What type of control do you use?

[Anonymous]

i use track power it is so much esier

[Curmudgeon]

Oh, I know who you are, Ralph.
Ever since Battery Backshop tried to convince locals lead-acid technology was the way to go, in this neck of the woods they have been called "gell cells".


If I recall, the term "sealed" was disproved many years ago..they are vented or controlled vent. You seal a lead acid, without internal valve regulation, you've got a bomb.
So, most folks this side of the pond started calling them what they were using years ago, "gel cells" being one, which are considered sealed, and left it at that.

You could be simply using Sealed Lead Acid Motorcycle batteries, which still have liquid electrolyte, but even the experts in both small and automotive (and submarines) know it is better to NOT have sealed wet acid batteries, as you cannot check levels (and if you gas the acid, and lift the vent valve, the acid does not miraculously re-appear when it's gone) and use a hydrometer to check specific gravity in the individual cells.

But, if you are using Valve Regulated (VRLA) batteries, and fast charging, even more issues...
I can give you the links that list where "Thermal Runaway" begins in heavy charging...
If you are simply using "SLA" as a generic term for a blanket of "AGM" and "Gel Cells", okay, maybe I can understand your desire not to be specific.

I can give you the link that explains that if you like:

http://www.zbattery.com/zbattery/gelcellagm.html


We try to be a little more specific around here.

Like ".45ACP" and "12GA".....


(ADDENDUM):
Even NiCads and NiMH are vented.
One of the reasons you do not solder directly on a NiCad or NiMH is you run the risk of damaging or blocking the vent and having a serious problem.

Ya know, Ralph, this is like saying you drive an autromobile.
What kind of automobile?
A small one.
Okay, what country was it made in?
Japan.
Okay, which manufacturer?
Oh, Toyota.
Okay, which model?
Oh, a Camry.
Okay, what type of engine, dismal or gasoline?
Oh, gasoline.
Okay, what trim level?

and on, and on, and on.

If you'd search the data, you would find most sources call the term "SLA" a generic to cover several types, and like I said, in these parts folks figured it out long ago.

I suppose we could export the information, but we'd have to get State Department clearance...

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cabbage

HJ,

Ask and you shall receive, the SWISS Electric Powered Steam Locomotive.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/swisselec/swisselc.htm

There were also Diesel powered steam engines as well.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/kitson/kitsonst.htm

This site is (to me) a major source of inspiration.

regards

ralph

Hi Ralph,

I'm quite familiar with the E3/3 "we don't have enough coal" version.

Didn't know about the diesel, thanks for the link!

[cabbage]

David,

For your edification and elightenment please type in the three letters SLA into the SEARCH box.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/

You have been informed repeatedly that I do have an alternate persona on the computer forumns -you have just been the recipient of a slightest glimpse of what it is like.

In America you have the expression 'Hard Ball Player' -I carry a BODKIN...

regards

ralph

[cabbage]

HJ,

Ask and you shall receive, the SWISS Electric Powered Steam Locomotive.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/swisselec/swisselc.htm

There were also Diesel powered steam engines as well.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/kitson/kitsonst.htm

This site is (to me) a major source of inspiration.

regards

ralph

[Curmudgeon]

Never heard it called that....GelCell is what we use around here.
The post was directed at the one who created the conflict, not you.
Howver, you were used as an example!

HJ- All I can imagine is your railroad is also labelled in some ferrin language, too...like Swiss or German or Russian or some other such stuff.

One hard and fast rule was on valves...."O" was abbreviation for "Open", "3" was abbreviation for "Closed"....important to know on a boat that is mostly below the water line.....

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cabbage

I did not use DCC but FIG79 -a dialect of the FORTH language.

I got bored checking that the radio tx/rx was fully working and bench testing everything; servos; PWAM curves; RF spurious emissions etc -before it ran. (By the way I have a G3 and a G8 RSGB licence)

Nowadays, I flick a switch.

That is what the poll asked: 'What type of Control do you use?' to which I believe I have answered: 'NONE OF THE ABOVE'.

regards

ralph

Hi Ralph,[;)][:D][:D][:D]

Just for a moment I thought that "FIG79" was perhaps the 79th power of "I don't give a FIG"; which would have been the pat answer to TOC's missive. [;)][:)][:D][:D]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

Well......it sure is fun tho, isn't it?
Who puts a trailing car on the wrong end of the loco?

I have absolutely no problem with any of it, use what you want.
You should have seen the two words I had in the original I replaced with (problem).

I have been a long time dealing with folks who have realized the errors of their ways with track power in many parts of the country, so I make it a point to offer the opposing viewpoint.
Unfortunately, doing so is construed by some as "cultish" activity, so I do it all the more.

Like Judgement Day.
At least you won't be able to say nobody told you.

Oh, and who uses trail cars?

Like Sunday's meet, no trail cars, I was double-heading the old LGB Moguls from one transmitter (as I have done for over 10 years), and Shays, Climaxes, 2-6-0's, small diesels, didn't see any rail cars (if you don't count the short, short flatcar used to hold the beer can while working).
But it was on the "correct" end of the loco....at least until the fourth beer, anyway.....

TOC

Hey Dave,

My railway is somewhat like that "Rusky" sub you used to work on, mostly metric, most certainly a foreign prototype and believe it or not the prototype is electrically powered.[;)][:)][:)] You would probably bang you're head running it, just like you used to on the "Rusky".

Sooooo, I'm on the "right track" - except where it's double tracked, it's left hand running.

So far we have one live-steamer on the poll! no live-diesels?? Tsk tsk and what's with all the electrically powered steam engines? [;)][}:)][}:)][:D][:D]

Yep, couldn't resist, the devil made me do it![;)][}:)][:p][:D]

[cabbage]

David,

I am puzzled by your vitriol? In my part of the world SLA is a common abreviation for Sealed Lead Acid. and as far as I am aware has nothing to do with Messrs Polk Models... Mine are produced for the UPS system that provides shutdown power for my home office system -thus there are always plenty of fully charged spares to hand. (I have a dual 2.2KVA for my local server and workstation).

As to stating 'my way is best' -to my knowledge I did not..

I found that R/C systems did not suit my method of working. Please remember that I am one of the few people I know of that have designed their own locomotive control system from scratch. Here in the EU it is quite legal to use 433Mhz for synchronous bi directional data transmission and (for me) it made sense to adapt standard computer radio modem parts for this purpose. I did not use DCC but FIG79 -a dialect of the FORTH language.

I got bored checking that the radio tx/rx was fully working and bench testing everything; servos; PWAM curves; RF spurious emissions etc -before it ran. (By the way I have a G3 and a G8 RSGB licence)

Nowadays, I flick a switch.

That is what the poll asked: 'What type of Control do you use?' to which I believe I have answered: 'NONE OF THE ABOVE'.

regards

ralph

[Curmudgeon]

Someone was taking photos....I'll see what I can get.
My back hurt, I only ran for 3 hours.......
TOC

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon


... didn't see any rail cars (if you don't count the short, short flatcar used to hold the beer can while working).


TOC

And you didnt take any pictures??? We coulda got Phil to do a class on this![:D]

[Curmudgeon]

Well......it sure is fun tho, isn't it?
Who puts a trailing car on the wrong end of the loco?

I have absolutely no problem with any of it, use what you want.
You should have seen the two words I had in the original I replaced with (problem).

I have been a long time dealing with folks who have realized the errors of their ways with track power in many parts of the country, so I make it a point to offer the opposing viewpoint.
Unfortunately, doing so is construed by some as "cultish" activity, so I do it all the more.

Like Judgement Day.
At least you won't be able to say nobody told you.

Oh, and who uses trail cars?

Like Sunday's meet, no trail cars, I was double-heading the old LGB Moguls from one transmitter (as I have done for over 10 years), and Shays, Climaxes, 2-6-0's, small diesels, didn't see any trail cars (if you don't count the short, short flatcar used to hold the beer can while working).
But it was on the "correct" end of the loco....at least until the fourth beer, anyway.....

TOC


edit- for HJ.....yes, candid I appreciate, in fact, I think I said that.....
Makes understanding a bit easier.
At least I spell it out clearly (sometimes anyway).
I suppose, after all the money I have spent actually advertising in GR, I could push a product line, but, I don't.
Just the concept, so folks can see what is out there....
I can't magine trying to clean all this track under the spreading Maple, Filbert, Fir and Cedar trees.....

[vsmith]

[:0]Maybe I should have said...

"(name withheld) pack run thru a (name withheld) controller"

...guess thats Generic enough to avoid any "Minest ist Bestest " controversy, a little boring though, dont ya think? Besides, its not like I was trying to SELL anything here, just a statement about what I use...If people like what they use they're gonna be vocal about it and praise it, thats normal. I didnt realize we had to be "enthusiaticly nuetral" when we replied to these topics.

Ya know. sorry I cant do that, So I'll repeat my initial reply, I use an:

LGB pack run thru a Basic Train Engineer controller.

[:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

Nobody is saying "mine is best", except for:

"I have tried radio control and have abandoned it as -removing 'the fun element' seems to be all it does."

Sure looked like a "mine is best" statement.
What, you expected me to just sit here?

I challenge you to quote in this thread where I said "mine is best".

Seems "I thought this was a poll on what everyone used , not mine is the 'bestest 'and the 'only' way to go.
Your batteries can't handle the extra draw from fans , sound , lights and smoke ?
I don't have to justify my set up, it works without any hassle for me.
Seems that there is one consistant other that always jumps in to justify and try to sell his set up though. " is pretty blatant at picking a fight.

Show me IN THIS THREAD where anyone tried to sell anyone anything, OR even mentioned a product EXCEPT for somebody who said:

"I checked track power but I also run Aristo on-board and switch remotes."
"LGB pack run thru a Basic Train Engineer controller"
"On-board Train Engineer and batteries."

then:

"Digitrax DCC."
and "I just drop a new SLA into the loco".


So, let me get this straight.
3 folks (you included) are pushing an Aristo product, by name.
Two others mentioned other products, by name.

Nobody mentioned any other brand of radio control, nor did they try to sell anything, but you seem to have a (problem) with anyone who thinks differently than you.

I do appreciate your being so candid and letting everyone on THIS board see that, as you have done on other boards.

Gotta watch that bias, Bud.
It shows.

TOC

Sheeeeesh Dave,

It's only Monday! Long way to go to running trains on Friday.[:o)][:o)][:D][:D]

BTW about being candid; isn't that a trait you admire??[;)][}:)][:D][:D]

Sooooo whatever turns your crank (without getting cranky)! I like ZIMO DCC, live in the climate that's easy on the oxydation problem!

[}:)][}:)] I can't get my track to tarnish properly, have been considering sending the stuff for six months of holidays in the Seattle - Vancouver - Victoria Triangle [;)][;)], known for plenty of rain and dreary weather.**** OTOH probably just paint the rail and be done.

Oh yeah.......................operation is point to point and a trailing car with batteries being on the wrong end of the engine isn't my idea of prototypical.

**** It probably rained - again - on the weekend and TOC's cigar got wet![:o)][;)][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm not even going to put my head over the parapet.
I'm carefully waving a flag with DCC track power on it.

[Curmudgeon]

Nobody is saying "mine is best", except for:

"I have tried radio control and have abandoned it as -removing 'the fun element' seems to be all it does."

Sure looked like a "mine is best" statement.
What, you expected me to just sit here?

I challenge you to quote in this thread where I said "mine is best".

Seems "I thought this was a poll on what everyone used , not mine is the 'bestest 'and the 'only' way to go.
Your batteries can't handle the extra draw from fans , sound , lights and smoke ?
I don't have to justify my set up, it works without any hassle for me.
Seems that there is one consistant other that always jumps in to justify and try to sell his set up though. " is pretty blatant at picking a fight.

Show me IN THIS THREAD where anyone tried to sell anyone anything, OR even mentioned a product EXCEPT for somebody who said:

"I checked track power but I also run Aristo on-board and switch remotes."
"LGB pack run thru a Basic Train Engineer controller"
"On-board Train Engineer and batteries."

then:

"Digitrax DCC."
and "I just drop a new SLA into the loco".


So, let me get this straight.
3 folks (you included) are pushing an Aristo product, by name.
Two others mentioned other products, by name.

Nobody mentioned any other brand of radio control, nor did they try to sell anything, but you seem to have a (problem) with anyone who thinks differently than you.

I do appreciate your being so candid and letting everyone on THIS board see that, as you have done on other boards.

Gotta watch that bias, Bud.
It shows.

TOC

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

or, like one guy, put 22 volts on the track and clean 1200 feet in 10 minutes at warp factor 3.

We just start out and operate.

Hard to comprehend all the hoops the track power folks jump through to justify what they do....

Clamps, bonds, feeders, track cleaners, 15A power supplies, power districts, even cooling fans.
Hilarious.

TOC

Dave, it easy for me to justify doing the track powered mombo. I'm indoors, elevated on benchwork, and the layout is large enough to be interesting for me, yet small enough not to take up the entire building. Everythings wired up using good old Atlas controllers, manual switches, real Low Tech!! For me RC just doens't make sense, but if I ever do get outside and make a larger more complicated layout, aint no way in Hades I'm gonne wire that mess up!!! [;)]

BTW your 2-4-2 has already been introduced to Mr. Razorsaw! Stay tuned for pics![:p]

[BudSteinhoff]

I thought this was a poll on what everyone used , not mine is the 'bestest 'and the 'only' way to go.
Your batteries can't handle the extra draw from fans , sound , lights and smoke ?
I don't have to justify my set up, it works without any hassle for me.
Seems that there is one consistant other that always jumps in to justify and try to sell his set up though.
Bud[8D]

[cabbage]

David,

I just drop a new SLA into the loco put it on the track, flick the switch and watch it run. My (now) 5 year old son can do the same. Top speed for freight locos 8 kph, passenger locos 25kph (scale)

I can watch the trains go around my track while I weed or relax with a mug of tea.

regards

ralph

[Curmudgeon]

or, like one guy, put 22 volts on the track and clean 1200 feet in 10 minutes at warp factor 3.

We just start out and operate.

Hard to comprehend all the hoops the track power folks jump through to justify what they do....

Clamps, bonds, feeders, track cleaners, 15A power supplies, power districts, even cooling fans.
Hilarious.

TOC

[grandpopswalt]

On-board Train Engineer and batteries. Pretty much the same as DCC except you don't have to clean the track and worry about rail joints.

Walt

[vsmith]

LGB pack run thru a Basic Train Engineer controller, works for me[;)]

[Train 284]

Well Stated!

[Anonymous]

Digitrax DCC. Works good. The only problem I've had has been the controller getting hot and shuting down. Put a fan blowing on the controller to keep it cooler and it works great now. I run a track cleaning car around the track a few times before I run anything else and have had no problems with dirty track. I figure that's prototypical anyway. The real railroads always have the Mow and inspection cars run the track before the regular trains run to make sure everything is ok, so why not with the model trains, too?

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gregeusa

So, I am the lone DCC guy. I love it, and it's simpler than people think. So much fun to mu/doublehead any locos together.

Greg

No you're not, I just keep a low profile.[}:)][:D][:D][:D][}:)][;)]

[kstrong]

Well, technically Live Steam and Battery-R/C, but since we had to choose only one, I opted for the more prevalent form of propulsion. Haven't used electrons throgh the rails since 1984, and haven't missed it one bit. I'd much rather rewire a locomotive than clean track. (but that's just my opinion.)

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

So, I am the lone DCC guy. I love it, and it's simpler than people think. So much fun to mu/doublehead any locos together.

Greg

[Anonymous]

TRACK POWER ,with a T E ben

[Curmudgeon]

Removed the fun element, huh?
We run for 7 hours in wayfreight ops, more fun than you can legally have anywhere.
Turn the switch on and let them run in circles?
That's fun?

Okay, whatever floats your boat.
I ripped out track power 11-1/2 years ago, everyone around here has just about done the same.

UK....well, maybe so.
After all, everything fun is illegal there now, right?

TOC