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 you 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.

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.