Ray Von Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 When I was a kid I had a Hornby brand controller that was basically a dial that had an "Off" indicator at the "12 o'clock" position - when turned clockwise from this point the trains would run forward (speed increases the further from 12 o'clock the dial was turned) turning the dial anticlockwise would slow the train, and once the 12 o'clock indicator was passed it would reverse direction. Can you still find a DC controller still made in this style? I'm at a loss to think of the technical term for such an item (hence the topic title!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 "centre-off" Ideal for children to make locos go full speed one way, then instantly the other! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
40034_Nick Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I had this back in the day.. it always smelt like it was burning ... hahaha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 Wrong one, you meant the Hornby 914. I had one and it was rubbish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 (edited) The old H&M range usually had this type of knob. A good Clipper or Duette is often to be seen as the emergency standby even today. My personal preference is for a separate reverse switch. Edited January 14, 2021 by doilum 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 (edited) The Minitrains controller is centre-off, I can't remember if there is a positive click at the 12 o'clock position. Edited January 14, 2021 by Nile Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach james Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 Lego made one too... the 9V controller 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 Morley 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham108 Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Nile said: Morley Unless they've changed the design since I bought one a few years' ago there's no centre click on the main unit - but there is on the hand-held units. Graham 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium boxbrownie Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 http://morleycontrollers.com/shopexd.asp?id=34 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasdavetheroad Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 The speed control knob is a potentiometer and the 12 o'clock click is called a detent, You can also get potentiometers with multiple detents so you could simulate speed control 'notches' . I prefer this to using a direction switch although both options are available. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 2 hours ago, Nile said: Morley Thanks, do they not do a single track version though? These all seem to have dual control... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 11 minutes ago, wasdavetheroad said: The speed control knob is a potentiometer and the 12 o'clock click is called a detent, You can also get potentiometers with multiple detents so you could simulate speed control 'notches' . I prefer this to using a direction switch although both options are available. Thanks, which model do you use / recommend? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 The H&M controllers with resistance mats had a positive centre off which clicked into place. I think I still have a couple somewhere that I've been meaning to dig out and flog on Ebay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I was recently given an Airfix controller that appears to have been made by H&M. It is however, incredibly noisy. Any ideas folks? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikey Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 2 hours ago, bartram108 said: Unless they've changed the design since I bought one a few years' ago there's no centre click on the main unit - but there is on the hand-held units. Well, my five-year old Morley Vector Zero Two certainly has centre-off pots on the main unit as well as the remotes. First class controller, btw ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium boxbrownie Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 51 minutes ago, Ray Von said: Thanks, do they not do a single track version though? These all seem to have dual control... This is true, but it’s appears on the link I posted they are doing an offer presently of the twin controller with two free single walk around units, might be a possibility for you? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 1 minute ago, boxbrownie said: This is true, but it’s appears on the link I posted they are doing an offer presently of the twin controller with two free single walk around units, might be a possibility for you? Wow, that's four controllers on a single track shelf layout - seems a bit of a waste..? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium boxbrownie Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Ray Von said: Wow, that's four controllers on a single track shelf layout - seems a bit of a waste..? I was thinking you could have the main controller tucked away under/behind/hidden somewhere and just a single remote hand unit for use. And have plenty of future expansion available should, you need it. Edited January 14, 2021 by boxbrownie 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 8 minutes ago, boxbrownie said: I was thinking you could have the main controller tucked away under/behind/hidden somewhere and just a single remote hand unit for use. And have plenty of future expansion available should, you need it. That's an interesting idea, can you run DC accessories from these models? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium boxbrownie Posted January 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2021 38 minutes ago, Ray Von said: That's an interesting idea, can you run DC accessories from these models? I am not sure, better you check the specs on the site yourself. I am DCC...... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasdavetheroad Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 2 hours ago, Ray Von said: Thanks, which model do you use / recommend? Sorry, I should have explained my controller is for radio control, the speed control is still a pot though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamsRadial Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I have a pair of Fleischmann 6735 centre-off controllers, supposedly for n-gauge, but they ran all of my 00 locomotives very nicely. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Von Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 1 hour ago, AdamsRadial said: I have a pair of Fleischmann 6735 centre-off controllers, supposedly for n-gauge, but they ran all of my 00 locomotives very nicely. Eep. Just bought one on eBay.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham108 Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 (edited) 14 hours ago, Ray Von said: Wow, that's four controllers on a single track shelf layout - seems a bit of a waste..? The hand-held units are used to connect to the main units so you only have 2 controllers in total Graham Edited January 15, 2021 by bartram108 Add name 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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