DC Walkaround Throttle

cpr_fan Nov 14, 2012

  1. cpr_fan

    cpr_fan TrainBoard Member

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  2. pachyderm217

    pachyderm217 TrainBoard Member

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    I have Ken's 852B throttle. Very nice slow speed control. My power source is a wall-wart transformer.
     
  3. Tony Burzio

    Tony Burzio TrainBoard Supporter

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    We "ran" a Dash 9 on one of Ken's throttles at slowest speed, and we couldn't easily see it moving. We took off the shell and drew a line with a Sharpie on the flywheel. The line was indeed slowly rotating, once about every 20 seconds. Then we went off to get an ice cream and came back in about 10 minutes. The engine had moved about an inch. No heat on the frame around the motor! 5 Stars.
     
  4. shortliner

    shortliner TrainBoard Member

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    From the RHS of the puddle - probably the best DC controller you can get! Crawl speed is incredible!
     
  5. RWCJr

    RWCJr TrainBoard Member

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    Have to echo the others, the throttle from Ken Stapleton has been in use for a few years, I have had no problems with it.
     
  6. alhoop

    alhoop TrainBoard Supporter

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    I built two from his schematics. What others have said about performance.
    Al
     
  7. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    This is exactly what I've wanted for years. Now to figure out how to get into the house without my accountant/roomate knowing...she already has bought my Christmas present.
     
  8. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Well the only problem I see is that it is a tethered throttle. Fine for a smal layout but not so good for Ntrak or a large walk-a-round layout. The Aristo Craft radio throttles remain as the premier walk-a-round throttle. I see a lot of non DCC Ntrak setups using them. Still, on a large layout it would be quite the thing for switching or yard work where one could isolate the area from the main power supply.
     
  9. Hansel

    Hansel TrainBoard Member

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    So, does my new MRC Tech throttle have this PWM techonolgy in it? Or will I have to purchase this handheld throttle in order to make my trains run slow?
     
  10. Logtrain

    Logtrain TrainBoard Member

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    I would think that one could easily wire this in with a conventional 4 prong plug attached to the layout. This would allow one to unplug the controller and walk it further down the layout to another plug. The only issue or question would be, would the train stop once the controller is unplugged? My guess would be yes as the controller contains all the electronics for the throttle in your hand.
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Any problem with tether would depend upon your layout design. Otherwise, if you have more than one throttle, seems as though you could easily go from one to the next.
     
  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    How long is the cord? Is there some type of strain relief clamp where the power cord exits the case?
     
  13. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Originally Posted by Inkaneer
    Well the only problem I see is that it is a tethered throttle. Fine for a smal layout but not so good for Ntrak or a large walk-a-round layout. The Aristo Craft radio throttles remain as the premier walk-a-round throttle. I see a lot of non DCC Ntrak setups using them. Still, on a large layout it would be quite the thing for switching or yard work where one could isolate the area from the main power supply.

    Correct, the throttle has connections to the track as well as the power supply. Unplug the throttle from either and no power goes to the track. So it is not a walk around throttle.
     
  14. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would think one could easily buy a longer tether cord to replace the original one...or an 'extension' piece...with connectors...to fit for a home layout if the original 8 foot one isnt going to be long enough. By the looks of it...even a caveman like me can do it ;-)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 15, 2012
  15. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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  16. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    I use the Aristocraft untethered throttles. I certainly would like to have a throttle of this quality if it was untethered.
     
  17. railnut49

    railnut49 TrainBoard Member

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    I have some tethered DC MRC throttles that are nice, and I love them, also, NTRAK has the plans to build some hand held throttles, I have one I built, and love it. I'm a DC guy, have no intenstions of ever converting to the "DCC" world promoted by model rr magazines who push it for the sake of sales in advertising. I have never used the throttles you've mentioned. There is also a throttle made in Canada that has memory so when you move the throttle the train continues as you had it prior to moving the throttle for about $80.00. A friend has this system, DC, and loves it.
     
  18. shortliner

    shortliner TrainBoard Member

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    I think this may also be available from Ken
     
  19. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Originally Posted by railnut49
    There is also a throttle made in Canada that has memory so when you move the throttle the train continues as you had it prior to moving the throttle for about $80.00. A friend has this system, DC, and loves it.

    I didn't see it on his website. If he has one or can conjure up one it would be great. Should not be difficult to do provided one has the technical expertise as apparently he does.
     
  20. ErnieC

    ErnieC TrainBoard Member

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    Ken Stapleton's 821throttle has memory, the train continues when the tether is unplugged. It's the 2nd item on his web site. Slow speed for switching is superb, I highly recommend it.
    Ernie C
     

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