Powering & Controlloing BAttery Powered Railroads

[JFStahl]

I am totally confused by the acronymns used to define remote controls.  Could someone clarify what is the best product/system to remotely control a battery powered train, the best batteries, and how are switches remotely     controlled? Variables to consider for "what is best" should include value (cost vs performance), complexity, reliability and ease of intigration of other electronic products like sound boards.

[TonyWalsham]

This is a very complicated subject.

There are a number of different types of batteries used to power our Large Scale locos, just as there are a number of different types of Radio Control to control those batteries.

I would respectfully suggest a visit to www.MyLargescale.com and start asking questions in the specialist battery R/C forum they have.

In the meantime I have a brief list of acronyms listed here: http://www.rcs-rc.com/pages/beginners
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

[JFStahl]

Tony:

Thanks, that was really great and helpful infomation in the article.  I will try the R/C forum again, not too much luck the first time.

Who might I ask about switch machines and R/C control for them?

Regards,

John

[JFStahl]

Tony:

I have repeatedly tried to get into the www.mylargesacle.com forms but I am not able to get past entry of the securiy code, it always says I am wrong.  What am I missing?

Regards,

John

[Greg Elmassian]

maybe upper and lower case of the security code?

Greg

[kstrong]

Which system is "best" has a lot to do with what--precisely--you want to control. Pretty much all the systems on the market will allow you to move the locomotive forward and back, blow the whistle, and ring the bell. The difference comes in the degree of control you have over how it does all that stuff, and to a lesser extent the "extras" it can control.

To be able to answer that question best, a little additional information about the kinds of trains you like to run, the environment in which they will run, etc. would be beneficial. Are you looking to run multiple locomotives together in one consist (for example, two or three diesels at the front of a long freight), or will you likely only be running one locomotive at a time, or two locos but on separate tracks?

For example, while I usually run only one loco at a time, I want to be able to control as many sounds and lighting functions as practical given the locomotive. So for me, I look for systems that give me ample ability to control lots of functions. I'm not so worried about how easy it might be to group multiple locos together in a single consist. Sure, the systems I use can do it, but it's not a function I avail myself of, so how easy it may be to do so doesn't enter the equation.

Pretty much all of the systems can easily integrate with the various sound systems, and installing them is for all intents and purposes going to be about the same level of difficulty--more dependent on the locomotive than the system being installed.

Later,

K