Tam Valley Discussion

Greg Elmassian

Greg Elmassian

Guest
Country flag
Tam Valley and the DRS people are here in San Diego.

Tam Valley still manufactures the product, but it is sold (I believe exclusively) by the people at http://deadrailinstalls.com/

Indeed, if you are on the Tam Valley site, and try to add any of the deadrail stuff to your cart, you get an error.

(Indeed, it may seem that replacing batteries is a reasonable cost, but much more than the zero cost of not having batteries)

Greg
 
Greg Elmassian said:
Tam Valley and the DRS people are here in San Diego.

Tam Valley still manufactures the product, but it is sold (I believe exclusively) by the people at http://deadrailinstalls.com/

Indeed, if you are on the Tam Valley site, and try to add any of the deadrail stuff to your cart, you get an error.

(Indeed, it may seem that replacing batteries is a reasonable cost, but much more than the zero cost of not having batteries)

Greg
Click to expand...

I have not replaced any of my batteries in the nearly 10 years of operating G scale I know I eventually will have to but I am comfortable with that.
I view the cost of batteries as the price I pay for the convenience of turning on my trains and running without the concern of dead track areas etc.
I do not have the luxury of spare time capacity to devote to keeping the rails clean, its just a quick with the leaf blower and my track is ready.
I made the conscious decision to go battery right at the start, after my experiences with HO and the time consumed cleaning the track etc just to run a train.
 
dunnyrail said:
Tam Valley would appear to be what you are looking for. Currently in the process of being taken over but the results as demonstrated to me last year are well worth the effort, even though the range was not fantastic. The previous owner was happy to deliver a set up legal UK. If only Massoth had persevered with the DRC200 system.

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/drs1deadrailcomponents.html
Click to expand...

Battery direct to DCC Chip with Tam Valley Battery KIT.
Tam Valley Recievers appear to have surfaced with the new lot.

http://deadrailinstalls.com/
http://deadrailinstalls.com/TamValleyOrderForm.cfm

But no other mention of Transmitters other than compatibility notes. Bearing in mind that in UK (and possibly Europe) we need
The 869MHz variety I hope they become available soon cos I am ready to go on this.
 
Interesting, the link: http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/drs1deadrailcomponents.html

Is not longer accessible from the main web site, so the standalone transmitter shown below does not "appear" on Tam valley, nor the Deadrailinstalls site...

485_DRS_Throttle_916.jpg


Which on that now "hidden page" shows the European 900 MHz frequency available, as well as the US frequency.

I'm guessing that these product is either no longer available, or was just a prototype. I am going to meet with the new distributor and will ask about these.

Greg
 
As I've mentioned in several threads on this subject over the last year or so, I am using the Tam Valley DRS receivers very successfully in conjunction with the Stanton Radio Cab (S-Cab) handset, made by Neil Stanton as a special-order 869MHz "Euro" band set to match the 869MHz DRS units; this allows full wireless function control of a standard DCC decoder, but with dead rails and the loco powered by an internal 14.8v Li-Ion battery pack. The only downside that I've so far discovered is the relatively short control range, as the S-Cab is a low power unit primarily designed for indoor layouts, but I have found that in most cases the range is adequate for the majority of garden layouts that I've taken my locos to visit; the system does have the big advantage that if you do happen to lose connection due to range issues on a very large layout, the loco simply continues trundling on at the same speed (just as it would do on DCC track power) until it gets back into radio range again.
The Tam valley DRS transmitter in the post above does seem to be rather an odd idea, particularly in its lack of a full numeric keypad; the whole idea of the system is that you have full wireless control of a DCC decoder with all its sound functions, for which you need a full set of number keys!

I don't think the DRS control handset was ever really made available before the product line changed hands (or at least changed seller), so I will be very interested to hear about your discussions with them, Greg.....
I'm very happy with the operation of the TVD DRS receiver/Stanton S-cab combo, my only wish would be for a bit of a range boost!

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
As I've mentioned in several threads on this subject over the last year or so, I am using the Tam Valley DRS receivers very successfully in conjunction with the Stanton Radio Cab (S-Cab) handset, made by Neil Stanton as a special-order 869MHz "Euro" band set to match the 869MHz DRS units; this allows full wireless function control of a standard DCC decoder, but with dead rails and the loco powered by an internal 14.8v Li-Ion battery pack. The only downside that I've so far discovered is the relatively short control range, as the S-Cab is a low power unit primarily designed for indoor layouts, but I have found that in most cases the range is adequate for the majority of garden layouts that I've taken my locos to visit; the system does have the big advantage that if you do happen to lose connection due to range issues on a very large layout, the loco simply continues trundling on at the same speed (just as it would do on DCC track power) until it gets back into radio range again.
The Tam valley DRS transmitter in the post above does seem to be rather an odd idea, particularly in its lack of a full numeric keypad; the whole idea of the system is that you have full wireless control of a DCC decoder with all its sound functions, for which you need a full set of number keys!

I don't think the DRS control handset was ever really made available before the product line changed hands (or at least changed seller), so I will be very interested to hear about your discussions with them, Greg.....
I'm very happy with the operation of the TVD DRS receiver/Stanton S-cab combo, my only wish would be for a bit of a range boost!

Jon.
Click to expand...
Jon forgot that you were using a different handset with your recievers, thanks for the timely reminder.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
I agree, the design looks somewhat strange, figuring that there would at least be a keypad. But if it was very cost effective, perhaps good for guests or children?

Greg
Click to expand...
That is a very good point, one Stanton Radio Throttle for programming and a DRS1 or two Radio Throttles for guests. Providing that each can talk to all the recievers with no conflicts all will be well in the world.

But I guess that may not be the case, I imagine that each throttle would need to be bound in some way to a Reciever?
 
No, each throttle is not bound to a receiver. The only discrimination is the DCC address, all throttles and receivers work on the same frequency.

So that multiple throttles can be used at the same time the S-CAB (and I believe the DRS Throttle said the same when its description was available) turns its transmissions on and off frequently using a random pattern. Two transmitters on the same frequency will usually affect/corrupt each other but the theory here is that only one will be transmitting at a time, and if they do both transmit at the same time and corrupt each other the nature of DCC means another transmission, that hopefully won't get corrupted, will be along soon. Obviously as the number of transmitters grows the chance of each transmitter affecting another also grows, so there will be a limit, maybe about 4, of the max throttles that can be used at the same time.

I also have an S-CAB but as I've only got one, using more than one at the same time is not something I've tried, but I'm confident that it would work. Hopefully I'll meet up with Jon sometime and multiple transmitters can be tested, or Jon is welcome to borrow my S-CAB if necessary to try this out.
 
dunnyrail said:
That is a very good point, one Stanton Radio Throttle for programming and a DRS1 or two Radio Throttles for guests. Providing that each can talk to all the recievers with no conflicts all will be well in the world.

But I guess that may not be the case, I imagine that each throttle would need to be bound in some way to a Reciever?
Click to expand...

No, that's not a problem, JonD. All the receivers will pick up the signals from all the transmitters you are using, BUT as what you're doing is sending a DCC command signal wirelessly, just as with track-powered DCC each loco will only respond to the signals for its own loco address..... all the TVD receivers will be passing the signals to the decoders they are connected to, but unless that command is addressed to the correct loco address the decoder in the loco will ignore it.

Jon.


Edit: oops, Cliff posted while I was typing my post......
 
Zerogee said:
No, that's not a problem, JonD. All the receivers will pick up the signals from all the transmitters you are using, BUT as what you're doing is sending a DCC command signal wirelessly, just as with track-powered DCC each loco will only respond to the signals for its own loco address..... all the TVD receivers will be passing the signals to the decoders they are connected to, but unless that command is addressed to the correct loco address the decoder in the loco will ignore it.

Jon.


Edit: oops, Cliff posted while I was typing my post......
Click to expand...
Cliff George said:
No, each throttle is not bound to a receiver. The only discrimination is the DCC address, all throttles and receivers work on the same frequency.

So that multiple throttles can be used at the same time the S-CAB (and I believe the DRS Throttle said the same when its description was available) turns its transmissions on and off frequently using a random pattern. Two transmitters on the same frequency will usually affect/corrupt each other but the theory here is that only one will be transmitting at a time, and if they do both transmit at the same time and corrupt each other the nature of DCC means another transmission, that hopefully won't get corrupted, will be along soon. Obviously as the number of transmitters grows the chance of each transmitter affecting another also grows, so there will be a limit, maybe about 4, of the max throttles that can be used at the same time.

I also have an S-CAB but as I've only got one, using more than one at the same time is not something I've tried, but I'm confident that it would work. Hopefully I'll meet up with Jon sometime and multiple transmitters can be tested, or Jon is welcome to borrow my S-CAB if necessary to try this out.
Click to expand...
Or you are both very welcome to a trip over to the Dunnybahn in St.Neots, sure we can test it all out on my line. Be interesting to see how it performs with my other Battery Kit Aristo and Spoerer for the moment.
 
Therein lies the rub... if there is no central control, then the only way several transmitters can avoid colliding with each other on the same frequency is to transmit randomly and not too often, or they could listen first and hearing nothing transmit.

Unfortunately this method causes performance problems, i.e. slow response.

That's why AirWire, for example, put each transmitter on it's own frequency.

Herein lies the architecture of the "true" DCC system, throttles talk to the command station, and then the command station is the only "transmitter" to the trains.

Greg
 
John S said:
For the technical notes! Best to gloss over and past this bit by!

The module is a single-channel transmitter designed for the wireless transfer of digital or analogue information over distances of up to 1,000 feet outdoors and up to 500 feet indoors. It is based on a high-performance synthesized architecture. FM / FSK modulation is utilized.

The transmit power is set to a particular level by placing a resistor from the LADJ line (Pin2) to ground. This resistor works in combination with an internal supply pull-up to create a voltage divider. This voltage level sets the power amplifier’s gain and the output power.

As in the Tam Valley Transmitter, has been set to a range of about 50', this is necessary to comply with legislation, no doubt in time some one will reverse engineer this!
View attachment 232634
Click to expand...

I think what you are describing here is the Linx LXM-[869/916]-ES the transmitter chip used on the TVD transmitter and in the Stanton Cab, correct?

Yes I read the Linx guide for the chip too. I think you are suggesting that by adjusting the resistor on the LADJ line that the range could possibly be increased, correct? I agree that is possibly correct, but I also think that altering the circuit board these are installed on would be quite difficult. It would be an interesting project.

A suggestion has been made to me that increasing the voltage to the chip on VCC would also make a difference to the range, that is possible also but I note that the max this can be is 4vdc.

As you say the chip spec claims up to 1000ft range but currently only 50ft is claimed by TVD so there is the possibility of increasing the range with some treeks.
 
Cliff George said:
I think what you are describing here is the Linx LXM-[869/916]-ES the transmitter chip used on the TVD transmitter and in the Stanton Cab, correct?

..................A suggestion has been made to me that increasing the voltage to the chip on VCC would also make a difference to the range, that is possible also but I note that the max this can be is 4vdc.

As you say the chip spec claims up to 1000ft range but currently only 50ft is claimed by TVD so there is the possibility of increasing the range with some treeks.
Click to expand...

Am I right in assuming that the power source of the S-Cab is a single Li-Po cell, so 3.7 volts? That would fit in with the suggestion of running the transmitter chip on full battery voltage (still under the rated 4v) in order to increase the transmission power and thus the range.
If the S-cab was good for 50-60 feet, I would be more than happy with that; as it is, its range is really only in the region of 20 feet which, while just about adequate, could be better. In Stanton's defence, the S-Cab IS really designed for indoor layouts, where the limited range would be more than enough in most cases.

Jon.
 
Moved from "How do you power your locos?"
 
And further moved to DCC as requested by one of the posters.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
What's the power limitation in the ISM band there in the UK? It's 4 watts max here in the US I think.

Greg
Click to expand...

According to IR 2030 and also ERC 70-03 the power limit for 869.85MHz is 5mW.

I note that the Linx chips on which the TVD system is based, TXM-[869/916]-ES and RXM-[86/916]-ES have gone end of life. A possible contributory reason for TVD dropping the system? There is supposed to be an ES2 version out from Linx sometime.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom