New RC loco

C

Cyclone

Registered
A bit of a spec me post but Im after some advice/opinions as Im fresh to this.
This will be my first live steam loco. I think Im gonna get a Ragleth, after reading around and comparing prices.
It needs to be RC and it seems that 2.4Ghz is the way forward if starting from scratch. (though I do have a 40Mhz transmitter for an RC helicopter)
However, is it best to get a loco with RC already fitted or fit my own. The fitted ones seem to be 2 channel, but if I modify to add a whistle I assume this will require another channel (if RC whistle mods are even possible on something like a Ragleth?)
Are the RC Ragleths factory fitted with 2.4GHz or does it depend on where you buy from?

Finally just canvassing for where to buy from, Track Shack have a good rep and fit 2.4GHz?

Any comments very gladly received.

Ed
 
The Ragleth RC only uses one channel (on the reverser) so you will have a spare for the whistle. I bought my Raggy from Trackshack and can confirm the service is top notch.

Steve
 
The 40Mhz channels are reserved for air use only. It is actually illegal to use 'air' channels for ground equipment.
 
stockers said:
The 40Mhz channels are reserved for air use only. It is actually illegal to use 'air' channels for ground equipment.
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No it is not Allan. These locomotives were for many years fitted with 40meg sets. Aircraft use 35meg/
 
OK - thanks for the correction. In that case who ever sold him 40Mhz gear for his 'copter got it wrong. the reason 35 is reserved for air use is safety. Most fliers use some sort of channel allocation system to prevent same channel conflict and crashes. It is much harder to see who may be using ground equipment.
 
Cyclone said:
Are the RC Ragleths factory fitted with 2.4GHz or does it depend on where you buy from?
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Ed,
AFAIK Accucraft UK locos are not factory fitted with RC, this is done by the supplying dealer.
Trackshack are highly recommended. 2.4G is the way to go.
The smaller Accy locos only need one RC channel, on the reverser.
You open the regulator a little, as necessary, and then control speed and direction by the piston valve reverser.
 
That took me by surprise, I assumed they would be 2 channel. One on the regulator and one on the reversing lever. I have no idea how you can control speed through the reverser (a lot to learn). So this is sufficient to allow fine control of the loco?
 
Fitting 2 channel R/C to Caradoc/Ragleth yourself is easy. A third channel for control of a whistle is no problem either.
 
stockers said:
OK - thanks for the correction. In that case who ever sold him 40Mhz gear for his 'copter got it wrong. the reason 35 is reserved for air use is safety. Most fliers use some sort of channel allocation system to prevent same channel conflict and crashes. It is much harder to see who may be using ground equipment.
Click to expand...
A closer look at the equipment will probably confirm that it is 35meg I cannot see any manufacturer doing this very dangerous thing. If it is 35meg then it certainly should not be used for ground based models.
 
I have an Accucraft Lyn operated from a single channel on the reverser only, works like a dream and is perfectly controlable, even on the inclines on my line.
With regards to the number of channels available, this is a function of the transmitter/reciever combination that you choose to have - e.g. the Spektrum DX6i that was fitted to my Lyn seems to have at least 4 usable proportional channels + some others that operate on a momentary basis only (I must read the manual some time). I actually have my battery powered Exe linked to the same transmitter as the Lyn so I can double head on a single joystick for control of both.
With regards to fitting R/C yourself or by a third party, that is down to you own level of confidence. Personaly I would not trust myself. There are independents that offer this service alone, I have a loco in with Chuffed2bits (Warwickshire) right now who do this work. Most retailers offer an R/C fitting service as part of the deal.
If you had a Roundhouse loco it in all probibility R/C would be factory fitted and minimum 2 channels as this make requires both the reverser and regulator to be controled to operate.
Max.
 
Cyclone, you are quite correct in your assumption regarding single channel RC, and on this forum I am likely to start a major argument with all the "experts".
However, it does work for some folks but for proper control and smooth operation 2 channel is by far the the best way to go. Single channel is just for cost reductions.

The 2.4 RC kit is the way to go and the transmitters all have a channel available to operate a whistle or other facility.

Good luck with your new purchase and happy steaming.
 
Fitting single channel r/c to an Accucraft generic loco is not difficult, and shouldn't involve drilling any holes in the loco either. The result is relatively controllable. Personally I like shunting, so intend to fit control to the regulator too, which is a little more involved & does involve minor modifications but Doug's guide is very good- I'm not sure if it's still hidden online somewhere as it was on the GSM website.

2.4Gigabobbles is definitely the way to go. If you end up having to fit a servo smoother to get rid of the glitches you can get with the Mhz systems it costs more than fitting 2.4GHz in the first place. I've got the Planet system, does the job for me.

By the way, the 2.4GHz systems fitted by the dealers will have spare channels- even if only the reverser is controlled the reciever will probably have 4 or 5 channels, so you can always upgrade later.
 
wpandyr said:
Cyclone, you are quite correct in your assumption regarding single channel RC, and on this forum I am likely to start a major argument with all the "experts".
However, it does work for some folks but for proper control and smooth operation 2 channel is by far the the best way to go. Single channel is just for cost reductions.

snip <
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Couldn't agree more as it happens! Single channel is OK for beginners IMHO, but if you want more realistic and accurate control, you really need a regulator servo too. Only the Accucraft type piston valve locos can be controlled in this manner anyway, (without getting into detail) the Roundhouse types need two channel regardless. If you like chuffers, the 'reverser only' control tends to strangle the sound too, as the exhaust passages are restricted as well as the steam ones.

Of course 2.4 gig isn't dependant upon frequency channels either, as the Tx and Rx are digitally linked, so there is no issue of interference. Most fliers I know have changed to 2.4 ages ago exactly for this reason.
 
unless you have an alpine like line, or the purpose is shunting, just learn to run manual - it is an art in it's self. you can always fit retrospectively. my first steamer was rc but now I prefer manual. after all where is the hand for the beer when stalking round the garden with a transmitter?
 
Thanks for the info.
I contacted Track shack and the Ragleth is fitted Planet RC with 5 channels!
So based on this I can add in servos to the regulator and whistle etc "easily" in the future...I think.
Ive enquired about stock, so may be purchasing soon.
(would love a RH loco as like to but British, but the extra cost is too much for my first loco)

Edit:
Just ordered one from track shack.:D
 
wpandyr said:
Cyclone, you are quite correct in your assumption regarding single channel RC, and on this forum I am likely to start a major argument with all the "experts".
However, it does work for some folks but for proper control and smooth operation 2 channel is by far the the best way to go. Single channel is just for cost reductions.

The 2.4 RC kit is the way to go and the transmitters all have a channel available to operate a whistle or other facility.

Good luck with your new purchase and happy steaming.
Click to expand...

I have used single channel RC with both these and Pearse locos on 2.4 and have not had a problem ? nevertheless 2 channel is better in terms of fine control, particularly if unused to using the regulator as a steam limiter. The November batch of Ragleths will be a slightly different body design to easily enable 2 channel control...although this is quite possible on current models if doing one's own. 'Official' fits however are currently single channel.
 
I recently fitted RC to my Ragleth and it was one of my first loco's. i am guessing your single servo is behind the right hand (off side) water tank panel and controls the reverser only.

I also fitted this servo on the reversor and simply made an ali plate to hold the servo and drilled the plate to fit the holes under the tank cover that were already there. I removed the reversor from the cab as I preferred it without it though i could have just removed the lock bolt and had it sliding.

The other servo I was originally going to put in the RC area under the loco, but finally went for an in cab solutuon, not the best for looks but to be fair you can hardly see it. It meant drilling 2 small holes in the cab floor to bolt the servo plate into and then a simple connecting rod up the regulator arm. Easy peasy to do and I have 4 channels left over on the RX but only 2 on the TX.

Equipment used:
Spectrum DX4i (modified to a AAA 4 cell rechargable pack, TX was only £30)
RX is a 6 channel Orange receiver with the casing removed and then heatshrinked up (Orange RX's I get from HobbyKing at just $5.99 or about £4 each, I tend to buy 3 at a time for postage purposes {http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11965 < Link To http://www.hobbyking.com/...em.asp?idProduct=11965}) A small, light and very cheap RX solution.
Battery is a AA 4 cell rechargable pack.
Servo's I cant remember what they are but could be something like Hitec HS-82MG's (I happend to have these laying around as I also fly RC planes.

All in all, it works fantastic and didnt cost much to do at all, using cheaper servo's i dare say I could have done it for around £50.
Awesome little engines arn't they, they run so so well :D
 
Cyclone said:
Thats good info. dont suppose youve looked at a whistle yet.

Just running mine in, good fun (need to change my rolling stock couplings though)
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Yup, looked at a whistle at £80, then thought about it for a millisecond, and thought, do ya know, I kinda like it without a whislte :rolf:
I think mine is just about run in now, or at least getting that way. The couplings, I think I might go Accucraft all the way, not 100% sure yet? :thinking:
 
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