One Handed Throttle

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Why can’t some one make a true one handed throttle ?

Yes I know that The DT400 is close but with just a few minor changes

it could be so much better

For some reason the Mfgs can’t seem to lose the big dial in the middle

I sent this Very Crude drawing to 4 different companys With little responce.

If the controls were on the side of the throttle it would be so much easier to operate

with one hand which would make it easier to couple and uncouple cars

.

2

Digitrax UT is very close. I run it one handed all the time.

3

Terry,

For some folks, the throttle you want is exacty the form factor needed. For others, they want all of the function(consisting/switch controls/etc and a big LCD readout), with a nice big ‘dial’ type of control. Keep asking the DCC companies…

Jim

4

I use to use my UT2 one handed…It takes pratice…I can also use my MRC walk around controller one handed…I had to learn how to do that after I lost the use of my right hand…While I have regain limited use of my right hand I still need to use one hand…I fully agree that a true one handed throttle is needed.

5

Yes i too use my throttle one handed but it’s awkward and as you say you need practice

it would be nice if they could offer both

A big one with all functions and a small one for switching

6

I use my Lenz Dispatcher’s throttle one-handed all the time, sometimes without even looking at it. It’s got big buttons. It only controls one engine at a time, but that’s fine with me. This one is an all-pushbutton throttle. I seldom use the Engineer’s throttle, which has an analog wheel, fewer buttons and a much more confusing user interface.

7

MisterBeasley,

FYI

I too use my LI-100 dispatchers throttle with one hand. Works great.

But it does handle two Loco’s by just pressing ESC to toggle between them.

I use my LI-90 for yard work because it has a 3 position toggle switch: Forward, Stop, Reverse.

8

I use my NCE Cab04s one handed all the time. Side of the thumb on the knob and fwd-rvrs buttons also with the thumb. If the cab’s in yard mode, you don’t even need the forward/reverse buttons.

9

I use the CVP wireless throttles one handed all the time.

I like the big dial in the middle. That is what allows me to use my thumb to control the speed (and direction depending on the throttle type).

Despite what I said above, I agree. One specifically designed for one hand would be great. Wouldn’t they have to make two though? On for righties and one for lefties? Actually there isn’t that much to a throttle, why don’t you whip up a mock up and go to one of those enterpenurial websites to see if they will fund its development.

10

Well i thought you could use it one way for right handed then just turn it upside down for left

or vice versa which ever is comfortable or should i say just roll it over

11

I use my DT400 one-handed all the time. And if you are left-handed, just assign the loco to the other knob. Thumb scroll the knob and click for reversing. Keeps a hand free to use skewers to uncouple.

–Randy

12

MOST ‘Tethered’ throttles ARE one-handed. (The discontinued RIX comes to mind). Most cost more than ‘single’ chassis unit’s with the ‘engineer’s’ knob.

Some ‘tethered’ units are still available from small manufacturers. MRC currently only offers ‘hand-held’ witheir top-of-the-line.

http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=1264

13

Back in the dark ages, as part of his MZL system, the late Ed Ravenscroft used Varney slot car controllers for plug-in switching throttles. That was about as one-handed as was available at the time.

Now you’ve got me thinking. Of course, panel-mounted locomotive controllers are one handed - but suggesting their use in this day of hand-helds borders on heresy!

Chuck (heretic still running analog DC, MZL control system)

14

Well my point was that with the controls on the side it would much more comfortable

and easier to operate one handed < there’s a word for that

We make due with what’s available rather than asking for changes

15

Here’s a thought, and it could be darn near universal, too. The new mouse I just got from Logitech also functions as a handheld remote control for media software. As such is has an extended radio range compared to the usual cordless mouse. One-handed, it is easy to scroll the wheel, click the wheel, click at least the normal left and right buttons, and tilt the wheel. Left or right-handed - I just tried it left handed (I am right handed) and it was just as natural feeling. Now, map the mouse buttons to a JMRI throttle and bingo, wireless hand-held controller for any DCC system supported by JMRI. A little additional work with JMRI and you could have it so a mouse button would activate the address area and you could select and deselect locos.

–Randy

16

Here is a link for making a one handed trottle for use with the Zephyr’s jump ports. I know it’s not a universal solution for all systems, but there are a lot of Zephyrs out there.

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/zephyr-cab.htm

HD

17

Whoo Hoo !!

Now that is a true one handed throttle

18

Glad to be of help. Now C&O Fan, you just have to promise me that if you do build one, that you will take lots of pictures and do a tutorial on how you put it together I don’t have the electrical background to begin to build one myself, no matter how much I’d like one.

HD

19

LOL My electrical skills are too lacking to attempt it

That’s why they call me Sparky