Controllers
paul lane
stopped working on the right hand control. ( the left is ok).
I have tried to find if H & M still exists, but am informed they no longer
trade.
Does anyone know if repairs are possible, as I think the diode is broken as
it starts to smoke after a while, and there is a short in the system, as a
friend of mine tested it for me the other day.
My friend suggests a new circuit board would probably cure it. Are any
available does anyone know?..
Thanks Paul Lane.
civamd
Well H & M controllers are relatively easy to fix, if you can't do it yourself,
I'm sure either a model shop or electrician would be happy to oblige. If not
H & M controllers are ten a penny at swapmeets/exhibitions, and are not too
expensive. Mind you having said that I had an H & M clipper for 16 years
before I replaced it with a Gaugemaster (which is superb).
Civamd
Barry Ruck
<picl...@globalnet.co.uk> wrote:
>I have an old Hammant & Morgan Duette controller, which regretabbly has
>stopped working on the right hand control. ( the left is ok).
>I have tried to find if H & M still exists, but am informed they no longer
>trade.
>Does anyone know if repairs are possible, as I think the diode is broken as
>it starts to smoke after a while, and there is a short in the system, as a
>friend of mine tested it for me the other day.
>My friend suggests a new circuit board would probably cure it. Are any
>available does anyone know?..
>Thanks Paul Lane.
>
>
Weren't H&M bought out by Hornby ??
Regards,
======================================
Barry Ruck, Harlow, Essex.
civamd
>
> >
> >
> Weren't H&M bought out by Hornby ??
> Regards,
> ======================================
> Barry Ruck, Harlow, Essex.
>
> ba...@peterswoodharlow.freeserve.co.uk
Hornby released the H & M 2000 (range?), a couple of years back, from what I can
make out, they are nothing like the sturdy H&M controllers, but are traditional
Hornby plastic. But Hornby did buy the H&M name.
Civamd
paul lane
Many thanks for the replies regarding controllers, I shall try and get a
reasonable replacement at the next swap meet I attend, or make enquiries at
a local electricians
Paul.
R. K. MESSENT
Have you opened the case of your H&M Duette? Do you know what vintage your
ctrlr is? Some of the H&Ms had metal/selenium rectifiers and these tend to
short when they age. They also have soft asbestos formers for the
wirewound power resistor which regulates the track voltage for speed
control. They are very wasteful power units (though effective in their
day) as they work by absorbing power. You would be better advised to scrap
this unit and buy an AMR or similar modern transistorised dual unit,
which will save on consumption of electricity and give an element of
feedback control as well. Dont be upset about this. No doubt you have had
your moneysworth over the years!
Cheers,
Keith Messent
paul lane <picl...@globalnet.co.uk> wrote in article
<7cdb9r$8mj$1...@newnews.global.net.uk>...
Chris White
--
Chris White
"The best thing is, on the Internet nobody realises you're a dog."
Tim Hammond
writes
comparable in being a twin controller with no extra functions. The main
difference is that the H&M is bigger and cheaper. It works perfectly
well and is far better than previous attempts by Hornby. I am looking
forward to the new H&M 4000 which has all the fancy toys fitted, like
inertia control.
Tim
--
Hammond Publishing - Editors of Model Railway Enthusiast
Tel/Fax: 01723 506326
PO Box 199, Scarborough, YO11 3GT.
http://www.mremag.demon.co.uk/
civ...@pp.hw.ac.uk
> I
> >
> >Hornby released the H & M 2000 (range?), a couple of years back, from what I can
> >make out, they are nothing like the sturdy H&M controllers, but are traditional
> >Hornby plastic. But Hornby did buy the H&M name.
> >
> We have tested the Hornby H&M 2000 against a Gaugemaster Model D -
> comparable in being a twin controller with no extra functions. The main
> difference is that the H&M is bigger and cheaper. It works perfectly
> well and is far better than previous attempts by Hornby. I am looking
> forward to the new H&M 4000 which has all the fancy toys fitted, like
> inertia control.
>
> Tim
>
> --
> Hammond Publishing - Editors of Model Railway Enthusiast
> Tel/Fax: 01723 506326
> PO Box 199, Scarborough, YO11 3GT.
> http://www.mremag.demon.co.uk/
I am fond of my Gaugemaster DX (is it?) with inertia, braking, fine control, laser
targeting and coffee machine. but shunting using sprat and winkle couplings with the
inertia turned on is a tricky operation. Especially when you have a set of raised
coal drops, with flimsy buffers on the end!!!!!!!!
But I would be interested to see what the 4000 brings. If it is anything like the
previous Hornby offerings, it will cheap, cheerful, and go on working for years. I
hope Hornby keep up the good name of H (or should that be S?) & M.
Civamd
Hurstie
I love mine. Doesn't get used much mind.
I don't know how old it is, but I remember using it when I was a
little kiddie many many years ago. It's still boxed with instructions
as well :)
civ...@pp.hw.ac.uk
Keep it safe, they are becoming valuable in good condition now. After all
they are some of the best available.
Civamd
Tim Hammond
story.
Jim Guthrie
<T...@mremag.demon.co.uk> wrote:
Tim
>Does anyone know of someone who collects them? It might make a good
>story.
Not much of a story, but I used to collect faulty H&M point motors
which others discarded from their layouts, and rebuild them using all
the "good" bits. Unfortunately (not for me), there was always a
plentiful supply. I powered every point on an largish "N" gauge
layout in the 70's for no cost bar a bit of my time :-).
Jim.
Progressing (maybe) in S7 at www.netcomuk.co.uk/~sprocket/index.html
Paul Stevenson
j...@sprockets.co.uk (Jim Guthrie) wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Mar 1999 09:29:34 +0000, Tim Hammond
> <T...@mremag.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Tim
>
> >Does anyone know of someone who collects them? It might make a good
> >story.
>
> Not much of a story, but I used to collect faulty H&M point motors
> which others discarded from their layouts, and rebuild them using all
> the "good" bits. Unfortunately (not for me), there was always a
> plentiful supply. I powered every point on an largish "N" gauge
> layout in the 70's for no cost bar a bit of my time :-).
Yup, tell me about it! I used to rebuld the new ones I got, nothing else
was available in Weymouth in the late 70s. Bought new they used to stick
and jam, poor things really, what we used to put up with in those days.
--
Paul Stevenson
Who's just found 10 H & M point motors from an old layout!
For information about Triang/Triang-Hornby/Hornby
Railways try http://www.ttgva.com/train/
Written on an Acorn StrongArm Computer.
.................................................................
random tag line
... "Bother", said Pooh, as the vice squad took his GIFS
Civamd
> In article <36EE6EF7...@pp.hw.ac.uk>, civ...@pp.hw.ac.uk writes
> >Hurstie wrote:
> >
> >> > I'd hang onto the transformer.
> >>
> >> I love mine. Doesn't get used much mind.
> >>
> >> I don't know how old it is, but I remember using it when I was a
> >> little kiddie many many years ago. It's still boxed with instructions
> >> as well :)
> >
> >Keep it safe, they are becoming valuable in good condition now. After all
> >they are some of the best available.
> >
> >Civamd
> >
> >
> Does anyone know of someone who collects them? It might make a good
> story.
>
> Tim
>
> --
> Hammond Publishing - Editors of Model Railway Enthusiast
> Tel/Fax: 01723 506326
> PO Box 199, Scarborough, YO11 3GT.
> http://www.mremag.demon.co.uk/
Yes there is a bloke at the NYMR does.
Civamd
Rod
<T...@mremag.demon.co.uk> writes
>In article <36EE6EF7...@pp.hw.ac.uk>, civ...@pp.hw.ac.uk writes
>>Hurstie wrote:
>>
>>> > I'd hang onto the transformer.
>>>
>>> I love mine. Doesn't get used much mind.
>>>
>>> I don't know how old it is, but I remember using it when I was a
>>> little kiddie many many years ago. It's still boxed with instructions
>>> as well :)
>>
>>Keep it safe, they are becoming valuable in good condition now. After all
>>they are some of the best available.
>>
>>Civamd
>>
>>
>Does anyone know of someone who collects them? It might make a good
>story.
>
>Tim
>
mechanical and electrical servicing/overhauling of old ( and not so old
) Hornby ( and other make ) locomotives. I have recently dug out my old
OO stuff and I want to give everything a once over. If you could find an
experienced 'mechanic' to write a series of articles describing how to
do this for the more common mechanism's I'm sure it would be well
received.
--
Rod.Lancaster. Stockport. England. | For BIG model railways outdoor or inside
r.p.la...@viola.freeserve.co.uk| become a member of the G Scale society.
http://www.viola.freeserve.co.uk/gscale/index.htm
paul lane
I'm pleased to say a good friend of mine has come up trumps with my old H&M
controller. It needed new diodes and these have been replaced after much
finicky work, but it is in fine shape now. Seems my original enquiry has
generated some interest
Paul.
Tim Hammond
<j...@sprockets.co.uk> writes
>>story.
>
>which others discarded from their layouts, and rebuild them using all
>the "good" bits. Unfortunately (not for me), there was always a
>plentiful supply. I powered every point on an largish "N" gauge
>layout in the 70's for no cost bar a bit of my time :-).
>
>Progressing (maybe) in S7 at www.netcomuk.co.uk/~sprocket/index.html
That must have been impressive as the old trusty H&M motor was bigger
than most of the N gauge stock.
Incidently my local model railway club - Scarborough & District Railway
Modellers have been looking for old H&M point motors as our 'sparky'
swears by them. We are in the final stages of completing the 40 odd
foot model of Scarborough Station and we are still a few short for the
fiddle yard. It's on show early May at our local show at Scalby Parish
Hall in Scarborough.
Tim Hammond
>mechanical and electrical servicing/overhauling of old ( and not so old
>) Hornby ( and other make ) locomotives. I have recently dug out my old
>OO stuff and I want to give everything a once over. If you could find an
>experienced 'mechanic' to write a series of articles describing how to
>do this for the more common mechanism's I'm sure it would be well
>received.
We actually ran a series, at the start of last year, on that subject,
by Bernard Malton. He started with three articles (Feb 98 - Apr 98) on
what to look for when buying secondhand locos. In the May 98 to July 98
issues he looked at basic maintenance, including magnetism. I have also
planned for a future issue a nine step guide called 'Keep those wheels
turning' by John Jones. That's not likely to appear until at least the
July 99 issue.
Back issues of MRE are easily available from Linda Mitchell on 01709
515221.
Jim Guthrie
<T...@mremag.demon.co.uk> wrote:
tIM
>That must have been impressive as the old trusty H&M motor was bigger
>than most of the N gauge stock.
All mounted under the track with the operating rods poking up through
the trackbase and spring steel wire cranks operating the tiebars.
The only hint you had of their presence was the scale earthquake every
time they operated :-).>
>Incidently my local model railway club - Scarborough & District Railway
>Modellers have been looking for old H&M point motors as our 'sparky'
>swears by them. We are in the final stages of completing the 40 odd
>foot model of Scarborough Station and we are still a few short for the
>fiddle yard. It's on show early May at our local show at Scalby Parish
>Hall in Scarborough.
I don't know if I would fit them today - the Tortoise style of point
motor is very much kinder to track and quieter too. And I doubt if
the Tortoise at today's price is all that more expensive than the H&M
motor was if you take inflation into account.
I'll have a dig through the workshop at the weekend and see if I can
find any trace of the H&M bits, but it's over 25 years since I messed
around with them :-)
Tim Hammond
Tim
In article <36f25a28...@nntp.netcomuk.co.uk>, Jim Guthrie
<j...@sprockets.co.uk> writes
>I don't know if I would fit them today - the Tortoise style of point
>motor is very much kinder to track and quieter too. And I doubt if
>the Tortoise at today's price is all that more expensive than the H&M
>motor was if you take inflation into account.
>
>I'll have a dig through the workshop at the weekend and see if I can
>find any trace of the H&M bits, but it's over 25 years since I messed
>around with them :-)
>
>Jim.
>
>Progressing (maybe) in S7 at www.netcomuk.co.uk/~sprocket/index.html
--
Mark Veneman
slow-action point motor. They are rather compact, solid and quiet machines.
The mechanism relies on gears and a gearcam to achieve the slow-action
movement, it's not a screw-drive as the Lemaco and Fulgurex motors are.
Mark Veneman
Jim Guthrie
<T...@mremag.demon.co.uk> wrote:
Tim
>What do you mean by 'Tortoise'?
I see that Mark has given the full description. They are readily
available in the UK - quite a few suppliers have them in stock. The
price is about 11GBP each
Paul Stevenson
j...@sprockets.co.uk (Jim Guthrie) wrote:
> On Fri, 19 Mar 1999 17:28:44 +0000, Tim Hammond
> <T...@mremag.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Tim
>
> >What do you mean by 'Tortoise'?
>
> I see that Mark has given the full description. They are readily
> available in the UK - quite a few suppliers have them in stock. The
> price is about 11GBP each
Ye Gods!! H&M point motors were 9/6 according to a leaflet I have, you
certainly get what you pay for!
--
Paul Stevenson
For information about Triang/Triang-Hornby/Hornby
Railways try http://www.ttgva.com/train/
Written on an Acorn StrongArm Computer.
.................................................................
random tag line
... This is a Tagline mirror><rorrim enilgaT a si sihT
Jim Guthrie
<pa...@pdsteveo.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
Paul
>Ye Gods!! H&M point motors were 9/6 according to a leaflet I have, you
>certainly get what you pay for!
If you think about it, the price of 9/6 was pre-decimalisation and
the Railway Modeller was 3/- just before decimilisation. The RM is
now two quid which would, today, make your H&M point motor between
six and seven quid if the same inflation factor applied. I think I
would rather pay 11 quid for a Tortoise :-).
Jim.
Paul Stevenson
j...@sprockets.co.uk (Jim Guthrie) wrote:
Oh yes, I couldn't agree more! The time and trouble I spent getting the
things to work with any sort of reliability must have pushed the price
up more than somewhat. And then the built in switchs would break!
--
Paul Stevenson
For information about Triang/Triang-Hornby/Hornby
Railways try http://www.ttgva.com/train/
Written on an Acorn StrongArm Computer.
.................................................................
random tag line
... Here comes the orator, with his flood of words and his drop of reason.
David Breeze
>
>If you think about it, the price of 9/6 was pre-decimalisation and
>the Railway Modeller was 3/- just before decimilisation. The RM is
>now two quid which would, today, make your H&M point motor between
>six and seven quid if the same inflation factor applied. I think I
>would rather pay 11 quid for a Tortoise :-).
Plus they are easier to wire up as they use an ordinary 12VDC motor, you
don't need a CDU or the wire to handle the amps for the solenoid ones.
The only problem I found with the one I bought to try out is that they
are rather large.
--
Dave Breeze
Glasgow,
Scotland
Dick Ganderton
Or switches capable of switching the large currents.
I agree with your comments on the size of the Tortoise motors - they are
rather large and, IMHO, still need to have a microswitch installed
externally to switch the crossing vee polarity. I wouldn't trust any
built-in PCB type switch to do the job reliably.
The Fulgarex style of point motor is much neater, has proper microswitch
contacts built in, even though they are open to the elements, but
suffers from needing about 120mA instead of the Tortoise's 15mA. This
makes it more difficult to drive Fulgarex types from DCC accessory
decoders.
Years ago, when still using H&M motors, I used to completely rebuild
them. I Loctited the screws holding the coils to the base and top plate,
after aligning everything properly, to prevent them coming undone with
the vibration of the solenoid banging hard over. The lousy switch was
removed and thrown away and a CD unit used to provide about 30V to
guarantee a full throw.
Anthony New
very much! Variable resistance controllers are just about the worst
possible types, and give lousy speed control. I've been designing &
building electronic speed controllers of just about all kinds for thirty
years, and once you've tried a good electronic pulse or feedback
controller you won't want to go back to the Duette.
I have a soft spot for the Duette, as it was a capable and handsome
controller for its day, but technology has moved on. However the
controller is still very useful as a safe low-voltage AC power source.
I recommend disconnecting the damaged circuit and using the box and
transformer, replacing the cover with a plain one (or even leaving it on
if you wish) and connecting both of the two transformer outputs (without
rectifiers) to the sides (or back sockets) - currently only one side
socket has an AC output and the other is DC.
You can then drive two decent controllers independantly!
Hope this is of interest.
Anthony.