Remote Control and DCC

Article Synopsis

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This article is about various remote control systems for G-Scale train operations. It also includes a little bit about Digital Command Control (DCC) setup and usage.
Under construction/modification by DErik (talk) 16:17, 4 December 2023 (PST)

RC Systems

All RC systems operate basically the same way. They have a (usually) hand-held device called a controller. The controller sends a signal to a receiver (usually associated with a train engine, and installed in the engine or a trailing car like a tender, but some can handle auxillary equipment like building lights or crossing guards or track switches). The receiver determines if the signal is for it, and if so, does what the signal is instructing it to do. The functions the receiver can handle vary a little between receivers, and are dependent on what is called a DCC code. I’ll get into the codes a little later. Essentially all controllers and receivers handle signals for speed, direction, bell, and whistle. Others handle things like additional sounds, smoke, and lights. And yet more functions can be incorporated; but it ususally takes a bit of doing to get the DCC codes set up correctly.

Some (but not all) of the controllers can handle multiple trains. This requires that the controller be “programmed” or “set up” to know what trains are to be controlled. The receivers are associated with a single engine, and only respond to a controller that is sending a specific identification code on a specific frequency. That is, all the receivers currently active in a layout will receive all the signals sent by all the controllers, but will only respond to a specific controller, and only if the identification code is correct.

Thus, only one controller is needed for a small layout where only one train is running at a time. If multiple trains are running, and you want to use the same controller, you can do this by switching the signal ID sent to trains. But a word of caution, if you need to switch trains frequently or quickly, don’t rely on this paradigm. It takes time to switch a controller to another train, and you might not select the right one, or it might not be set up to handle the train you want.

And just to complicate things a bit, some controllers can handle multiple receivers at the same time. This is called a "multi-unit" or MU setup. It is basically used with AB engines to control both engines the same way. For instance, increasing the speed or changing the direction will happen in both engines at the same time to the same degree.

Each RC system manufacturer will be setup differently. You will have to review the installation and operation procedures they provide to properly set it up and operate it. For example, the Revolution manual for the 57000 RC system is a 40-page PDF file; it can be found at https://www.revoelectronics.com/media/wysiwyg/Revolution%20Manual.pdf. These instructions will vary drastically in detail and quality, and may not always be available.

Following is a list of some popular RC systems, with a simple description of some of the specifications and a few comments on the characteristics of them. Also included are prices, but as you may suspect, these will vary depending on the source, quality of the item, other factors, especially time; they were fairly accurate as of mid-November 2023. A list of some vendors of RC systems, and other stuff is provided below. But, as with all such things, be aware that that list is tenuous at best.

Revolution

• Manufacturer: Revo Electronics (Started as Aristocraft/Crest, then bought by Revo Electronics after Aristocraft ceased operation)
• Sound: generic steam or generic diesel, 8 ohm speaker required (~$10 → $15)
• Power: Battery or Track-steady (do not adjust throttle), Minimum ~14 volts DC
• DCC Signal: Radio 2.4 MHz, 500 foot range unobstructed
• Receiver/Decoder: There is a version for ~$109, and a Linear versionfor ~$119 (not clear on what the differences are). The receiver also sends information back to the controller, which is essential for good multi-unit control.
• Controller: Can handle multiple trains. Has the capability to set up for multi-unit operation. ~$175
• Battery: Should be capable of ~14 → 18 volts with 3300 mAh (milliamp hours). ~$80.
• Battery charger: Should be able to charge a battery to ~14 → 18 volts. ~$60
• Battery/Charging wiring select switch: ~$9
• Notes:
  • Can be run on battery or track power (if wired for track power and DC voltage applied). Requires selector switch (~$1)
  • Basic wiring included.
  • Lighting (optional LED lighting upgrade recommended for headlight/taillight). Two resistors may be required to protect LEDs.
  • Smoke unit & smoke unit wiring come with wiring package, but using smoke unit can reduce time before recharging is needed.

Revolution Controller and Receiver

Need picture Revolution controller, model ____

Need picture Revolution receiver, fits inside engine or tender, handles all functions, model _____

AirWire

• Manufacturer: CVP Products
• Sound: mostly engine specific, 8 ohm speaker required (~$10 → $15)
• Power: Battery or Track-steady (do not adjust throttle), Minimum ~14 volts DC
• DCC Signal: Radio 2.4 MHz, 500 foot range unobstructed
• Receiver/Decoder: Engine specific, prices vary, ~$150 → $160
• Controller: Throttle/Combo, Can handle multiple engines, ~$172
• Battery: Should be capable of ~14 → 18 volts with 3300 mah (milliamp hours). ~$80.
• Battery charger: Should be able to charge a battery to ~14 → 18 volts. ~$60
• Battery/Charging wiring select switch: ~$9
• Notes:
  • Can be run on track power with slector switch that can be switched to battery/track/charger, as desired.
  • Basic wiring included.
  • Lighting (optional LED lighting upgrade recommended for headlight/taillight). Two resistors may be required to protect LEDs.
  • Smoke unit & smoke unit wiring come with wiring package, but using smoke unit can reduce time before recharging is needed.
  • Throttle is a continuous rheostat dial rather than a push button step like the Revolution.

AirWire Controller and Receiver

Need picture AirWire controller, model ____

Need picture AirWire receiver, fits inside engine or tender, handles all functions, model _____

Blunami

• Manufacturer: Soundtraxx
• Sound: Download sound profile from large library of high quality sounds, Model BLU-4408 has 4 watt amplifier, separate 8 ohm speakers available
• Power: Designed to draw from track, but could use battery instead
• DCC Signal: Bluetooth
• Receiver: ~$256
• Controller/Throttle: Use iPad or iPhone with recent version of IOS.
• Battery: Should be capable of ~14 → 18 volts with 3300 mAh (milliamp hours). ~$80.
• Battery charger: Should be able to charge a battery to ~14 → 18 volts. ~$60
• Battery/Charging wiring select switch: ~$9
• Notes:
  • Just being introduced, software is to be relased soon
  • Wide variety of lighting, sound options, sound is high quality, they have many different sound decoders. Appears that controlling sound is their main thing. Speakers are placed around the layout in "blocks" rather than in an engine or tender.
  • Running on battery may require some engine electrical modification
  • Smoke unit in battery mode depletes the battery quickly
  • Downlad an App to an iPad or iPhone to control trains via Bluetooth

Piko

• Manufacturer: Piko
• Sound: Engine must come with analog sound upgrade
• Power: Track power, requires 7 → 22 volts, but model 35042 receiver can run on track or battery power (12 → 18 volts AC or 12 → 24 volts constant DC)
• DCC Signal: Radio 2.4 MHz, 500 foot range unobstructed
• Receiver: Packaged with controller, ~$114
• Controller: "Pocket" controller, can be purchased separately
• Notes:
  • Sound system responds to "magnetic switch" activation
  • May be the most inexpensive, but may also be the least functional - more details needed, please assist
  • Could not find any information on batteries specific to Piko

RailPro

• Manufacturer: Ring Engineering
• Being researched - please assist

DCC

Digital Command Control has been around for a long time. It was originally developed for HO, N, and Z systems in the 1980s. It now has a an NMRA DCC Working Group to help develop standards for the concept that RC system vendors can adopt; and most of them have, with, as you might suspect, "upgrades" or "enhancements" of their own. For an in-depth discussion of all the aspects of DCC, a good source of information is the NMRA DCC RPs & Standards web site. There is also a web site (JMRI) where you can learn a lot about DCC and download applications to allow you to program your RC systems.

To provide a quick overview of some of the thngs that DCC deals with, it is probably best to simply list some of the DCC codes and explain what they are. For the complete list that the NMRA has, review the S-9.2.2 Configruation Variables document published by the NMRA.

Codes

A lot of this is taken directly from the NMRA S-9.2.2 Draft, Section 1.3.2. See that referencefor the full list.

• CV1: Primary Address: Bits 0-6 contain an address with a value between 1 and 127. Bit seven must have a value of "0". If the value is "00000000" then DCC protocol is disabled. This setting will not affect the Digital Decoder's ability to respond to service mode packets (see S 9.2.3). The default value for this Configuration Variable is 3, if the decoder is not installed in a locomotive or other unit when shipped from the manufacturer.
• CV2: Vstart: Vstart is used to define the voltage drive level used as the start voltage on the motor. The voltage drive levels shall correspond linearly to the voltage applied to the motor at speed step one, as a fraction of available rectified supply voltage. When the voltage drive level is equal to zero, there shall be zero voltage applied to the motor. When it is at maximum "11111111", the full available rectified voltage shall be applied.
• CV3: Acceleration Rate: Determines the decoder's acceleration rate. The formula for the acceleration rate shall be equal to (the contents of CV#3*.896)/(number of speed steps in use). For example, if the contents of CV#3 =2, then the acceleration is 0.064 sec/step for a decoder currently using 28 speed steps. If the content of this parameter equals "0" then there is no programmed momentum during acceleration.
• CV4: Deceleration Rate: Determines a decoder’s braking rate, in the same fashion as acceleration above (CV #3).
• CV5:: Vhigh: Vhigh is used to specify the motor voltage drive levels at the maximum speed step. This value shall be specified as a fraction of available rectified supply voltage. When the contents of CV#5 equal "11111111", the full available rectified voltage shall be applied. Values of "00000000" or "00000001" shall indicate that Vhigh is not used in the calculation of the speed table.
• CV6: Vmid: Vmid specifies the voltage drive level at the middle speed step. Vmid is used to generate a performance curve in the decoder that translates speed step values into motor voltage drive levels and is specified as a fraction of available rectified supply voltage. Values of 00000000 or 00000001 shall indicate that Vmid is not used in the calculation of the speed table.
• CV11: Packet time-out Value: Contains the maximum time period that the decoder will maintain its speed without receiving a valid packet. See S 9.2.4 Section C for further information.
• CV15, CV16: Decoder Lock: The Decoder Lock is used to change CVs in only one of several decoders with the same short address (CV1) or long address (CV17 and CV18) that are installed in the same locomotive. Assign a number to CV16 in each decoder (i.e., 1 to motor decoder, 2 to sound decoder, 3 or higher to other decoders) before the decoders are installed in the locomotive. To change a value in another CV of one of the installed decoders, first write the number 1 (motor), 2 (sound), or 3 or higher (other) into CV15, then send the new value to the CV to be changed. The decoders will compare CV15 to CV16 and, if the values are equal, the CV to be changed will be changed. If the values in CV15 and CV16 are different, the update will be ignored. A value of 0 in CV16 disables decoder lock.
• CV17, CV18: Extended Address: The Extended Address is the locomotives address when the decoder is set up for extended addressing (indicated by a value of "1" in bit location 5 of CV#29). CV#17 contains the most significant bits of the two-byte address and must have a value between 11000000 and 11100111, inclusive, in order for this two-byte address to be valid. CV 18 contains the least significant bits of the address and may contain any value.
• CV19: Consist Address: Contains a 7-bit address in bit positions 0-6. Bit 7 indicates the relative direction of this unit within a consist, with a value of "0" indicating normal direction, and a value of "1" indicating a direction opposite the unit's normal direction. If the seven-bit address in bits 0-6 is "0000000" the unit is not in a consist. Editor's note: I believe this to be used primarily for multi-unit configurations. It may be set automatically by the vendor's setup software when a unit is placed in the MU consist. But it may be necessary to change Bit 7 if you install a receiver (decoder) and happen to reverse the polarity of the motor wires. The unit will still run fine, but not in the direction you expect. You could reverse the engine on the track to correct this, but changing this setting might be a better solution.
• CV21: Consist Address Active for F1-F8: Defines for functions F1-F8 whether the function is controlled by the consist address. For each Bit a value of "1" indicates that the function will respond to instructions addressed to the consist address and instructions addressed to the locomotive address (CV1 or CV17/CV18). A value of "0" indicates that the function will only respond to instructions addressed to the locomotive address. F1 is indicated by bit 0. F8 by bit 7.
• CV22: Consist Address Active for FL and F9-F12: Defines for function FL whether the function is controlled by the consist address. For each Bit a value of "1" indicates that the function will respond to instructions addressed to the consist address and instructions addressed to the locomotive address (CV1 or CV17/CV18). A value of "0" indicates that the function will only respond to instructions addressed to the locomotive address. FL in the forward direction is indicated by bit 0, FL in the reverse direction is controlled by bit 1. Bit 2 corresponds to F9, while Bit 5 corresponds to F12.
• CV23: Acceleration Adjustment: This Configuration Variable contains additional acceleration rate information that is to be added to or subtracted from the base value contained in Configuration Variable #3 using the formula (the contents of CV#23*.896)/(number of speed steps in use). This is a 7-bit value (bits 0-6) with bit 7 being reserved for a sign bit (0-add, 1-subtract). In case of overflow, the maximum acceleration rate shall be used. In case of underflow no acceleration shall be used. The expected use is for changing momentum to simulate differing train lengths/loads, most often when operating in a consist.
• CV24: Deceleration Adjustment: This Configuration Variable contains additional braking rate information that is to be added to or subtracted from the base value contained in Configuration Variable #4 using the formula (the contents of CV#24*.896) / (number of speed steps in use). This is a 7-bit value (bits 0-6) with bit 7 being reserved for a sign bit (0-add,1-subtract). In case of overflow, the maximum deceleration rate shall be used. In case of underflow no deceleration shall be used. The expected use is for changing momentum to simulate differing train lengths/loads, most often when operating in a consist.
• CV25: Speed Table/Mid-Range Cab Speed Step: A value between 2 and 127 shall be used to indicate 1 of 126 factory preset speed tables. A value of “00000010” indicates that the curve shall be linear. A value between 128 and 154 defines the 28-speed step position (1 - 27) which will define where the mid-range decoder speed value will be applied (CV6). In 14-speed mode the decoder will utilize this value divided by two. If the value in this variable is outside the range, the default mid cab speed of 14 (for 28 speed mode or 7 for 14 speed mode) shall be used as the mid speed value. Values of 0, 1, or > 154 shall indicate that this CV is not used in the calculation of the speed table.
• CV65: Kick Start: Specifies the amount of extra Kick that will supplied to the motor when transitioning between stop and the first speed step.
• CV66: Forward Trim: Specifies a scale factor by which a voltage drive level should be multiplied, when the controller is driving the unit in the forward direction. It is interpreted as n/128. If the Forward Trim configuration variable contains a value of "0" then forward trim is not implemented.
• CV67-94: Speed Table: The speed table is defined to be 28 bytes wide, consisting of 28 values for forward speeds. A digital controller that uses this table shall have at least 64 voltage drive levels and can have as many as 256 so that a smooth power curve can be constructed. Note that voltage drive levels are specified in integer values, in the same way as most other parameters. This means that a drive level of 1/4 maximum voltage corresponds to 0100000, not 0010000, as you would expect if the number specified a fraction with a fixed denominator, i.e., value 32 out of a fixed 128 levels.
• CV95: Reverse Trim: Specifies a scale factor by which a voltage drive level should be multiplied, when the controller is driving the unit in reverse. It is interpreted as n/128. If the Reverse Trim configuration variable contains a value of "0" then reverse trim is not implemented.

References and Sources

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1. RLD Hobbies
   
2. Reindeer Pass

Authors and Contributors

• Rusty Baumberger provided most of the material here
• Author and editor: Don Erikstrup (DErik (talk) December 2023)
• Others: Please comment on this using the “discussion” tab above or send an email to MRT SIG . And contribute additional information here and in other articles.