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….....................................--- HandCab WiFi Throttle – Part 7 ---
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Overview:
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Fits your hand well. If I get caught up with things I'll try and put up print files for lefties at some point if there is any demand for that.
You will love the feel of working the handles vs. the other throttles that only have a knob or slider. They don't run the real thing, at least from my time period with knobs.
My other throttles have the horn controlled with one of the red button switches. It works fine but again wanted a control somewhat like what you might find in a real cab. I don't have a ceiling above the throttle to hang a more conventional pull type horn control but think the lever shown above will be a big improvement over the button switch. It is cool to use.
One has the option of installing one or two batteries. I'm going with two like on my other throttles. Don't have to worry so much about how much charge is left in the battery. With two you need a battery selector switch. I also added two LED's to show which battery is being used or is charging. The LED's are very small 0402 LED's so hard to see the one that isn't lit above but it is there.
On/Off and battery selected LEDs are options along with 1 or 2 batteries. Batteries are cheap so why not add a second if the operating session goes longer that you thought because you are enjoying using the throttle so much.
Software is done but still needs to be cleaned up a bit with some documentation revisions also needed there. I'll post a link to it here soon. One program is run first to read the pot values so they can be added to a config file that works with the main HandCab software. In the config file you also add the values you want to setup acceleration and braking momentum's that fit your needs along with 8 speed steps for the 8 notches on the throttle.
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Now that the throttle (2 of them) is/are done I've gotten to run one quite a bit. I love how the throttle controls feel. Way different than my other throttles that have an encoder knob. I've never been in a cab before but using the controls feels like I'm really controlling something vs. using a more conventional throttle knob or slider where there isn't much connect. You also have to pay more attention to what you are doing with the built in acceleration and braking momentum that will make your train react more like the real thing. Like with a real train you can't accelerate and brake instantly. If needed there is an emergency button to stop a loco and another to instantly turn off track power. You also don't have to program momentum via the decoder's CV values, the throttle handles it
Click on the image above or ( HERE ) to see what the throttle is all about. This will probably be my go-to throttle now as it is so much more interesting to use and run a loco/train with vs. turning a knob.
I'll add more in depth videos on operating the throttle that will also show you how powerful the throttle software is in regards to adding/dropping locos; sound and other decoder function options; consisting; controlling points and routes and much more.
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Software will be posted soon on a GitHub page along with links to all the print files there and here.
For the whole build of this throttle go ( HERE ).
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