I know I have asked about adding the Notch ± buttons as options for the real buttons (when the HC-3 was first released and again last week), not sure if anyone else has requested this or not. I'm on the fence about purchasing a HC-3 and this would get me off the fence to buy one.

Quote from: CPRail on January 31, 2024, 08:37:30 AM

Really liking the new controller look, but I can't justify the cost to upgrade. Wonder if we can convince Ring to do a trade-in program??

Seconded!

I asked about this in my recent email conversation, and I was offered a 30-day window to return my HC-2 and upgrade to the HC-3 at a discounted price.

Thanks for your replies - certainly encouraging. I can see that it is very popular among the large scale users, hence the lack of visibility in smaller scale mags. Makes sense. Also I can understand low stocking of a product that isn't as popular as dcc, again makes sense from a business view.

I will try Scale Sound Systems - searches did not land me to them when searching RP. Sounds like (no pun) a win win for speaker needs and RP stuff.

Excellent - thanks again Smoke and William for the information, I think I have one leg over the fence .... LOL, can't wait to try it. (Got to build something first) ....

RailPro is a solid system with a loyal following, but it’s true that Ring Engineering keeps a relatively low profile. They don’t advertise heavily in magazines or attend trade shows, so the overall visibility is much lower compared to the big DCC brands. That said, from what I understand, Ring discontinued EOT production specifically to focus more on RailPro — and there’s no indication that the system is going anywhere.

I used to do all my RailPro ordering through Bill (who also graciously hosts this forum), but now that Scale Sound Systems has become a RailPro vendor (https://www.scalesoundsystems.com/railpro?page=2), I’ll start ordering from JT. I recently added an LM-3S-21 module to a speaker order and received everything promptly — no delays.

My hobby time is pretty limited these days, so I can’t speak in detail to how current vendor stock compares to past years. But I’ve had no issues getting what I need recently.

If you’d like to try out the system with a minimal upfront investment, consider purchasing a CL-1 and a module — you can then operate a locomotive directly from your computer using the HC Simulator.

There’s a helpful community here and on the RailPro Facebook group with plenty of users who are happy to share advice on installs, wiring, and sound setup.

The Pittman motors used in Accucraft are technically servo motors, used for rapid movement.

To generate quick and low rpm torque they draw big spikes of current from stopped.

Your solution is the right one, although I'll bet even a 5 or even 1 ohm resistor would have done the trick. You might have issues pulling heavy trains and the 10 ohm resistor "eats" too much of your voltage (voltage = rpm in an electric motor)

This unfortunately has always been the case. I don't remember if I contacted Ring about it or not at the time I wrote about it in my ditch lights guide 9 - 10 years ago but it was around then when I stopped myself slipping forwards in era so ultimately I didn't care about it any further because I don't need ditch lights.

Your best bet is to ask Ring "Why aren't flashing ditch lights on horn directional?"

- Tim