Recent Posts

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A Lil' project from a few weeks ago I finished for a friend. 

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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.


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.
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I contacted Ring, and they confirmed that only the front ditch lights support flashing. Hopefully, a future software update will enable directional flashing. For now, I’ve disabled the horn-triggered flashing on the MP15AC, as the front ditch lights flash regardless of travel direction.
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General Discussion / Re: WTB Rail Pro Products ?
« Last post by LVRR1856 on June 03, 2025, 08:47:02 AM »
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) ....
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General Discussion / Re: WTB Rail Pro Products ?
« Last post by William Brillinger on June 02, 2025, 10:22:47 PM »
My Warehouse closing has nothing to do with RP's popularity, the 3rd party location we used went out of business because of the tariff situation. Railpro cannot be imported into Canada where I live and work, so I had a 3rd party place just across the border handling the storage and shipping. I've been recommending Scale Sounds Systems as a supplier because they have pricing that was similar to mine. RailPro has been very popular with the Large Scale crowd lately, and they still advertise in MRH, which as far as I know, is the only publication they ever advertised in. Ring has no Minimum order for dealers but order fulfillment can take 2 to 5 weeks depending on their production schedule. There is no reason your local dealer should have to wait 6 months.
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General Discussion / Re: WTB Rail Pro Products ?
« Last post by Smoke on June 02, 2025, 10:18:33 PM »
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.
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General Discussion / WTB Rail Pro Products ?
« Last post by LVRR1856 on June 02, 2025, 05:11:16 PM »
Hi All,
Still in research mode for my layout build.
Rail Pro certainly has my attention over DCC. I love the system from what I see demonstrated on you tube.

I have over 100 DC locos, 60% dcc ready (8 pin), but having a hard time kneeling to the RP alter.

When I search for vendors I only see limited stock, I see notes on some vendors sites that say -could take 6 months to get RP products,
William Ballinger warehouse is closing in US, I live 10 miles from Yankee Dabbler, they don't have any decent stock of modules.
Some other vendors have scattered assortment and limited on modules ?

Is there a problem with Rail Pro ? Is there a fear that they are checking out ?
Is there a better go-to vendor that has good stock ? or can at least order it ?

Videos on YT are 7 to 10 years old. Not much new, all have the older HC-1s & 2s, don't see any demos with the HC-3.

I don't see any ads in MR or MRC mags.

Again - I really like the system, but don't want to invest in something that is getting ready to tank out.
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: "Motor Overcurrent" error, maybe solved
« Last post by gregeusa on June 01, 2025, 09:38:57 PM »
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)
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / "Motor Overcurrent" error, maybe solved
« Last post by zr1rob on June 01, 2025, 03:46:19 PM »
it's only maybe solved because this solution isn't proved long term, but it did solve the problem of 'motor overcurrent' error popping up on the HC2 and shutting down the loco, till power reset.

Only one loco with this error: the electric G scale Accucraft GS4 has a huge Pittman motor, but it only draws ~1.5A when running normally. However, the current spike during initial movement was too much and thus the error. Put an "Inrush Current Limiter" inline with a motor lead, as well as raising the 'starting speed' for the loco solved the problem to the point the loco can be used regularly without errors. I used an Ametherm SL32 10015 Current Limiter Inrush 10 Ohm 15a. BTW: this loco is battery powered.
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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
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