Scattergun Radio control and DCC

farnetti

Western Thunderer
In the past I have always used DC only but decided a couple of years ago to start using DCC. I am currently building a Class 31 and have a Class 08 for which I have a South West Digital decoder.

I have been looking into S Cab, and American product which seems to tick all the right boxes. It is a rechargeable battery powered system that is radio controlled and DCC enabled. I also like that recharging is done through the rails and if battery voltage to the decoder falls to below that on the rails there is a smooth transition so that the is fed by voltage on the rails. Transmitter is recharged using USB cable.

Unfortunately though, as far as I can tell, the receiver is not available as a stand alone purchase, only with a decoder, which I don't need. Both seem to be compliant with NMRA S-9.2 DCC format.

Has anyone had any experience with S Cab?

Many thanks

Ken
 

richard carr

Western Thunderer
Ken

Although it looks quite good the fact that you have to use their decoders with the S cab would put me off.

I have used the Tam Valley Dead Rail system in a JLTRT 37 and it works really well, take a look at that, you can use any decoder with it.

Tam Valley Depot

Richard
 

richard carr

Western Thunderer
I'm sorry but you are wrong, the Tam valley system uses my wireless NCE system, this has been legal in the UK for about 2 years now.

Richard
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
Yep, there's a specific 869MHz transmitter/ receiver that Tam Valley produce for the European market.

Steph
 

SimonME30

Member
Steph probably has your answer.

I am working on a wifi solution, using WeMos D1 Mini (ESP8266). With a modified version of DCC++ you could potentially do it using JMRI as a controller.
 

farnetti

Western Thunderer
Thank you to everyone for their input.

I was attracted to S Cab as batteries are charged from the track and motors can be powered from the batteries or the track. I have had a reply to an E-mail to S Cab and they can provide a receiver with a DCC booster attached which will work with the Loksound decoder and have done without any complaints. However, they don't supply equipment with EU frequencies and, if using their track recharging system, there is an issue with Loksound decoders affecting consistent sound levels.

So, Richards suggestion of the Tam Valley system seems to be the better option despite separate battery charging. I also have a NCE controller, Powercab only, but the Tam Valley transmitter connects in the same way.

I would be interested in any ones choice batteries, it doesn't seem easy to find physically small 11.1v rechargeable Lipos. Any feedback gratefully received.

Ken
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
Ken,

My impression is that there are third-party circuits for rail charging. I was looking into this a few months ago and found this resource invaluable: Dead Rail Society

Hopefully you've already found the site, but if not I suspect you'll find much there of interest.

Steph

Edit - yep it looks as though the S-Cab battery management components can be used with other decoders/receivers.
 

richard carr

Western Thunderer
Ken

I have used NiMh AAA in the 37, 8 of them to give a notional 9.6 volts I then added a 12 volt regulator board to give a constant 12 volts to the transmitter and decoder.
I would avoid lipos unless they have the necessary protection circuits it's too easy to go bang otherwise. You should be able to fit all that easily inside the 31.

Richard
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
Ken

I have used NiMh AAA in the 37, 8 of them to give a notional 9.6 volts I then added a 12 volt regulator board to give a constant 12 volts to the transmitter and decoder.
I would avoid lipos unless they have the necessary protection circuits it's too easy to go bang otherwise. You should be able to fit all that easily inside the 31.

Richard

Richard,
What regulator board did you use? It's fairly fundamental that regulators drop voltage, so what you're using must be pretty canny to increase the voltage enough to convert a nominal 9.6v into regulated 12v. Might be useful to know... :)

Steph
 

Oz7mm

Western Thunderer
Purely for the sake of accuracy, S-Cab is Australian. They use standard decoders but these need modification which is why you need to buy decoders from them. They do not do modifications on all makes of decoder (the last time I looked) so your choice is limited.

John
 

farnetti

Western Thunderer
Glad I started this thread, loads of interesting stuff and thank you all for your input. Carrying on from my last post-

Jordan, Coastal do carry Tam Valley although the R/C stuff isn't advertised, I'll contact them directly.

Steph, Yup, had found Dead Rail Society on Tam Valley website, yet to read. Ta.

Richard, I understand your concern about proper safe treatment of Lipos. The class 31 has the most space, and so will be my test bed. 8 x AAA batteries would fit but not anything else I have.

So my latest thinking is that I could use the S Cab BPS and re-chargeable Lipo batteries for power and the Tam Valley R/C transmitter and receiver for control.

I await to go down in flames.

Ken
 
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