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….................................--- $4 to $15 PWM 12v DC Throttle ---

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Depending on what you have laying around you might be able to build this 12v PWM DC Throttle for as little as $4.00. I had seen this motor controller used for a DC throttle a couple places so though for under $10 I'd give it a try.

I'm happy enough with it that I'll probably use it instead of the TECH II I've been using when testing used DC locos I've bought prior to installing a decoder in them. I have a lot and all of them will probably never get a decoder. I have a large yard planed for the layout and I'm considering wiring it so I could run a DC or DCC engine in that area and this throttle might be a better option vs. the TECH II as I'll have it on a tether so it would be more convenient for yard work vs. the larger stationary throttle.

The TECH II does have a little better control under 3mph (N scale mph). I can get the engines to creep down to 1 mph or less with it.

This throttle is very good down to 2-3 mph which I feel would work fine working the yard.

I bought the motor controller on Amazon ( HERE ) but you can find them a number of places. Also picked up some 18 gauge 4 conductor wire that I'll use for a fairly long 10' to 15' tether ( HERE).

Before designing a case and wasting potential time ….

..... I spent about 20 minutes soldering up some wires and picked out a power supply and gave it a test run. Satisfied that it was working well went ahead and designed a case for it. I have a number of the plug-in-the-wall power supplies like the one shown above. When things quit working I throw them away and keep the power supplies.

The controller is good for up to 2 amps according to the specs and I had a 2 amp power supply but decided to use a 1 amp that I have. It is suppose to have a circuit breaker but I didn't try shorting the track during my limited testing.

….. and ….

….. moved the controller and toggle switch into the case.

I had to modify the case a bit and have print files up with the modifications. I haven't and probably won't print it again so would like feedback if there are any problems with the print files that are up.

Might also look at other options for the shape of the case but there again probably won't spend the time on that as for my purposes at the moment it works/holds/feels fine.

You can find a demo of the throttle on YouTube ( HERE ).

The print files for the case on my thingiverse.com account ( HERE ).

No printer, no problem. Tom L. …....

…..built the throttle above with an under $2.00 case ( HERE) and some wire ( HERE ) that is a little smaller gauge 22 vs. the 18 I used but he is only putting about a 7-8 ft. tether on the throttle.

A couple other links:

HandCab (modeled off a GP7/9 control stalk ( HERE )

Straight and Curved SpeedTraps ( HERE ).

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