Talk:Hand-held throttle

Features

Roy Stevens of Ride Trains lead the following discussion on the "Live Diesel" group on Yahoo.com, December 2013:

I'll tell you all that I'm working on a new throttle/sound/light system. I'd like to know what kind of features that you'd like in a throttle system. The things that I have right now are a smaller more ergonomic form factor, smaller wire between handheld and loco. Lighting for forward, reverse, dimming, mars, gyralite, and flashing ditch built in. Prime mover sounds specific to the locomotive with a number of available horns.

Safety is a big concern, and I'm considering a number of potential safety items, and am soliciting the group's opinion. I personally prefer a knob throttle, but I know that many would like a spring-loaded throttle. I'm not a big fan of center-off but if you like that style, let me know. One safety measure I could incorporate into this system is a dead-mans button, but I can go further. I could incorporate dead-man's touch, where the system detects skin contact and shuts down if you drop it. Running with gloves could be a problem. I could also incorporate a drop sensor. Basically with this new system, if you can imagine it I can probably do it. Radio control is also being developed for later release.

Pricing for the entire system including motor control will be priced competitively with a good Phoenix setup. It will be available early February.

So let me know what you've seen that you like, and/or what you'd like to see.

Ken Cameron contributed the following:

A few more features to consider and see if there might be space etc….

*Marker lights – so white, green, and red if run as a pusher, and these also work as double since they could be on both ends.

*Step lights

*Feedback for battery/fuel level

*Lever instead of knob for throttle

*Bell (didn’t see that in your list)

*Mute

*Presume failsafe in loco for loss of connection to control

*Dynamic brake (sound at least)

*Other sound/light/other controls (I’m thinking spare on/off for ‘whatever’)

Ok, long list but just guessing at things that might come up as ‘nice’ if the design is geared as flexible and using some sort of data link instead of discrete wires for every single function. Also I doubt anyone would need ‘everything’ but some way so that those who need this or that have a base for them.

At least feedback like this is some of what you hoped to hear.

Another contribution to the discussion:

With an electric control box on my RMI transfer switcher there are a couple of things that i like or don't link and would like other options. I prefer the knob style speed control to a "Joystick" style throttle but Ive seen several throttle controls that look just like a locomotive control which is very cool. Id like the option to turn off the sound system but keep the whistle/horn available for crossings/emergencies, etc.Id also like to see a stereo jack to plug in a MP3 player so I could listen to music or radio on those long run days at Train Mountain.