DC walk around power

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m in the market for a new power supply, and was wondering what are some suggestions on walk around (preferably cordless) throttle controls with power supply, and with momentum control, and other useful features. Sound is of no major concern to me as I have no sound equipped locos. I’ll be running only the main lines, and most likely up to four locomotives at once (not on seperate blocks), so it needs plenty of power.

2

The Crest radio throttle (older versions are Aristocraft) is a good reliable performer. Availability can be intermittent, as new shipments tend to sell out, then you wait until the next container hits shore. They’re pretty bulletproof and tend to hold their value. I used mine as an alternate cab on my old DC system (normally ran MRC CM20, so Crest offered a wireless option). After I completed conversion to DCC, I sold mine a couple of years back and got nearly $200 for it IIRC. List is somewhere around upper $200, but may have inched over $300 when I wasn’t looking. I was just holding it for when my large scale stuff gets back in action. Now it looks like it will be a radio decoder w/ onboard battery conversion when it happens, so no longer needed the Crest.

A couple of threads here:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/47612.aspx

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/213422.aspx

ATLANTIC CENTRAL uses them IIRC and there are others. Nothing else mass market comes close really.

3

Here is the info on the current Crest products - all completely revisedand able to be used as a trackside system or an onboard system in larger scales.

An onboard system in HO has just been added.

http://shop.crest-electronics.net/main.sc

I use their older system in trackside form - very nice - and can still beforund on Ebay from time to time.

Sheldon

4

Sheldon,

Thanks for providing a current link[Y]

5

Here’s another option, although it’s not cordless. You provide your own power supply, either AC or DC - I use a Controlmaster 20 for mine, and have run over a dozen locos at a time.

stapletonpwmthrottle

Wayne

6

Hi Wayne

I was thinking about ordering one of his walk around throttles, I was going to before and forgot all about it.

They don’t do any harm to loco motors or power packs right?

7

No, they’re perfectly safe for both open frame and can motors. The power they supply is the same type available with DCC, so speed control is excellent throughout the throttle’s range. Some locos do produce a bit of noise at low speeds, but no other adverse affects. I got mine directly from Ken, who’s located not too far from me, and he stands behind his products, which are very well-made.

Wayne

8

Thanks Wayne

he is not too far from me either, about a hour or so from my place.

9

I use the MRC Tech 6, which is a corded walk around System. It functions as both a DC power supply or a rudimentary DCC system.

10

I have tried two times to email him about the throttle control, I still have yet to hear from him however. I’d otherwise be very interested in getting it and trying to figure out how to wire it up. Thank all you guys for your responses. I haven’t quite figured out which unit I’d need from Crest