Radio control for a small 0-6-0

[gregh]

Way back in 2010, I built a small 0-6-0 loco for my grand-daughter, Lexie. As she was only 3 at the time I used a simple forward/off/reverse switch on the boiler.

I described the construction of the loco in this post:
https://www.gscalecentral.net/kit-building-bashing-scratch-build/a-small-0-6-0-tank-on-a-piko-motor/15/#lastPost

Now she’s older, I reckoned it was time to ‘RC’  it.



I used my ‘standard’ Hobbyking  (aero modeler) 2.4GHz equipment, utilizing an existing transmitter.


For more info on how I use Hobbyking RC stuff, see my web site here: http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/2point4GHz.htm

So all I needed was the batteries, a Receiver, an ESC (speed controller) and my standard method of reversing direction. 


I used six,  AA size, NiMH LS type batteries (It had 4 cells already). I just soldered them together in series and put in the side tanks. I used only 6 cells to keep the speed down, since kids seem to have only one speed when controlling – MAX.  Top speed is about 45 kph.

For reversing I use a DPDT switch glued to a servo with a cam to operated the switch.


I hot-glued the 3 main bits together, soldered to the battery via a 3.7A polyswitch and switch,  plugged the servo in channel 1 and the ESC in channel 3, connected to the motor via a 2-pin plug, and stuffed them in the boiler.


And that’s all it takes to add RC !  Getting the cam the right shape took the longest.
Total cost around  50AUD.  (25 GBP)

SOUND
The loco already had a simple sound system, using a Picaxe which just had a constant chuff rate (the manual loco had one speed!). So I modified the circuit to provide a ‘speed voltage’ input from the motor, and wrote a new program..  This is the simplest possible  circuit I’ve made. There’s no volume control as I usually use, and no amplifier. The speaker is just driven by a small transistor.  It does a soft hissing when stopped and a louder chuffing when running, produced by the white noise generator in the Picaxe. I didn’t try very hard to get the chuff rate correct to wheel speed, but it’s good enough for an 8 year old.




There’s a short video to show off the sound…
[size=12pt]http://youtu.be/HngE_ebezik[/size]

And finally I had a hole in the boiler top where the on/off switch used to be, that needed filling.  As much as I dislike bells on trains, I figured Lexie would like it and it was easy to add.  So it’s got a bell,  gasp, shock, horror!

 

[dunnyrail]

Interesting low tech conversion. I think if I was doing one it would have been 20KPH Max though. Guess this could be achieved with a simple well hidden Speed Controller that could be RC at a later date?
JonD

 

[gregh]

Interesting low tech conversion. I think if I was doing one it would have been 20KPH Max though. Guess this could be achieved with a simple well hidden Speed Controller that could be RC at a later date?
JonD

The original, with four AA cells, had about 20 kph max but it really is very slow, especially when waiting for it to clear the single line section!

 

[ge_rik]

I well remember the thread on Lexie's construction. It was what inspired me to start constructing my own battery locos - it's all your fault, Greg!
She's certainly a smart looking loco - apart from the bell and runs really well. it's amazing how much noise one transistor will generate.

Rik

 

[a98087]

I'm followed greghs method for rc and it works a treat, it low tech but works well!

Also with greghs method you can use both thumbs on the controller depending on how you allocate the channels


And lovely loco by the way

Dan

 

[GAP]

Fan of Greg's low tech low cost R/C method. Simple cost effective with no bells and whistles, pardon the pun.

All 7 of 9 my locos use this method.

Of the others 1 uses a robotics motor controller and the other is yet to be converted but will most likely get the same treatment.

I have dabbled with picaxe sound but not much, that is the next step when I retire and I can devote some time to learning it.

I have followed Greg's method of having 2 locos on the 1 controller so if I want to I can have 8 running at the same time, restriction is my control stand.