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Wireless
DC Controllers for your Model Railway.
Questions and Answers
Where are the Smartphone/Tablet requirements?
Any Android Smartphone or Tablet with at least Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) and Bluetooth 4.0. It is recommended that the screen resolution is greater than 800*600 and that using a stylus pen may make operating the device easier with smaller screen sizes.
Where can I download the App?
Will these
Receivers/Controllers
work with older locomotives?
Not only do these work with older locomotives but it is these that show the greatest improvements in performance. Older non-geared locomotives tend to work in a binary manner - stopped and moving. With the
Receiver's/Controller's
PWM outputs and correct settings, older locomotives can exhibit very good low-speed running.
Can I run more than one loco on the same track with one
Receiver/Controller
?
Yes, up to the maximum load current. A typical loco may take up to 250mA so up to two (522) or four (603) is theoretically possible. However, as with any DC Controller, all locos have different characteristics so they would not all run at the same speed.
Can I connect more than one
Receiver/Controller
to the track?
This SHOULD NOT be done except where the track is sectioned, exactly the same as for a standard DC
controller
.
Can I use "Common Return" with the
Receivers/Controllers?
"Common Return" requires an isolated and different DC supply for each
Receiver/Controller
so multiple Model 603's can use Common Return provided they have individual DC supplies. The two outputs from the Model 522 can not use a Common Return as the outputs are derived from one DC input. Multiple Model 522's can have one Common Return, again provided they have individual DC supplies. A good article on Common Return can be found
at http://rail.felgall.com
Can I control more than one
Receiver/Controller
with the App?
Yes, although currently the App will disconnect from its current
Receiver/Controller
when switching between
Receivers/Controllers.
A Multi Mode is currently under development and will be an update to the App in due course.
Can I use an Electonic Track Cleaner with blueRailways
Receivers/Controllers?
No. Electronic Track Cleaners generate a high voltage (about 200V), which will fry DCC decoders and blueRailways
Receivers/Controllers
, both of which are designed to operate at voltages below 18V.
Can the Model 522 receiver connect to two different transmitters (i.e. two Model 720's or two Smartphones) at the same time, one for each track output?
Regrettably it is not technically possible. The receiver and transmitter have to "pair" together to communicate and once paired, you cannot break into the connection. This "pairing" is what provides the very stable and reliable connection. You can't connect your Fitbit to two phones at the same time - same technology.
Can you get interference between transmitters (Model 720 or Smartphones) ?
As above, once the transmitter (Model 720 or Smartphone) and receiver (Model 603 or Model 522) are "paired" there is a very stable and reliable connection between the two with no interference from other devices. In an exhibition hall, for example, the Model 720 will connect to the strongest receiver signal.
Will the Model 522 and Model 603 work with Train Detection Systems such as the Heathcote SA7-SB?
According to Heathcote "Should work fine with a PWM controller and no feedback. The SA7-SB will effectively reduce the heights of the pulses to control the speed."
What kind of Power Supply do i need for the
Receiver/Controller
?
Call them AC adapters, AC-DC power supplies, wall adapters, wall plug transformers, or wall plug-in power supplies are the most common source of low voltage power. They are the small plastic boxes that plug directly into the mains power socket. Use one where the rating label specifies a DC output voltage between 12V and 15V and a current of at least 1Amp. The Power Supply requirements for the
Receivers/Controllers
are very Non-critical. Batteries, old laptop power supplies and even the Track Outputs from existing controllers can be used.
What is PWM?
The
Receivers/Controllers
uses a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) output rather than a variable DC voltage. This is EXACTLY the same method used to drive the motor that a DCC decoder uses. There is plenty of information on the internet about PWM and DCC.
What is Back-Emf?
To keep it simple. When the loco is driven, the motor is acting as a motor and driving the wheels. If the motor drive is switched off then the motor continues to rotate but it then acts as a generator and produced a voltage. By switching off the motor for a very short time, the generated voltage can be measured without any speed change being noticed. This "Back-Emf" can give a measure of the speed of the motor. Because most model locomotives are geared, and at different ratios, the voltages measured can vary and are much higher than non-geared motors.
Are all locomotives compatible?
The
Receivers/Controllers
have been widely tested with locomotives from all manufacturers and the only problem was with one loco which had a large value motor suppression capacitor. This worked perfectly after replacing it with a lower value capacitor.
Are the Model 522 and 603 "feedback"
controllers
?
No.