Choosing a RC System for a HGLW Steeplecab

[TF44]

I've been mulling this over for a week or two. I will be purchasing a HGLW Steeplecab kit as my first kit build locomotive in a few weeks and as I wanted to have Shunting/Timetabled operations, RC is a must but I've unsure which option to go down because I would prefer sound.

Option 1: Fit a Locoremote Mini B unit powered by 3.7V Lipo rechargeable battery (preferred option due to being compatible with HGLW kits although due to space it would lack sound)

Option 2: RCtrains or Fosworks RC for sound but I would need more information

Looking for advice and opinions on this.

[Durley]

As another option, I suggest considering the Hornby HM7000 DCC Bluetooth sound chips. I have successfully used these to control smaller locos, powered from an onboard battery. They are controlled from a free app downloaded on a smartphone/tablet and come with a speaker. Sound files are freely downloadable and cover a range of diesel, electric and steam loco sounds, reflecting Hornby’s range of RTR locos. Being designed for OO gauge locos, they should easily fit a smaller garden loco. They need from around 7 volts to run the sound, so can be used with a 2s or higher cell count LiPo. Maximum vintage is about 18 volts. You might need to change the HGLW motor for a higher voltage version, maybe a 12v motor with a 3s LiPo, but these are cheap motors (R140 type I think) so shouldn’t be a major issue. The chip is limited to around 1.5amp peak current draw for the motor. At around £65 for the chip, this is the cheapest way I have found to get good quality sound and remote control in a smaller loco. You could also run lights and other functions from the chip, controlled from the app.

https://uk.hornby.com/products/hm7000-8 ... kzgt3X-Hjn

Video of an o gauge chassis using this setup as an example. This is the Class 08 sound file.



…and the same setup in my unfinished quarry Hunslet



…and onboard in an LGB Stainz



Having looked at the Fosworks setup before, I came to the conclusion that the cost was too high for a smaller loco as it needs a transmitter, receiver and a DCC chip with a sound file all of which works out at over £200 depending on the specific setup and sound file chosen. The Fosworks setup however does have the advantage of a wider choice of DCC sound files and less restrictive motor voltage/current limits.

[SimonWood]

I don't do sound, so this is probably of limited usefulness to your scenario - but I have an HGLW LB1, same chassis I think, I fitted it with an RCTrains Deltang Rx65C receiver and I changed the battery to a Li-ion 18650 to give me enough juice to keep it happy. It's worked well for me, but like I say, I'm not after sound, and I didn't want to use my phone to control it preferring a dedicated, tactile controller (a Tx24 in my case).

[philipy]

I use Deltang and since their demise, Micron R/c from RC Trains. Phil P ( Mr RC Trains) of this forum is very helpful if you need to ask questions.( So also is Mr Micron himself)
I have played around with sound in some loco's but actually very rarely switch have it on when running. It's either too loud and obtrusive in the garden setting or else its too quiet to be worth bothering with (IMO of course).

[ge_rik]

As it happens, I recently modified a HGLW steeple cab loco into something vaguely resembling a Gmeinder diesel loco
See - https://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2024/0 ... -loco.html

As you can see, I used a Micron (RC Trains) receiver and a cheap (c£5 GBP) Chinese soundcard from AliExpress. I reprogrammed the receiver to give a servo output needed by the soundcard, but you can specify you want a servo output when you order the receiver from Phil (or directly from Andy at Micron)

You'll also need to buy a transmitter of course which you won't need if you go down the Bluetooth/ phone control route.

BTW - There are another couple of recent posts about small diesels on my blog.

Rik

[TF44]

Thanks Everyone, I think I will go with the Micron/RCTrains with a physical transmitter like some of the other locos I'm planning, however I would need a specific list of products to purchase. I would prefer using a RCT-Tx10 for the transmitter as it's reasonably priced and is recommend.

[ge_rik]

Thanks Everyone, I think I will go with the Micron/RCTrains with a physical transmitter like some of the other locos I'm planning, however I would need a specific list of products to purchase. I would prefer using a RCT-Tx10 for the transmitter as it's reasonably priced and is recommend.

You'll need:

• Tx10 transmitter
• MR603 receiver
• Batteries - if you're a beginner, it's probably better to go with a 3 x NiMh AA cells pack from Strikalite
• A charger (from Strikalite)
• A wiring loom (Phil will advise)
• A soundcard (I think Phil has some of the Chinese diesel cards)

That should get you started

Rik

[Durley]

If you are planning other locos then the TX-22 might be worth the extra outlay? You’d then be able to control up to 12 locos from one transmitter. Unless you specifically want one transmitter per loco?

The selecta dial on the TX-22 allows you to choose which loco is under direct control and other locos can either be set to keep running at their current speed/direction or stop running when control is changed to another loco. Allows you to have one or more locos on a continuous run whilst shunting with another loco for instance.

[Phil.P]

Hello, did someone mention my name?

Three (or four) NiMH cells, you would be better with the RCT-MR601 :
2.7 - 13 Volts, up-to 1.2A continuous.

The 'RCT' MR603 receivers, have different default configurations to those supplied directly from Micron. - These mimic what the Rx65 provided, plus additional (train-related) features.
One of which, is a servo output on Pin6, in all the configurations.

Phil Partridge.