Old controllers, new loco's = problem?

[Trevor James]

Having just returned to modelling after 50 years I got out my old controllers an H & M Clipper with a controlled 12v D.C. output plus 12v D.C. and 16v A.C. uncontrolled output, maximym output 1 amp. and a Tri-ang P.4 controller output 12v D.C. continuous rating 1 amp. In OO9 News I have read warnings that old controllers and nieuwe loco motors are not compatible but the local model shop guy here in Utrecht says there should be no problem. I have a Bachmann Baldwin on order and a CWR body waiting to be fitted to a Kato chassis.
Can anyone advise me on this? And should the verdicht be that the controllers are not suitable is there a way to modify?

[Elmgate]

I would say that there is no assurance that these old style controllers will not possibly damage modern small motors. They use a resistance in series with the motor to reduce the current, but with the small currents drawn by latest motors, they are neither successful in reducing speed, nor regulating current.

There is no practical way to modify the controllers themselves; however, the uncontrolled outputs from the H&M may be used to power a modern "hand-held" controller. There have been endless dicussions on this forum, and others, about the very best controllers to choose! :) In my opinion, for starters the Gaugemaster range - I use ones based on the type W (http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GMC-W&style=&strType=&Mcode=Gaugemaster+W) would be satisfactory.

[rod335]

Whilst it is not axiomatic that 'old' controllers will damage modern motors, undoubtedly they will not give you anywhere near the degree of slow running the modern locos are capable of and that we have come to expect. You can buy a Gaugemaster Combi for under

[Hobby]

Agree with the others, sell on your old controllers and buy something decent, of the commercial "rtr" ones the Gaugemaster W seems to be the best all rounder. You could keep the clipper and use the 16vAC output to power the W, save having to buy an 16vAC transformer!

[B.Meldon]

I agree with the others. Sell the old controllers and get a Gaugemaster W or Combi.

[Steve Facknell]

Do have a look at Morley controllers, I have a Vector and for seventy five pounds you get twin track control plus two handheld controllers plus the master has a built in CDU.
Excellent value and we'll made.

[MickT]

Do have a look at Morley controllers, I have a Vector and for seventy five pounds you get twin track control plus two handheld controllers plus the master has a built in CDU.
Excellent value and we'll made.

I'll endorse that! I bought one of these a few years ago when they were

[cp.409067]

*

I have no experience of Morley controllers and therefore would not wish to disagree with Mick Thornton. However, it would be wise to be aware that they have combined speed and direction knob. Many of us with experience of exhibition running prefer the type where these two functions are separate

[Trevor James]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[B.Meldon]

Do have a look at Morley controllers, I have a Vector and for seventy five pounds you get twin track control plus two handheld controllers plus the master has a built in CDU.
Excellent value and we'll made.

I also prefer a centre off direction switch to a bi-directional speed control knob.

Also

[MickT]

Christopher and Brian are quite right regarding the direction switching etc. I dug my Morley out last night to ensure that I had given the correct description of its facilites - I had! However I had indeed failed to point out that on both the twin console control knobs and the handhelds that come with it, the knob travels through about 270 degrees with the centre off position at the top of the arc, but there is no physical notch to stop it, it just rotates through from one side to the other with the direction changing as it passes the top "0" position.

I don't think this would be a problem for home use if you have one eye on the controller as you move your train/trains around but do acknowledge that it could be a bit tiresome using the handhelds "by feel" as you can't tell by feel alone where the knob position is. Taking that into consideration however, for the current price of around

[Hobby]

TBH I keep hearing of these other controllers but have yet to find one that controls the large variety of chassis (old right through to new) any better than my Gaugemaster W, or as cheaply, bearing in mind that guarantee... Mine has broken once (ask Julien and Charlie - I wasn't there when it went puff!) and was fixed free of charge even though I told them that I bought it secondhand and is now controlling my TTe stuff better than any of the dedicated Z controllers!

[Sioned Arrowsmith]

The current Morley does have a definite "click" at the centre off position on both the main unit and the hand-helds -- this seems to me to be better than separate switch which runs the risk of sudden accidental changes of direction, but clearly more experienced hands disagree! It claims to do common return, but that's not something I've tested -- the biggest plus points for it for me are the light and compact "all-in-one" nature of it.

[Hobby]

this seems to me to be better than separate switch which runs the risk of sudden accidental changes of direction, but clearly more experienced hands disagree!

It's more about what you are used to... Most of us older modellers (yes, Mick, I put myself amongst those now I've turned 60!! ;) ) were brought up on the HD and Triang "centre off" type of controller where the centre off was very "solid", if that's the right word. I've got used to the separate switch with a "forward - off - reverse" switch now and found i actually prefer it now, but that's just my preference. I can't see how you would switch the slider switch "accidentally" as it's nowhere near the knob where your finger would be, it would be easier to do it on a "centre off" knob controller than on a W for instance, especially if the centre off wasn't very pronounced...

I'd suggest Trevor tries a few before buying to see which he prefers?

[Hugh Norwood]

I'd suggest Trevor tries a few before buying to see which he prefers?

Good idea! Where are you situated, Trevor? Why not drop in to a members' day or show and have  a chat with the operators. I'm sure they would let you try their controllers. I would (but then mine are home-made so outside the scope of this thread)