brynjames Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 I picked up an old H&M Duette controller at the Horsham show. The object is to use it with grandson's new Hornby layout as the supplied Hornby controller trips out when older Hornby locos are put in service (I'm told the earlier locos drew more current than the new ones). A brief test shows it is working well, but I'm not sure what position the optional switches should be put into: the choices are full wave/ half wave, and high resistance/ low resistance. Any advice appreciated. -- Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 I picked up an old H&M Duette controller at the Horsham show. The object is to use it with grandson's new Hornby layout as the supplied Hornby controller trips out when older Hornby locos are put in service (I'm told the earlier locos drew more current than the new ones). A brief test shows it is working well, but I'm not sure what position the optional switches should be put into: the choices are full wave/ half wave, and high resistance/ low resistance. Any advice appreciated. -- Bryn Full wave for ordinary running, .....half wave for extra slow running, and resistance is set to match the motor, if it moves away with a lurch on low resistance, try it on high and vice versa., it only sets the range of control. The HM are very tough old controllers, but make sure the lead is 100%, properly earthed, and fused, and the case has not been tampered with, for instance the snap rivets removed and screws fitted, indicating it's been opened. They can be serviced by any electrician, but should be riveted closed afterwards for safety, as it is an earthed unit. Stephen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynjames Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 The HM are very tough old controllers, but make sure the lead is 100%, properly earthed, and fused, and the case has not been tampered with, for instance the snap rivets removed and screws fitted, indicating it's been opened. They can be serviced by any electrician, but should be riveted closed afterwards for safety, as it is an earthed unit. Hmmm, interesting. Are you sure it might not be double insulated? This unit is connected with a two core cable only ( I found the brown and blue leads wired to the wrong pins on the 13A plug although that shouldn't matter too much if it truly is double insulated. No sign of funny marks on the case and the rivets seem to be original and intact. There are a number of cross headed bolts on the bottom of the case, which I presume are just for securing the internal components. -- Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted April 30, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 30, 2010 Full wave for ordinary running, .....half wave for extra slow running, and resistance is set to match the motor, if it moves away with a lurch on low resistance, try it on high and vice versa., it only sets the range of control. The HM are very tough old controllers, but make sure the lead is 100%, properly earthed, and fused, and the case has not been tampered with, for instance the snap rivets removed and screws fitted, indicating it's been opened. They can be serviced by any electrician, but should be riveted closed afterwards for safety, as it is an earthed unit. Stephen. Duettes are double insulated and must not be earthed. Andi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted April 30, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hmmm, interesting. Are you sure it might not be double insulated? This unit is connected with a two core cable only ( I found the brown and blue leads wired to the wrong pins on the 13A plug although that shouldn't matter too much if it truly is double insulated. No sign of funny marks on the case and the rivets seem to be original and intact. There are a number of cross headed bolts on the bottom of the case, which I presume are just for securing the internal components. Bryn The front of the case will have a "square within a square" logo, this indicates that it is double insulated Andi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Yes, thinking about it the Duette should be double, there were plenty of earlier HM that were not, if it has the sign and two core then double insulated, but still inspect carefully. Stephen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Take a very careful look at both the mains lead and the grommet around it where it enters the case. Any evidence of the mains lead or the grommet degrading, whether cracking or going tacky or crumbly, and it should not be used until these are renewed. That apart, as above these are well made items that have near indefinite life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynjames Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks folks for all the comments. I just remembered that I had a Clipper (which looks like half a Duette) of a similar vintage in the back of the cupboard: a quick inspection shows that it also is double insulated with a front panel inscription "Class IIB double insulated". The Duette, however, has no such front panel inscription - no mention of double insulated anywhere unlike the pictures posted above, but then equally there is no sign of any earth wire either:) -- Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynjames Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks folks for all the comments. I just remembered that I had a Clipper (which looks like half a Duette) of a similar vintage in the back of the cupboard: a quick inspection shows that it also is double insulated with a front panel inscription "Class IIB double insulated". The Duette, however, has no such front panel inscription - no mention of double insulated anywhere unlike the pictures posted above, but then equally there is no sign of any earth wire either:) -- Bryn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 I had a Duette years ago- wish I'd never parted with it, since now I'm after one again (for my son's trains, too!!) and they seem to fetch quite high prices on Ebay- especially with P&P added on!! Re the Hornby controller; if it's the one that comes in their trainsets it's the most useless bit of kit I've ever come across- it trips at the slightest thing, and that's with a new Pendolino, never mind Thomas, Gordon etc.... also why I'm after a Duette!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted May 1, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 1, 2010 I've also got a Duette and will hang on to it. I've used it on my Long Preston layout when the Kent Panel units go down (Which they have a habit of doing). It has never let me down and is fine for the fiddle yard but the main line with large locos is a bit beyond it for a long running session. At the moment it's being used as the test controller on Green Ayre. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Half wave turns the unit into a crude pulse controller. Some more modern motors do not like this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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