windy_dave

It's definitely an interesting approach...

 

I'm less interested for locomotives, since they need power anyway, but I've been considering using BLE or similar 2.4 Ghz as an LCB replacement - my concern has been the amount of radio interference typically generated by DC motors.

 

I guess you're finding, even with the antenna in the loco, that it's manageable?

- sorry, been a bit absent; but yes it's manageable even in a cramped small tank loco. The only real interference problem I had was the motor magnet affecting the on/off reed switch. But I moved that 10mm further away and all was well.

Hi Dave

There have been other videos on the forum of locos running off track.

The Tam Valley DRS1 has been discussed or mentioned many times on these pages.

Here is a video that has been linked to from RMweb on a few occasions.

 

 

 

Note that the Tam Valley DRS system requires no special control system.

It's a simple add-on to any DCC system, from the cheapest and most basic, up to the most expensive and sophisticated.

Straight forward, regular "out of the box" DCC, to run any model of DCC decoder on dead rail.

No special handsets, just what comes with, or works with your DCC system of choice (tethered, wireless, smartphone, iPad etc, etc)

 

 

 

 

Rich, that book is FREE to download.

 

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/images/DRS_Book_version_Oct_2013.pdf

 

 

 

...

Hi Ron. thanks for this. Not sure how I missed Tam Valley in my research but really good to have been given the link now. My main issue with S-Cab is that it just allows 28 speed steps which means it's hard to get that really creeping start. D

It's definitely an interesting approach...

 

I'm less interested for locomotives, since they need power anyway, but I've been considering using BLE or similar 2.4 Ghz as an LCB replacement - my concern has been the amount of radio interference typically generated by DC motors.

 

I guess you're finding, even with the antenna in the loco, that it's manageable?

There doesn't seem to be any interference problem. What was an issue was the motor magnets affected the reed switches needed to switch the power on and off. So I detached those from the PCB's and moved them to just inside the cab where they work fine and are barely visible. D

Nicely done!

 

I've been looking at a similar option for a few months, there is a US group, called the Dead Rail Society - there is one chap there called Duncan McRee, who runs Tam Valley Depot - he has a downloadable PDF book - it costs $5, but well worth it - it explains all about how he does it, batteries, using powered rails in places to recharge the batteries etc. If your interested, its worth a look - and Digitrains at Lincoln sell both the transmitters and receivers. http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/drs1deadrailcomponents.html

 

Not to take anything away from WindyDave or how he's done it, its going with what works for each one, just thought I'd throw some extra info out there - hope that's ok! No connection with anyone mentioned in anyway!

 

Rich

Thanks Rich, not sure how I missed Tam Valley in my research but very useful.

I'm not interested in DCC, but am hoping to convert my two Dapol Terriers to BPRC, using nRF24L01 transceivers. I'm interested to know what batteries you're using, and where you put them. Also what voltage you're running the motor at. Knowing what someone else has done may make it a bit more encouraging to start messing with mine!

The S-Cab system works on 3.7v which it bumps up to 12v. Basically I just looked for the biggest battery I could fit into the Terrier bunker which was a 3.7V 380mAh 25C50C LiPO RC Battery Walkera Giant Power from component-shop.co.uk. A tight fit but gives a reasonable length of operation.

I've started this thread as most of the other wireless dcc discussions seem to have tailed off some years ago; I hope this won't offend anyone.

I'm planning a dock side layout in 7mm and want to build some really authentic looking inset track. However I soon discovered that using actual metal check rails requires some very fiddly electrics with numerous unauthentic isolation gaps. I did consider simple battery power radio control but also wanted the charm of DCC sound. So I did a bit of research and came across a really clever chap in the US called Neil Stanton who has developed a wireless DCC system. Details at http://www.s-cab.com.

So after a few false starts I've applied his technology to a Dapol Terrier with the result that I have a loco with wireless DCC sound and speed control, and which will be able to run on my (yet to be built!) inset track without any need for any isolation gaps. Putting the various components into the Terrier was challenging but fun,  as a proof of concept it seems to work.

The attached video is possibly the only video on the forum of a loco not running on any track. I make no apology as it seemed the best way to demonstrate the absence of needing any power or control using the track!

I just thought it might be of interest to anyone else facing the problems of isolating sections of inset track. And the skill and innovation is all Neil's, all I've done is apply it this side of the pond.