walk around throttles for dc

[train298]

Dos anyone have a blue print for a hand held dc throttles? I wood like to make some.

I wood like go with dcc but can not aford.

[Johnnny_reb]

Question #1 What power supply do you have?

Question #2 What kind of power supply are you planning to buy?

Question #3 Is it "DC" or "DCC"?

[MisterBeasley]

Do you really, really like building things like that?

If so, great.  I applaud your efforts, sincerely.  It's a great skill to have, and you can learn a lot from the effort.

But, are you actually more interested in running trains?  If so, you might want to consider buying a DCC system with a walk-around throttle.  You will get a far better control system, and the kind of throttle you can only dream of building.

[el-capitan]

I can't tell you how to build them but I have been using GML dc throttles and they work great. You can order online at:

 

http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/

 

[fwright]

There have been a variety of suitable circuits published in Model Railroader in past decades.  Some have been very simple, some very complex.  Many were also published in the Kalmbach books on electronic projects for model railroaders.  Biggest issue is that components listed are no longer readily available.  I built one of the simple circuits (Darlington power transistor), used a Radio Shack project case that was a good size to hold in my hand, and installed the throttle in the case.  I used telephone coiled head set wire with a 4 pole square jack I found at Radio Shack.  Power supply was an AHM train set power pack with a broken rheostat that I installed under the benchwork.  The throttle worked well; I still own and use it.

Some more up to date circuits are at http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/Throttles.html#3 and http://www.awrr.com/throttle.html.

Almost any DC throttle can be made into a handheld, provided the case can hold all the circuitry and the controls, and the components don't get too hot.  Usually, the DC power supply is left under the layout to avoid the heat, weight, and size of the transformer and rectifier.

Some things to think about before choosing a particular circuit/throttle:

• do I want to have the throttle only in my hand, or do I want 2 throttles in one with one fixed and one handheld (still serving as only one power pack)?  I just used a straight handheld.
  
• what do I want to happen when I unplug the handheld?  Or is the handheld to be left plugged in whenever using the throttle?  I chose the latter - a decent length telephone headset cable length jacked in centrally was sufficient to reach everywhere on my small layout.
• do I want multiple handheld throttles?  How will I ensure that each throttle gets plugged into a correct jack?  How do I prevent cables getting tangled?
  
• what features - momentum, max/min voltage, pulse width and control - do I want besides the basic throttle and direction on the handheld?

As another poster pointed out, all this is already done for you with a DCC handheld throttle.  You just pay the money.  That said, I'm still using my basic DC handheld which would probably cost less than $15 for parts even today (even at Radio Shark, if they still have any parts).

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W 

[UpNorth]

He  states, clearly,  he can not afford DCC. 

Ah!... The Kalmbach "Electronic projects for model railroaders". That brought back memories from (grrmph) years ago. Built a few of those throttles (pulse and momentum) and then built the sound system they showed. Great fun running around for the parts, like the double stacked pots and coil/chokes, making the printed circuit boards.  It all worked like a charm. I still use one of the 3 amp  power supplies on my DCC layout, still going strong.

It was  great fun to build this stuff yourself back then. The Kalmbach books walked you right thru the construction. The current circuit designs require you have some knowledge.  If your asking for blueprints, you must be ok with that.

[Mailman56701]

  Fwiw, you'll find that for about the price of some dc walk-around throttles, you can get a starter dcc system.

[UpNorth]

For about $20.00 and your time you run trains.  DCC is great, but you must factor in the added  cost of purchasing and installing decoders in all your engines, be it 1, 2 or 5. 

If you're on a tight budget, DC is still the best buy.

[Mailman56701]

For about $20.00 and your time you run trains.  DCC is great, but you must factor in the added  cost of purchasing and installing decoders in all your engines, be it 1, 2 or 5. 

If you're on a tight budget, DC is still the best buy.

Again, depends on what you're comparing, as to which is "better" for the budget.  If one is comparing a memory walk-around dc throttle, then again, the price for one of those is comparable to a starter dcc system.  

  If one is comparing a non-memory walk-around dc throttle, then yes, those are cheaper than a starter dcc system.  But they also are not as functional, hence the lesser cost.

  Depends on what a person wants their throttle to do.

[Alantrains]

I recently built the cooler crawler from an article here http://users.rcn.com/weyand/tractronics/articles/ccartcl/ccartcl.htm

I'm very happy with it and it cost less than a couple of decoders.

cheers 

[steamfreightboy]

  Fwiw, you'll find that for about the price of some dc walk-around throttles, you can get a starter dcc system.

I have saved for a DCC system and I live with my parents and earn $7 a month

[Mailman56701]

  Fwiw, you'll find that for about the price of some dc walk-around throttles, you can get a starter dcc system.

I have saved for a DCC system and I live with my parents and earn $7 a month

  Np, just relaying some info; you'll have fun either way !