I've just returned to Model railways after a 20-ish year break and decided on OO9.
I am building a starter layout of a simple oval with a passing loop and two, or three, sidings.
I have found my old H&M Clipper controller which was working 20 years ago when I put it away. Is it suitable to use with modern motors? My first loco is to be powered by a new Kato 11-109.
Thanks for any advice.
If memory serves it is one of the old 'rheostat' designs so speed control is likely to be disappointing compared to newer controllers.
It will probably work them as long as you are careful with the power and your use of the "wave" and "resistance" functions which could affect a newer motor, but quite honestly analogue (DC) controller technology has come on so much over the years since that was made I feel you'd be better off spending a few quid and buying a more up to date one. You can still use the Clipper as the source of power for your new controller as it has a 16vAC output which is fine for most hand held units like the Gaugemaster W (substitute other makes as required!).
There are several threads on the NGRM forum about comparing modern controllers, best to read them before making your mind up, but as with all such comparison threads people tend to recommend their favourite! Personally mine is the GM W (or Combi which is similar), but others don't agree!
Quote from: Derek Clark on January 03, 2021, 11:34I have found my old H&M Clipper controller which was working 20 years ago when I put it away. Is it suitable to use with modern motors?
Funnily enough a quick search on here reveals this thread, perhaps worth a read to stop us going over old ground! ;)
https://www.009society.com/forum/index.php?topic=3653.0
Ah, I should have thought of doing a search! Thanks for the help it is much appreciated.
The bit about the 16vAC from the Clipper providing power: I have a Lenz TR 100/UK transformer which is 15vAC 3A max. output. Will that serve in place of the Clipper for a gauge master W controller?
Should be fine, I've used various sources for my Ws, I doubt the drop of 1v will make any difference to the control of the locos. we don't tend to use full power on narrow gauge anyhow, they aren't high speed trains!
Quote...they aren't high speed trains!
They seem to be in some of the available videos!
Quote from: Tom Haythornthwaite on January 03, 2021, 14:00
Quote...they aren't high speed trains!
They seem to be in some of the available videos!
and therein lies the search for the Holy Grail of controllers!
Thank you all.
At first I used an old H&M Powermaster for my layout, it worked quite well.
Later on, when my finances had recovered from buying track, locos and rolling stock, I replaced it with a Gaugemaster hand-held controller, powered from the H&M's 16V AC output, and it it gives much better control of locos than the Powermaster.
Quote from: GraemeD on January 03, 2021, 14:52
Quote from: Tom Haythornthwaite on January 03, 2021, 14:00
Quote...they aren't high speed trains!
They seem to be in some of the available videos!
and therein lies the search for the Holy Grail of controllers!
Or a steady hand and remembering this is narrow gauge, not standard gauge, and the trains don't usually go very fast unless you are modelling the Ziller!
This afternoon I have bought a 2nd hand Gaugemaster W from Rails of Sheffield.
I hope it is ok :)
Gaugemasters come with a lifetime guarantee.
And it works. I had one break at an exhibition and despite not having any reciept they repaired it for the cost of the postage. That is impressive after sales service.
Speaking only from experience & nothing to do with the fact I live only two miles from gaugemaster hq! I own two GM combi's, one powers my small (4ft x 2ft ) layout & the other I use for powering a yard of track, my wheel cleaning brushes & my rolling road on my work bench ( also know as the dining table ). I have experienced no problems with either unit for over ten years. 😊👏🙂
Quote from: hughn on January 03, 2021, 19:46
Gaugemasters come with a lifetime guarantee.
That is good to know.
As far as I know gaugemaster have always had a lifetime guarantee on their controllers.
Even older controllers are covered, provided the components are available.
I can well recall back in the 1980's before we changed to KPC's sending one after another back for repair, the most common fault was a dirty track on the speed control variable resister. This can easily be tested by turning the control up and down with no loco on the track. If the led flashes as the control is turned then it is dirty and needs to be sent back. (Very much like a noisy volume control on an old radio.)
There was never any quibble from gaugemaster and each one only cost us the postage to them.
But this happened so often at exhibitions we ended up having to take a spare controller with us to swap out when needed!
The KPS's were far more reliable, but eventually suffered from the same issue, but only after about 10 years or more use!
I've been using a Gaugemaster W for years and never had any trouble with it.
Mal.
Quote from: B.Meldon on January 05, 2021, 09:42
... the most common fault was a dirty track on the speed control variable resister. ...
This is not surprising; moving parts often fail before non-moving parts, and the potentiometer gets a lot of use (and consider that inside is a wire wiper moving across what is essentially a film of carbon printed onto a substrate). (Newer ones use conductive plastic rather than carbon). I would guess that the next thing to fail might well be the direction switch...
Quote from: hughn on January 05, 2021, 15:44
Quote from: B.Meldon on January 05, 2021, 09:42
... the most common fault was a dirty track on the speed control variable resister. ...
This is not surprising; moving parts often fail before non-moving parts, and the potentiometer gets a lot of use (and consider that inside is a wire wiper moving across what is essentially a film of carbon printed onto a substrate). (Newer ones use conductive plastic rather than carbon). I would guess that the next thing to fail might well be the direction switch...
I agree.
As mentioned the KPC's eventualy developed the same fault.
In these KPC's it was the damping silicone grease from the central piviot in the pot getting onto the carbon track that caused the problem.
When each one failed like this I just took them apart, disaseembled the pot, cleaned the carbon track and the contacts and put them back together again. None that I have repaired have caused problems again yet!
Obviously I have no idea if it was the same in the old Gaugemaster controllers as we just sent them back.
All are pannel mount controllers, the gaugemaster ones were the feedback type, and the KPC's full feedback.