itsmcgee
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:24
Send Message
 | | 03/29/2008 9:11 PM |
| | I use Aw and have been very happy with it so far. In the past I have used locolinc and TE. of the three I find the airwire to be the best all around. My grades are 2% or less and have no runaway problems with AW. I have no experience with RCS but would consider it worth a look. | | | |
|
jbwilcox
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:70
Send Message
| | 03/29/2008 11:23 PM |
| I have airwire, locolinc and RCS. All have their good points.
Airwire can be controlled from down the street which is a nice feature. However, I have found that if you have any grades in your track, then Airwire can be problematic. It will slow down on the uphill and surge on the down hill unless you constantly adjust the transmitter. I find that to be very troublesome, especially if I just want to run a train and forget about it.
RCS does not seem to have that problem. I can start my Shay and run it and it will run about the same speed both uphill and downhill. The problem with RCS is that there is very limited reception. You have to be within about 15 feet of the engine in order to control it. That may not be a problem to people who want to follow their trains around the layout. Actually, I do like RCS because I can set a speed and just about forget about it. I am having a Connie converted right now and I am hoping that it operates the same as the Shay. If so, I will be very happy with the RCS.
Locolinc was my original choice. It has probably the worst reception of them all. The main thing I do not like is that I also had Soundlinc installed in my engines and I am very unhappy with that sound system. The exception is the bell is just beautiful on the Soundlinc.
The airwire engine ( a Bachmann Annie) has Phoenix P5 installed and I really like the sound it produces.
The Shay (RCS) has Sierra Sound. It is okay, but not up to Phoenix standards in my opinion.
So, take it or leave it, these are just my opinions. I certainly do not consider myself to be an expert and you will probably get a lot of conflicting opinions from others. You get to make the decision.
John | | | |
|
jbwilcox
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:70
Send Message
| | 03/29/2008 11:23 PM |
| I have airwire, locolinc and RCS. All have their good points.
Airwire can be controlled from down the street which is a nice feature. However, I have found that if you have any grades in your track, then Airwire can be problematic. It will slow down on the uphill and surge on the down hill unless you constantly adjust the transmitter. I find that to be very troublesome, especially if I just want to run a train and forget about it.
RCS does not seem to have that problem. I can start my Shay and run it and it will run about the same speed both uphill and downhill. The problem with RCS is that there is very limited reception. You have to be within about 15 feet of the engine in order to control it. That may not be a problem to people who want to follow their trains around the layout. Actually, I do like RCS because I can set a speed and just about forget about it. I am having a Connie converted right now and I am hoping that it operates the same as the Shay. If so, I will be very happy with the RCS.
Locolinc was my original choice. It has probably the worst reception of them all. The main thing I do not like is that I also had Soundlinc installed in my engines and I am very unhappy with that sound system. The exception is the bell is just beautiful on the Soundlinc.
The airwire engine ( a Bachmann Annie) has Phoenix P5 installed and I really like the sound it produces.
The Shay (RCS) has Sierra Sound. It is okay, but not up to Phoenix standards in my opinion.
So, take it or leave it, these are just my opinions. I certainly do not consider myself to be an expert and you will probably get a lot of conflicting opinions from others. You get to make the decision.
John | | | |
|
jbwilcox
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:70
Send Message
| | 03/29/2008 11:40 PM |
| Actually, a clarification:
I do not have very steep grades on my layout but with the Airwire, unless I really started the engine going on the flat, it would sometimes come to a complete stop on the uphill and then surge to unrealistic speeds on the downhills.
I have since gone back and tried to eliminate the grades on the upper portion of my layout.
I do not understand why RCS does not have this problem and the Airwire does.
If someone can explain that, I would be greatful.
John | | | |
|
Bret W Tesson
Brakeman
Posts:35
Send Message
| | 03/30/2008 6:31 AM |
| | I too experienced the same problems with the Airwire. If you have any grades (2-3 percent), you just can't leave the throttle on a set speed for the reasons stated above. I recently tried the QSI g-wire receiver and their Aristo PnP soundcard/decoder. This setup utilizes the Airwire transmitter. This combination gives you fantastic range and the grade/curve problems I've seen with the airwire receiver go away. I believe the reason for this is that the g-wire utilizes BEMF. I'm not exactly sure what BEMF is, but apparently in monitors the engine's speed and varies power to the motor to maintain that speed. The result is pretty consistent speed around the layout. My Bachmann K now runs up the 3% grade at a realistic speed and comes back down the same way. It also goes through curves much smoother than the airwire. So far I really like this combination (and it's cheaper than adding an airwire receiver and phoenix card). It's also not without its problems either. I have a post on the DCC forum with questions and problems regarding this receiver (http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/forumid/34/postid/20748/view/topic/Default.aspx | | | |
|
Del Tapparo
1st Class Member
Fort Collins, Colorado
Foreman
Posts:132
Send Message
| | 03/30/2008 7:42 PM |
| Posted By jbwilcox on 03/29/2008 11:23 PM However, I have found that if you have any grades in your track, then Airwire can be problematic. It will slow down on the uphill and surge on the down hill unless you constantly adjust the transmitter. I find that to be very troublesome, especially if I just want to run a train and forget about it.
I'm glad to see my grade problem has been confirmed by several other AirWire users. So now I must wonder when and if it will ever get fixed?  | |
G-Scale Graphics
Custom Vinyl Lettering & Critter Controls
www.GScaleGraphics.net | |
|
Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
Conductor
Posts:765
Send Message
| | 03/30/2008 8:28 PM |
| The QSI decoder (with or without the Gwire receiver) has all the controls and speed options that most sophisticated DCC decoders have. There are several different settings for basic motor operation, and the default one works with BEMF, simulating the momentum of a locomotive, and resisting toy-like acceleration or deceleration rates.
Regards, Greg | |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
Click here for Greg's web site | |
|
terry_n_85318
Brakeman
Posts:45
Send Message
| | 03/31/2008 11:16 AM |
| BEMF (Back EMF) is the voltage that is generated by the motor itself (it's a generator) and it subtracts from the applied voltage.
The Airwire gives a constant current for a given throttle setting. If the current demand is higher, the motor will slow down (going up hill or around a curve) and if the current demad is lower (going down hill) the motor will speed up. Unless you actually monitor motor speed, you will experience those "problems". I don't see it as a big issue.
Terry | |
 SA #268
St John RR
Glendale Az | |
|
calenelson
Non-Paying Member
Foreman
Posts:333
Send Message
| | 03/31/2008 12:06 PM |
| Posted By jbwilcox on 03/29/2008 11:40 PM
Actually, a clarification:
I do not have very steep grades on my layout but with the Airwire, unless I really started the engine going on the flat, it would sometimes come to a complete stop on the uphill and then surge to unrealistic speeds on the downhills.
I have since gone back and tried to eliminate the grades on the upper portion of my layout.
I do not understand why RCS does not have this problem and the Airwire does.
If someone can explain that, I would be greatful.
John
John, I wish I could help with an answer....Like you my RCS does not speed up or slow down, even with my screwy grades...it just works...maybe Tony can come back in and explain...although I haven't had any of the range issues you mentioned above, I can control my trains from a much greater distance 80'+ easy...w/ my TX24
cale | |
‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King I tell you. | |
|
calenelson
Non-Paying Member
Foreman
Posts:333
Send Message
| | 03/31/2008 12:06 PM |
| silly dbl post with the new forum hang up thingy
cale | |
‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King I tell you. | |
|
TonyWalsham
Melbourne Vic Australia
Foreman
Posts:201
Send Message
| | 03/31/2008 3:13 PM |
| Posted By calenelson on 03/31/2008 12:06 PM Posted By jbwilcox on 03/29/2008 11:40 PM
Actually, a clarification:
I do not have very steep grades on my layout but with the Airwire, unless I really started the engine going on the flat, it would sometimes come to a complete stop on the uphill and then surge to unrealistic speeds on the downhills.
I have since gone back and tried to eliminate the grades on the upper portion of my layout.
I do not understand why RCS does not have this problem and the Airwire does.
If someone can explain that, I would be greatful.
John John, I wish I could help with an answer....Like you my RCS does not speed up or slow down, even with my screwy grades...it just works...maybe Tony can come back in and explain...although I haven't had any of the range issues you mentioned above, I can control my trains from a much greater distance 80'+ easy...w/ my TX24 cale
Whilst I cannot comment about a competitors product, I can tell you that RCS does not have BEMF.
I do however use a highly regarded, and to date seemingly bullet proof, Solid State motor driver that is highly efficient. These cost a lot of money, but are certainly worth it to me. | |
Best wishes,
Tony Walsham (Remote Control Systems). www.rcs-rc.com/
The primary problems of the planet arise not from the poor, for whom education is the answer. They arise from the well educated - for whom self interest is the problem. William Sloane Coffin. | |
|
Madstang
1st Class Member
Bellevue, NE
Foreman
Posts:165
Send Message
| | 03/31/2008 4:30 PM |
| My RCS I have in My LGB K-28 does not speed up and slow down..BUT it is an ealier model of RCS..BUT REAL trains, steam engines do not have BEMF and work going up grades and speed up a little down grades....my Aster LGB K-28 runs like a REAL engine up hill under a load so I like that it picks up speed and slows down.
My layout must not have very steep grades and I do not have a problem with the Airwire keeping constant speed..even on the same places that my K-28 slow down on....go figure.
It is not an unrealiztic slow down and speed up for me so I am OK with it.
Now my LGB MTS on battery power does keep a constant speed and to me doesn't seem realistic.
I am happy with every control I have, as stated above...just like women ya like them for their differences, and enjoy them each when ya can.!    | |
Bubba'sPlatte River RRBellevue, NE | |
|
chuckger
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:87
Send Message
| | 04/02/2008 5:52 PM |
| Hi All,
I would like to thank everyone who posted a reply to this thread.
I have another question, can someone give me an idea of the run time they are getting with r/c and sound using 14.4 volt sub c 2400 mah NiCD batteries?? Checking on the net I saw sub c 4500 mah NiCD 7.2 battery packs, what's the difference?? Would the 45's give longer run time than the 24's??
Thank's
chuck | | | |
|
Dougald
Moderator
Foreman
Posts:307
Send Message
| | 04/02/2008 6:03 PM |
| Chuck
In general, the higher the mah rating, the lomger the run time. Sub Cs will give a heavier amperage drain than double As.
I have 19.2V sub Cs 4000 mah NiMH powering a USAT F3A-B set. With lights but no smoke or sound pulling a heavy train in continuous service I get an hour and a half run time. On the other hand, my B'mann shay with both lights and sound but no smoke, with 14.4V double As gives almost 3 hours in continuous service and it also can pull a heavy train.
Our normal operations on saturday morning involve a lot of switching - I only ever run continuously to test something. I have never had a freshly charged loco run its batteries down during our 3 hour ops session.
Regards ... Doug | |
Doug Matheson
Manotick Ontario
SA #122 | |
|