jimikelly Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 Been looking on the internet and in this forum .for DC controllers , would one of these two controllers be better than the other . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted May 12, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2013 IIRC a Duette is simply two clippers in a case, basic controllers but very good, whereas the HM 2000 introduced clever stuffs. The Duette is pretty easy to fix if things go wrong but the HM2000 is probably a brick if the electronics fail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 Unless you are on a tight budget, beware about buying second hand electrical goods. Whilst they were good (in their day) the Duet is getting on now. Mine was put up in the loft years ago. Ok, it still works (well really) but it is 30 years old and I can't be sure of the internal condition. I woulD be very reluctant to buy and use ANY electrical equipment second hand more than 5 years old. There are numerous products out there at quite good prices available new or nearly new, buy with care! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greslet Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 The duette is a great controller. Mine was a Christmas present in 1975 and is still in use connected to my test track to try out new engines before DCC conversion. The H&M controllers of this era are pretty much indestructible. We have at least 3 of them still in use on our various club layouts too. Personally I'd have little hesitation going for a second hand duette. Check that there is a relatively small fuse in the plug (5amp at most), the worst that can happen is the fuse blows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crompton 33 Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 personally i would be looking for a gaugemaster controller as you can get these repaired if it did have a fault. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 An H & M Powermaster (or rather two of them) would be better than a Duette, as the former is a variable transformer, which gives much better control than a resistance unit.* However they are rather old now and ideally should be pensioned off or at least tested by a competent electrician. I would hope that electrical equipment would last more than five years however. * All to do with source impedance - the lower the better - any resistance in series with a motor will affect its speed regulation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcm@gwr Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 I've had 1 of mine from new, too long ago to admit when! I had it apart when 1 of the screw terminals came loose, pretty basic inside, but also fairly bulletproof. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimikelly Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 Thanks Guys I think I,ll go for the Gaugemaster range . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted May 13, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 13, 2013 I still have a working Safety Minor, but it is getting a bit tatty Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimikelly Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 I still have a working Safety Minor, but it is getting a bit tatty Thanks for the offer Martin ,but Im going to go with a Gaugemaster which will run 2 tracks .Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted May 14, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks for the offer Martin ,but Im going to go with a Gaugemaster which will run 2 tracks .Cheers Not for offer my sons use it on their train set Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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