06-21-2011, 03:59 PM
[/quote]
I used to have a similar controller, I build 'back in the day' from a schematic published in a dutch model railway magazine 'Railhobby'. I think it was a 1986 issue (yep, that long ago). It also uses the pulse principle, but unlike other controllers in it's day, the pulse strength (amplitude) did not vary, it was the pulse density, going from narrow pulses, to wider (and more frequent) until ultimately joining to getter as a DC signal.
I also managed to get some ridiculous low speeds with some Roco engines at the time.( after they were run in and warmed up :-) ) We used to place a ruler along the track, and then started to move a loco, as soon as we saw the wheels were turning, we'd taken note of the time, and then sat back and see how long it would take to move 1 meter.
In the end we went for a cup of tea and came back to the train room, finding the loco had only progressed about two thirds of that distance in 15 minutes or so. I remember calculating it back to a silly slow speed. 0.2KM per hour or so, which is approx 0.13mph If my calculations/conversions are correct.
Not bad for a home bake controller. I still have it somewhere in an obscure shoe box :-)
Koos[/quote]
An electronic wizard, hey Koos? Wish I'd known sooner
Must be very satisfying to have built your own controller; and in 1986 too. This must make you a pioneer in the field!!!
Best wishes,
Jonte
PS......did my description of the backscene match the photos? Jonte
I used to have a similar controller, I build 'back in the day' from a schematic published in a dutch model railway magazine 'Railhobby'. I think it was a 1986 issue (yep, that long ago). It also uses the pulse principle, but unlike other controllers in it's day, the pulse strength (amplitude) did not vary, it was the pulse density, going from narrow pulses, to wider (and more frequent) until ultimately joining to getter as a DC signal.
I also managed to get some ridiculous low speeds with some Roco engines at the time.( after they were run in and warmed up :-) ) We used to place a ruler along the track, and then started to move a loco, as soon as we saw the wheels were turning, we'd taken note of the time, and then sat back and see how long it would take to move 1 meter.
In the end we went for a cup of tea and came back to the train room, finding the loco had only progressed about two thirds of that distance in 15 minutes or so. I remember calculating it back to a silly slow speed. 0.2KM per hour or so, which is approx 0.13mph If my calculations/conversions are correct.
Not bad for a home bake controller. I still have it somewhere in an obscure shoe box :-)
Koos[/quote]
An electronic wizard, hey Koos? Wish I'd known sooner
Must be very satisfying to have built your own controller; and in 1986 too. This must make you a pioneer in the field!!!
Best wishes,
Jonte
PS......did my description of the backscene match the photos? Jonte