Modern Wireless DC control

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Does anyone have any familiarity with modern wireless DC control systems?

I want to improve our TTRAK control rig and offer something nicer for our straight DC contingent.

[nickelplate759]

Well, if you already have a wireless DCC rig, could you just insert a DCC decoder in the feeder to DC track circuit?

I've never done that, but it seems to me that it would control DC locomotives the same as a other DC throttle.

[C855B]

Well, if you already have a wireless DCC rig, could you just insert a DCC decoder in the feeder to DC track circuit?

I've never done that, but it seems to me that it would control DC locomotives the same as a other DC throttle.

I've thought about that for our club layout for years, but - darned if I can't recall why - there was an unexpected consequence. It was something beyond turning off back EMF.

[peteski]

Our own @mmagliaro designed and sells a wireless DC throttle.

[samusi01]

Kato has a Bluetooth setup… DCC-EX also offers DC control apparently.

[mmagliaro]

Well, as Peteski points out (and you know, Ed), I did build and show a home-brew DC remote wireless system on this forum.
Whether it's "modern", I kind-a doubt.  I bet whoever is doing this commercially uses higher frequencies and WiFi networking protocols.
Mine is strictly an old-school transistor throttle with a "garage door opener" ASK (amplitude shift keying) control system on top of it.

But.. heh... it works, and the pulses won't confuse a decoder-equipped engine.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh *****, that's right!

For some reason I remembered that as being wired with memory.

That might be the way to go, but my only concern is the fact that it's intended audience is "basic model railroaders" and having something commercial (ie, with a warranty) might have benefits.

Mostly, I just don't want to ask Max to support the thing longer term than he wants to.

[Sumner]

… DCC-EX also offers DC control apparently.

Yes they have what they call TrackManager.....

https://dcc-ex.com/trackmanager/index.html#gsc.tab=0

.... still in its infancy and not plug and play like what the DCC-EX Command Station has almost become.  One great thing about it is you can use phone throttles and EngineDriver with it.  I haven't tried it and probably won't but here is a video showing some of the options. 

With additional power shields you can have up to 8 power districts and run DC or DCC on any of them.  Not at the same time but easy to change the district from one to the other on the fly.  One could build a DCC-EX Command station for under $50 and use it only to control DC trains with phone throttles on a DC layout.

Sumner

[mmagliaro]

Oh *****, that's right!

For some reason I remembered that as being wired with memory.

That might be the way to go, but my only concern is the fact that it's intended audience is "basic model railroaders" and having something commercial (ie, with a warranty) might have benefits.

Mostly, I just don't want to ask Max to support the thing longer term than he wants to.

Ed,
If you want to pursue this, send me a pm or email and let's talk it over.  I never embarked on selling these commercially, as there isn't
much demand for such a beast, and they are not cheap to build.  But it does do what you want.  And it doesn't rely on cellphones, nor is it difficult to operate.  I'm a "speed and direction and that's IT" kind-a guy myself.

[Point353]

Has anyone tried the products from this company?

http://www.bluerailways.co.uk/Index.aspx
http://www.bluerailways.co.uk/Products.aspx
http://www.bluerailways.co.uk/Shop.html

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed,
If you want to pursue this, send me a pm or email and let's talk it over.  I never embarked on selling these commercially, as there isn't
much demand for such a beast, and they are not cheap to build.  But it does do what you want.  And it doesn't rely on cellphones, nor is it difficult to operate.  I'm a "speed and direction and that's IT" kind-a guy myself.

Yeah, the feature set seems perfect. But the "how will the next guy deal with it?" aspect makes me want to find something that comes with a customer service phone number.

The problem is your effort is almost TOO good, if you know what I mean.

[mmagliaro]

Yeah, the feature set seems perfect. But the "how will the next guy deal with it?" aspect makes me want to find something that comes with a customer service phone number.

The problem is your effort is almost TOO good, if you know what I mean.

LOL!  No problem Ed.  I completely understand.  If I get hit by a bus, or just flat-out don't want to hear from anybody on fixing this thing someday, you don't want them to be stuck. 

I will say this.  I have a massively illustrated document that includes full schematics, board layouts, parts lists, along with step-by-step instructions on how to build one of these things, and discussions of all the theory of the circuits.  It's not "tech support", in that I might not be around to service the darn thing.  But an electronics nerd could build one from this document, and definitely fix an existing one from this document.  I didn't want what happened to the GML throttle to happen to this (i.e. the inventor dies and the product dies with him, along with all hope of any support from other people).  ("Massively illustrated" means a 100-page doc with about 96 illustrations/photos).  If anyone wants the doc, just ask and I'll send it along to you as a .pdf

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This looks... promising.

https://www.amazon.com/uniquegoods-Wireless-Controller-Adjustable-Reversible/dp/B06W56X259/ref=asc_df_B06W56X259/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=647293218143&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7853173165018244057&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1018728&hvtargid=pla-1750685445052&psc=1&mcid=84657f300d373826ace8d04dc24a8239

Thoughts?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This too.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186142152051?chn=ps&norover=1&mkscid=101&itemid=186142152051&targetid=1584571731043&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1018728&poi&campaignid=19894961968&mkgroupid=148855406073&rlsatarget=aud-1315132079689:pla-1584571731043&abcId=9307911&merchantid=5088341877

[Mike C]

  I don't think you could go wrong with the Ebay one . 20 bucks and free shipping !   Mike