Controller

[berryr99]

Good evening,

Blaenau North is gradually progressing and its time to think about a controller for it. I already have a cased Gaugemaster controller of uncertain vintage but I was thinking about a panel mounted one to go into my proposed removeable panel box.

I really need DC twin track output together with an AC supply for accessories and also to attach a walkabout controller as well.

Looked at Guagemaster site but could not really see what I wanted, I was wondering if anyone could suggest a suitable controller

Thanks

Bob Berry

[MickT]

To meet the spec you want with a Gaugemaster product a Model D will provide you with it all in one box: 2 x DC controllers plus the AC output. However as far as I know if you really have to have a panel mounted one, then the UD provides the controller equivalent and the UDF the same but with feedback, but you will also need a separate tranformer (Gaugemaster also have these) to provide the 16v AC to power the twin controllers and also the uncontrolled AC for accessories.

If you check their controllers and transformers on their website and click on the "more" and "technical detail" links for each they will provide all the information you seek and allow you to compare their different products. If still in doubt, their staff are very helpful and would no doubt give you good guidance over the phone for which of their products match your requirement.

Hope you find what you are looking for!
Mick

[B.Meldon]

The Gaugemaster panel mounted controllers do not come with a transformer and if you go for the feedback controllers you will need one transformer for each controller.

There is also a nasty fault with the Gaugemaster hand held controllers that can put 240v in to the unplugged mains plug of the transformer when a loco accidentally bridges a section gap to another controller that is plugged in and in use! (I kid you not!). This is not mentioned in the instructions for the panel mounted controllers, but as they may well have the same circuit design I think you may find the same problem.

See these Gaugemaster instructions for a warning about this problem:

http://www.gaugemaster.com/instructions/combi.pdf

http://www.gaugemaster.com/instructions/100m.pdf

http://www.gaugemaster.com/instructions/df.pdf

There is also the Pictroller. They do a panel mounted version:

http://finneyandsmith.co.uk/finneyandsmith/controllers.html

But again you will need a transformer.

I can not off hand think of any others that are available new any more.

Brian Meldon

[Hugh Norwood]

You coudl always make your own....

[Hugh Norwood]

There is also a nasty fault with the Gaugemaster hand held controllers that can put 240v in to the unplugged mains plug of the transformer when a loco accidentally bridges a section gap to another controller that is plugged in and in use! (I kid you not!).

You know, looking at the documentation, I think this actually refers to what would happen if you connected the 16Vac output from one controller into the 16Vac output of the second. In that case, then yes, you would have the second transformer working on reverse and producing mains voltage on its plug if it was unconnected....

[berryr99]

Gents,

Thanks for the comments - I'm still looking at all the options but will have to decide soon if its to be a panel mounted controller - I had not realised that a separate transformer would be needed and that's an additional complication to be factored in

Bob B.

[Graeme Dunbar]

A separate transformer is not necessarily a bad thing. If you are exhibiting it is increasingly likely that the venue will insist on PAT testing of mains equipment. Having separate "wall wart", "brick" or other cased mains transformers or power supplies can make this a lot simpler and quicker. Mains equipment boxed up or behind panels on a layout makes things a lot harder and you may be asked to dismantle it.

[B.Meldon]

There is also a nasty fault with the Gaugemaster hand held controllers that can put 240v in to the unplugged mains plug of the transformer when a loco accidentally bridges a section gap to another controller that is plugged in and in use! (I kid you not!).

You know, looking at the documentation, I think this actually refers to what would happen if you connected the 16Vac output from one controller into the 16Vac output of the second. In that case, then yes, you would have the second transformer working on reverse and producing mains voltage on its plug if it was unconnected....

I think you may well find that it also happens when the track outputs from two or more controllers are connected in parallel.
But I have not put it to the test myself!

But I do agree that connecting the 16vAC outputs would have the same, or probably worse, effect.

Brian Meldon

[Hugh Norwood]

Well, Brian, if you're willing to lend me a couple of Gaugemaster units, I'll be happy test them for you. Otherwise I think it's only the ac outputs that the warning is about.

[Graeme Dunbar]

Here's a review of DC controllers, though mostly of historical interest I guess.
http://www.scottpages.net/ReviewOfControllers.html

[Elmgate]

Well, Brian, if you're willing to lend me a couple of Gaugemaster units, I'll be happy test them for you. Otherwise I think it's only the ac outputs that the warning is about.

I think that I agree with Hugh, although there is a technical possibility that ANY two controlled outputs, if connected together, might send a pulse of power back through the transformers and energise an unplugged transformer mains pin. Therefore, this is not a fault with Gaugemaster, but a feature of using pulsed power. In this Safety orientated day, Gaugemaster cannot risk not giving a warning, however remote the possibility!

[tedp]

If you are familiar with mains wiring you can build your own power unit. I think the way to go is having a separate transformer for each controller and another one for auxiliary use, with the primary windings wired in parallel and switched off together. If you have a transformer with separate secondary windings that will be equal to separate transformers.

I made up a plastic power box with three transformers and a mains fuse next to the mains power switch. Each transformer has its own purpose, two feeding a controller and the third providing auxiliary power.

The transformers are bolted to the bottom of the power box and the lid is screwed on. All internal wiring is soldered to the transformer terminals and the mains and 12/15V leads are kept apart. The walkaround controllers (KPCs) plug into the box using DIN plugs. The auxiliary and the output from each controller is fed into an output lead connected to the layout with a small D plug (the type formerly used for printers).

[tat2drod]

&deity I am so glad I've just grabbed the old battery powered Hornby controllers for use on the "herrineringsbaan" for the brother-in-law. (Mutter mutter... can't do anything these days... even crossing the road to catch that blasted chicken is getting problematical... mumble grumble.)

[gallopingalice]

I recently acquired a pair of GaugeMaster model 100 panel mount controllers. They look to be the same design as COMBI and model W, simple and effective.

They can all be modified to run off DC as I have recently done. The 20v or so, dc comes from an ex-laptop SMPSU, or a new wallwart from Maplins, say.

I can't think of any accessory that wont run off DC, tho' that's a guess.

DC all round helps if you fancy exploring the world of electronics, and focuses any certification issues to your nice tidy wall wart, which is nicely tucked well away from your layout.

Regards richard