I am undecided upon a location for the control panel on my new around-the-wall layout, so I am considering a tethered handheld throttle. Apparently there are a lot of units available. Any opinions about the MRC ControlMaster 20? Other units I should look at?
Try this outfit: http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/
I bought one of their throttles with memory (you can unplug to move to another throttle socket and the train continues to run at last voltage) and momentum. Has two settings for varying the pulse width, which are also adjustable. Been rock solid for about 10 years now.
I also used to operate on a railroad that had several GML throttles.
George V.
I’ve been using my Controlmaster 20 for about seven years now. Extremely versatile, it can be used with up to a 25 foot tethered cord or socket plug-ins. I like it a lot. I’ve got a fairly extensive garage layout (24x24’) and the tethered cord gives me access to everything. And it’s got PLENTY of power. Also a dual-mode voltage output to match the scale in which you’re modeling.
Tom [:D]
When I used DC, I had a pair of MRC CM20 walk around units. Lots of power, very nice throttles The ‘memory’ freature that allow one to unplug and walk to another location is nice,. One guy had a problem with the reversing relay contacts ‘tacking’ on him, but he was the kind of operator that reversed trains at full power!
Jim
I also heartily endorse the CM20, if you can scratch up the funds. A lower-cost handheld is here:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/851.HTM
I bought one of these but messed up the installation somehow and set it aside, and never got around to debugging my work.
Jim
[:-^]
Count me in as well. I’m a firm believer. I am staying with DC. and the LM&E uses three Control Master 20s. I bought them off of E-bay and got them for a total less than $300.00. Up here retail is over $300.00 a piece.
I have two of the older ones with cooling fans and on newer ones without the fan. The controllers are not interchangeable. Meaning the ones with fans are, but from the newer one (no fan) to the older ones if the controllers are exchanged you virtually loose control and the train won’t move or takes off at an extreme rate of speed and you are helpless other than killing the power. But when everything is where it belongs, the controller with the power pack it came with, everything works super smooth.
I give them [tup][tup] UP.
Johnboy out…
May the Rails never be Silent.
I own one of these and love it
It is one of the smoothest operating throttles i’ve ever used
My layout is set up to run either DC or DCC
Because I have lots of older locos that aren’t worth converting
and this throttle makes them run smoother than any I’ve ever used
I’ve been using one of these Ken Stapleton units for years. It’s great!
Am I correct in assuming thatwith the CM20 I could use a four-wire telephone extension cable – plug one end in the unit and the other end to a plug-in socket anywhere on the layout [20’ at most], and then plug the handheld unit into that socket?
Hi!
I just demo’d my HO layout of 15 years, and am building a replacement. The old one ran off of two MRC Controlmaster 20s - each with two throttles. I can not say enough about the CMs - they are terrific!
I typically run a couple of Stewart ABBA F unit consists - all powered. The CMs easily powered anything I could put on the track - and I NEVER had a problem of any kind with them.
The throttles are the most comfortable ones I have been around, and by putting a couple of outlets around the layout you could easily move about with them.
I am often reluctant to say something in the hobby is “the best” (or worst for that matter), but I strongly feel that the CM20 is “the best” if you are in DC and have need for the power!
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
Yep, that’s it. I used a wall plug so I could tie in a second plug on the other end of the layout.