Stan,
I stand corrected. Thank you.
Petvet posted:I see it differently Barry. In the past month, I have spent about $800 on a TIU, Wifi unit, AIU, terminal blocks and a PS3 engine. None of that would have been spent on MTH products had I not believed that the app/tablet controller could run both HO conventional and command controlled engines. I would have stayed with my MRH and NEC set-up. The videos of Mike on-line and their marketing all promote the capabilities to run both types of engines. It wasn't until I read your book that I found out that this only pertained to AC operated engines.
So, there is quite a bit of profit out their for MTH to include HO DC conventional run engine owners who want to use the app exclusively for operation. Can you imagine how many HO conventional engines are still being run, and when those owners see what DSC, the app, and PS3 engines can do, I think they would spend some money with MTH just as I did.
Wow. Spirited discussion. I think it's been clarified that MTH has and continues to offer HO engines that only operate on conventional DC. We call these DCC ready as they have the NMRA standard connector for reasonably simple installation of aftermarket decoders. Out of the box, they run on conventional DC voltage manipulation like any other conventional HO engine.
Straight from the horses mouth (or, maybe the other end) we will have a conventional DC solution in the coming year. That is, you will be able to use the app to vary DC voltage and polarity on the rails via the app.
We also have come close, a few times, to building a DCS upgrade module (pcb) that user's could install in DCC ready engines that would include operation under conventional DC, DCS, or DCC, similar to what our current engines support. This board could be installed into MTH or other manufacturers engines as well just like a decoder only it would include DCS.
From what you're saying, it sounds like you think this would be of interest to the HO market at large. I think the deterrent has been physical size and cost limitations. We could do something pretty easily for wide body diesels but, having a dozen form factors for the various manufacturers specific engines is daunting. We are having a hard time believing the sales would support the effort. In talking with other HO manufacturers and from our own sales, conventional engine sales are a small fraction overall. Customers want sound and digital control installed by the factory.
Thank you for the insight MTH RD.
I"m not that interested in adding boards to an already Dc engine, but I still want to run what I own. I'd prefer to run all my engines using one platform. I believe DSC is the platform for me. If only the variable channels would allow DC, I could run everything I own on a smart phone or tablet using MTH's app (at least without modifications) There are a lot of us HO guys out there. I'm just say'n.
Not to mention all the N-gauge, G-gauge, etc. guys running DC conventional!
Will be quite interesting to see what MTH comes up with. Two thing that an app should be able to handle.
1. All HO DC throttles have direct positive-off-negative control of direction. The existing DCS method for using an AC-variable channel has the "toggle" mentality to direction control. I'd think the app could/should have FWD/REV control rather than a "CHANGE DIRECTION" button - or perhaps offer a choice.
2. Momentum control! The better (more expensive?) HO throttles can automatically ramp up or ramp down the DC voltage for smooth acceleration/deceleration usually with adjustable "slope" or whatever you want to call it. I'd think this feature would be pretty simple to implement in an app.
