Maxstoke

Hi Richard,

 

I can;t comment on the Pictroller, having no experience of them myself. I have had success with refurbishing a couple of AMRs by replacing the potentiometer. The carbon tracks don't last forever.

 

If memory serves it is a 10K linear job. I replaced it with a Cermet one but they were probably less expensive at the time... even now it's probably cheaper than a new controller though.

 

Regards, Andy

Thanks Andy,

That's a good idea. I have heard very good reviews of Morley controllers. But will need to try one on my locks with coreless motors before I buy this time.

Hi Richard, I also have a spare Pictroller following a similar experience!

In my opinion you still can't touch the Pentroller for control of coreless motors and would dearly like to get hold of another as a spare but those that come up for sale fetch silly prices.

 

Jerry

 My Pictroller doesn't seem to like coreless motors either, so I'm looking for an alternative too.

 

Alex.

I thought that some people had talked to the Pictroller designer about the poor performance on small coreless motors, and there may be a tweak available.  Worth contacting him to find out.
 
Alternatively, and much cheaper, the small units from MedVend get good comments and seem to perform well - I think that Mark Fielder has one. They can be battery (9v) or powered by a power-brick.  Personally, I don't like the inertia/brake stuff on the "Blueline" MedVend units, but for basic speed control they seem to perform well - I've not tested the MedVend on small motors such as a Nigel Lawton or Faulhaber/Maxxon.  Under Euro30, and Euro8 for postage last time I saw a price list.  Email the owner of the website for sales via PayPal.

 

 http://medvend.hu/analog_en.html
 
 
However, like others, I like my Pentroller and don't plan to get rid of it, even though most of my models are now DCC, I test run stuff on DC extensively before fitting chips. 
 
 
- Nigel

Personally, I don't like the inertia/brake stuff on the "Blueline" MedVend units

 

Nigel,

 

Is this because you're one of those people who don't like inertia/brake, or that you think that the implementation on this controller? If the latter; why?

 

Thanks,

 

Richard.

I had to get rid of my Pictrollers too, not only did they not like coreless motors, they also had hysterics when faced with antediluvian Ringfield motors. Basic Gaugemaster panel controllers seem to cope with everything.

Nigel, Is this because you're one of those people who don't like inertia/brake, or that you think that the implementation on this controller? If the latter; why? Thanks, Richard.

I don't like the implementation on this specific controller (I'm quite happy with a classic inertia/brake as on a panel mount Pentroller and several other controllers). I know others who do like the MedVend Blueline inertia feature. But, I thought it was worth pointing out that there may be an issue with that feature

I think it's more that I just don't like inertia/brake generally, but I bought myself both the Blueline and standard types when I organised a batch of them for the club, but find myself always using the normal one. There are multiple options now for battery only, DC in only, both, and even panel mount etc. Andre is happy to give discounts for ordering a few at a time.

 

Didn't you have one (branded as Z-Line or something) on your test track Richard?

 

Interesting comments. I had thought the Pictroller was similar to the Pentroller.

 

In 0 gauge my coreless motors with high efficiency gearboxes respond well to a emitter folower type. I was interested because I have some 2mm coreless builds in the queue. 

 

Don