DC slow speed control

[Unicop]

I expect this topic has been cooked to death but I really need help in choosing a controller for N gauge which will give me good slow speed running.

I am in the process of building a small 4ft x 9" end to end using class 08 shunters etc

 

[Gordon H]

^{Good slow speed running is more to do with the quality of the loco rather than the controller. It shouldn't be the task of a controller to overcome deficiences in the loco mechanism.}

[AndersJ]

Morley ( http://www.morleycontrollers.com/ ) have N-gauge (non feedback) DC controllers. They claim their controllers give very good slow speed.

I have been tempted to test their 00 version for my DC locos.

At the moment I'm using a Trax (http://www.traxcontrols.com/controllers.htm ) feedback controller which gives several of my locos very realistic slow speed and start/stops.

N gauge is mentioned on the controller page so maybe it would be worth a try.

 

/Anders

[DCB]

It depends on the mechanisms more than anything, the Morley and the similar OnTrack controllers have a centre off knob and regulate the voltage which gives smooth running with good quality mechanisms, such as the modern OO gauge Bachmann units. The N gauge units have less power and a different cut out settings to suit the smaller motors, so don't use an OO unit.  The electronic pulse controllers are better for crude direct worm drive where stiction is a problem but they do make mechanisms noisy and seem to cause heating.   I would use a Morley for a Gronk (08) but the motor is the key, my locos with computer motors will run at the same wheel rotational speed for the same speed setting whether they are running light or slipping to a stand and that is exactly how I remember 08s shunting speedlink freights at Gloucester in the 1980s masses of wheelslip, with the wheels revolving at full speed 20 mph, with the train barely moving.  They certainly did not hang about!

[Unicop]

Many thanks to all for the information, very helpful