having a single loco on R/C, is the most cost effective.

 

[trammayo]

I have found this is often the case, especially when buying second hand, I think maxi-model suggestion if you are only having a single loco on R/C, is the most cost effective.

Wifi wouldn't work for me. Although I'm using my late son's smart phone now, I'm not fond of it. The Doro was a telephone and a piece of cake to use. However, Tom - who will get the loco - hardly uses his phone (he cannot even remember his number!) - and I'm not sure what type he has!

For me, the loco pictured below is my back-up in case I lose track power and it came with a remote. My two Bachmann battery locos are not working for some reason

 

[maxi-model]

Wifi wouldn't work for me. Although I'm using my late son's smart phone now, I'm not fond of it. The Doro was a telephone and a piece of cake to use. However, Tom - who will get the loco - hardly uses his phone (he cannot even remember his number!) - and I'm not sure what type he has!

For me, the loco pictured below is my back-up in case I lose track power and it came with a remote. My two Bachmann battery locos are not working for some reason

View attachment 306481

View attachment 306482

Come to think of it, as I understand it, your mobile layout is used for outdoor shows. This would create issues around provision of a suitable wi-fi network, from a venue operator, if I have read and understood correctly the Loco Remote's operating requirements. Anything suitable with a Bluetooth connection that could be operated directly from a smartphone ? Max

 

[DafyddElvy]

Wifi wouldn't work for me. Although I'm using my late son's smart phone now, I'm not fond of it. The Doro was a telephone and a piece of cake to use. However, Tom - who will get the loco - hardly uses his phone (he cannot even remember his number!) - and I'm not sure what type he has!

For me, the loco pictured below is my back-up in case I lose track power and it came with a remote. My two Bachmann battery locos are not working for some reason

View attachment 306481

View attachment 306482

I use Locoremote for my trams, I'm not sure if you've read up on the system. I don't have any experience of R/C, this information is just how I have found the locoremote system.

The maxi which I use creates it's own stand alone wifi signal, it doesn't need to connect to any other wifi system.
All you need is a phone or tablet to connect with the locoremote, the phone or tablet doesn't need to be working as a phone, I have two old phones that aren't used as phones anymore they are just used for the trams.
I use 8 rechargeable AA batteries, a days running uses about 50% of the batteries power, a loco hauling a train would use more power.

Connecting a phone or tablet to the locoremote really couldn't be easier, simply type www.locoremote.co.uk/v1 in the web browser and your connected, you can also have 2 or 3 phones or tablets connected to the same locoremote unit at the same time.

What I would say is read through some of the threads here and see what others do and what functions peoples models have, then think about what you would like from the model you are fitting out, I think quite a bit depends on what functions you may want the model to have.

 

[Degauss]

Come to think of it, as I understand it, your mobile layout is used for outdoor shows. This would create issues around provision of a suitable wi-fi network, from a venue operator, if I have read and understood correctly the Loco Remote's operating requirements. Anything suitable with a Bluetooth connection that could be operated directly from a smartphone ? Max

Not quite right. From their website :-
"The Loco Remote module creates its own unique, password protected, long range Wi-Fi access point.
This is completely independent of other Wi-Fi networks such as your home Wi-Fi network and so can be used anywhere."
The unit generates its own web page so only a web browser is required to control the loco. Has a much longer range than Bluetooth.

What voltage power is required? I have used the remote from a rc car as a cheap controller, got from school fete with broken car, rc still worked.

Edit: crossed post

 

[DafyddElvy]

Come to think of it, as I understand it, your mobile layout is used for outdoor shows. This would create issues around provision of a suitable wi-fi network, from a venue operator, if I have read and understood correctly the Loco Remote's operating requirements. Anything suitable with a Bluetooth connection that could be operated directly from a smartphone ? Max

The locoremote creates its own wifi signal, a locoremote would work in the middle of an open field.
My garden is 20m long, I have found the locoremote wifi signal is fine over 15m, I've not yet tried it over the full 20m.

 

[trammayo]

Not quite right. From their website :-
"The Loco Remote module creates its own unique, password protected, long range Wi-Fi access point.
This is completely independent of other Wi-Fi networks such as your home Wi-Fi network and so can be used anywhere."
The unit generates its own web page so only a web browser is required to control the loco. Has a much longer range than Bluetooth.

What voltage power is required? I have used the remote from a rc car as a cheap controller, got from school fete with broken car, rc still worked.

Edit: crossed post

Now that might be an idea - just don't remember where I put the car and its' bits!

 

[PhilP]

The Piko keyfob system, might be cost effective for you?
The receiver board is a little bit bigger. Depends on the space in the tender.

PhilP

 

[maxi-model]

Not quite right. From their website :-
"The Loco Remote module creates its own unique, password protected, long range Wi-Fi access point.
This is completely independent of other Wi-Fi networks such as your home Wi-Fi network and so can be used anywhere."
The unit generates its own web page so only a web browser is required to control the loco. Has a much longer range than Bluetooth.

What voltage power is required? I have used the remote from a rc car as a cheap controller, got from school fete with broken car, rc still worked.

Edit: crossed post

Thanks for the clarification. I misunderstood Loco Remote site's analogy, "think connecting to wi-fi in a coffee shop". It's only when I looked at one of their You Tube videos, after your comment, that the penny finally dropped - the Loco Remote appears as a separate device on ones wi-fi enabled device listings. Perhaps they need to make that clearer on the website, i.e. You do not need to connect to any other independent wi-service provider, Loco Remote creates its own network to communicate with your phone/tablet directly. Might save old fuddy duddies like me dismissing the product. I think I have a couple of locos that could use this. Max

 

[ntpntpntp]

I had something similar back in the 90s for my litle'un, I think the whole set with coaches and plastic track cost £25 from Lidl. In the end I disabled the drive mechanism as he was much more interested in just pushing the thing along The tender with the batteries and sound unit lasted longer as we hooked it up to other locos.

 

[trammayo]

The Piko keyfob system, might be cost effective for you?
The receiver board is a little bit bigger. Depends on the space in the tender.

PhilP

Have you a link for that Phil?

 

[DafyddElvy]

If you just need some think basic and not too expensive, take a look at lococontrol.co.uk
I met the guy behind this yesterday at a G Scale Scotland meet, it seems a good system.

 

[dunnyrail]

Have you a link for that Phil?

I have a train with one of these in and just converted a 16mm loco for a friend. Odd posts about the Forum on the system, I think I did a review a while back and will try to link it. Meanwhile here is a link to Topslots site that have them.

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www.topslotsntrains.com

EDIT

Piko 35040 R/C Loco Receiver with Pocket Remote

Gentlemen; My wife Denice bought me 35040 for Christmas. I installed it in a CVP 44 ton GE diesel this afternoon. Is a very simple install and works very slick. I have installed CVP units in several steam locomotives but have been wanting something simpler. I'm using two lithium ion on batteries...

www.gscalecentral.net

If you need any other help just ask, I mounted the RX board (you only need the larger one) in the cab roof. However you may need the size so that could be added and a battery pack may need the tender to be rebuilt to take mor AAA. I fitted 9 in the IP diesel.

 

[trammayo]

I have a train with one of these in and just converted a 16mm loco for a friend. Odd posts about the Forum on the system, I think I did a review a while back and will try to link it. Meanwhile here is a link to Topslots site that have them.

TopSlots n Trains Slot Cars Fly Slot.It Scalextric NSR Ninco SCX Cars

Slot-Cars by Scalextric Slot.it NSR Fly-Slot SCX Ninco Cartrix Racer Revell MRRC Avant Slot Sloter slot cars Carrera Spirit slot cars, Scalextric spare parts. We also stock a huge range of Slot-Car spare parts specializing in Slot.It NSR Ninco Scalectrix & SCX spares for 1/32 scale model Slot...

www.topslotsntrains.com

EDIT

Piko 35040 R/C Loco Receiver with Pocket Remote

Gentlemen; My wife Denice bought me 35040 for Christmas. I installed it in a CVP 44 ton GE diesel this afternoon. Is a very simple install and works very slick. I have installed CVP units in several steam locomotives but have been wanting something simpler. I'm using two lithium ion on batteries...

www.gscalecentral.net

If you need any other help just ask, I mounted the RX board (you only need the larger one) in the cab roof. However you may need the size so that could be added and a battery pack may need the tender to be rebuilt to take mor AAA. I fitted 9 in the IP diesel.

Thanks Jon - I'll be taking the track and loco up my friends in 45 minutes - I'll mention it. Looking at Moonraker's diagram, I will need help/advice if we go down that road.