norman

I don't think he said he couldn't fit a handrail just that he's not happy with Hattons lack of customer service. Tell me why Hattons could not have included 4 hand rail knobs with an apology. Norman

Hi Simond An interesting view point I guess but if Hattons had supplied the necessary bits with a clear and "unambiguous at your own risk" all would have been well. IMHO To deliver a model at £750 knowing that there is a serious error without trying to make amends smacks of arrogance, I am truly disappointed in Hattons lack of customer service. Norman

I agree with Cuddle, Hattons should do more to put right their error. It's truly deplorable that they knowing of the problem and not offering a good solution. They could and should have at least sourced the correct hand rail knobs and included 4 with each loco sold. Oh and they could easily have produced a template for drilling the loco. At £750 its a bargain really but this gross error and the lack of customer support is lamentable. Just offering "your money back" if you are not satisfied is not what I would expect from a truly customer focused organisation. Norman

Amazing, well done you and Dapol.

It's probably more to do with the difficulty in creating a good sound project. The noise these fantastic machines created is very much non standard, just go to youtube and have a listen to one or two. The problem is created because you can here a distinctive rapid chuff and the noise from the chain drives, which will not be easy to replicate simply by recording the real thing as in reality the noise is not synchronised. e.g. when coasting very light chuffs and a noisy chain but when driven the chain drive is in the background only. If this can be achieved authentically it will re-create the illusion of the full size machine. No one yet seems to offer a good solution on Zimo or ESU - so I think it must be difficult. .

As I see it Gaugemaster are trying to supply just what customers ask for. Heljan spares are available in limited quantity very often just from the end of a production run and if a customer wants one or two parts from a spru they supply just those leaving the rest of the spru available for a n other. That's surely the best way to eek out the limited availability. I have a draw with quite a few Heljan spares from when Howes supplied complete sprus. If you wanted say one window you had to buy the complete window spru with perhaps 10+ mouldings. Gaugemaster have only been supplying Heljan spares for a short while and no doubt there will be a learning curve, so please cut them some slack. I have found them very accommodating.

OK CV294 is used to adjust the brightness of Aux 3, as this does not work for you then the fan is not connected via Aux 3. If you look at page 63 of the ESU manual (http://www.southwestdigital.co.uk/PDF/LokSound/51972_LokSound_V40_ESUKG_EN_User-Manual_Edition-4_eBook_03.pdf) you will see that each output can be adjusted individually. So as it's not Aux 3 try Aux 4 on CV302 or Aux1 or Aux2. Read and record each first before adjusting. Don't give up - persevere and you'll get there I'm sure.

Hi Phil Did you adjust the speed by altering the values in CV 294 i.e. was there any effect upon the rotational speed?

I'm not clear what you are looking for. There is no option for "always ON" as the functions are actuated via your throttle i.e. F0 switches lights on in forward or reverse direction. That's assuming you have wired correctly using the white, yellow and blue wires.

I doubt that Dapol will see your message following your investigation. So please send them an email on this subject.

According to Tower the O gauge banana vans arrive soon.

Just received the parts I asked for from Gaugemaster - excellent service from Ian. Norman

I have done the same but I think it would be possible to reduce the Dapol PCB to just the 21 pin socket and the end that plugs in to the loco. That would make space in the boiler for a deeper speaker and a decent stay alive. I tried the Dapol method of two slim line sugar cubes but found that fitting the supplied gaskets was very fiddly and then I could not get one enclosure to sit properly so I abandoned that and went for the conventional soldered solution. Norman

Yep - that sounds like a record for the Guiness book - possibly unique. On the other hand there are very many that fail very quickly. Norman

The MX660 is a full sound decoder, with 6 lighting outputs. Checkout https://youchoos.co.uk/Index-Resource.php?L1=Guides&Item=N37MX660 Norman

The coupling hook on the Dapol 14xx is sprung, it's a bit stiff, but never the less is sprung by about 1-2 mm. Norman

The micro plugs used by Heljan are here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-Micro-0-8mm-Pitch-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-Pin-Female-JST-Connector-Wire/173911411335?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=472666082143&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 About 10 days for delivery. Norman

On my DCC fitted one the lights operate on F1 for coach interior and F2 for the drivers compartment. Norman

Hi njee20 and Dave I appreciate all your friendly comments and advice, it's really well received. Good technical help from experienced guys who want to help me. The ESU mobile control Mk1 is a good piece of kit that hopefully I will be able to use with my ancient Lenz set in the garden quite soon. Cheers Norman

Good news South West Digital aka the lovely Caroline and Steve have offered to send it back to ESU for repair. Norman

Just a quick update. I have found an expert who tells me it's probably just frequency drift. Apparently, some of the components used to generate the wireless frequency age and drift off. He thinks he can fix it so .......................... I'm surprised no one on here had much of a clue though. Norman

I have emailed ESU today but not yet received a reply. The unit is no longer in production so I'm not hopeful of receiving support from ESU. I will try the ESu forum too.Thanks for the suggestion. Norman

I have emailed ESU today but not yet received a reply. The unit is no longer in production so I'm not hopeful of receiving support from ESU. I will try the ESu forum too.Thanks for the suggestion. Norman

Hello Going (strange name) Yes I' have the manual and the handset and the base unit. The radio frequency is fixed at 433 MHz There are 10 channels but it is automatic selection only. I appreciate you throwing out suggestions but I was hoping someone with expert knowledge of the device might respond. Norman

Hi Ron Yes it is the Mk1 ESU mobile control version 1 from 2003. The 3xAAA batteries are fine - new ones fitted this morning! Norman