*m*e*n*u | Ingram Autocontrols
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Some
frequently-asked questions
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- Q:
Aren't these outdated, what with all
the modern electronics?
A: No . . . especially not for a
temporary indoor display.
The big advantage is that these
electromechanical controls are
relatively simple & rugged. Any
problems that might develop, you can
solve yourself. You don't have to
worry about burning out some
electronic circuit, that was made by
some vendor who is no longer in
business. More comments in Advantages/Disadvantages
Of These Electro-Mechanical
Controls
on the 'About' page.
- Q:
Do you recommend these controls for
outdoor layouts?
A: No. I do not recommend these for
outdoors. I recommend them mainly
adding "action" to your indoor
displays.
I am not convinced that model
railroad mechanisms and dirt are a
good combination. The problem is
keeping the rear switch operating
reliably. More comments in Comments
About Reliability - Outdoor
Operation
on the 'About' page.
- Q:
Do you sell assembled units?
A: No. I currently am not promoting
assembled units. But all plans are
available free on this website;.
Building things is one of the many
talents at which I do NOT excel. For
people who don't want to build their
own, there is often the "club
wizard" who builds thing for
members. I will be happy to provide
any technical support that I can, to
your "club wizard" or whomever is
the builder.
-----MORE RAMBLING:
The most recent cost estimates for
the parts for the Model 206 2-track
yard (Mar 2007, as shown on the parts
lists
on the drawings page) is about $233
for the Control Unit and $254 for
the front track unit. Based on these
costs, I would request about $400
for an assembled Control Unit and
$400 for an assembled front track
unit. (And the track unit is
horrendous to ship; that's another
discussion)
Based on these costs, your "club
wizard" can probably assemble these
controls both better and cheaper.
- Q:
Can our club test one of these
Automatic Yards on our displays?
A. Yes . .. if you live somewhere
not too far from the Mid-Atlantic
region (i.e. Pennsylvania).
I am currently attempting to find
clubs that will let me run one of
these Automatic Yards on one of
their displays. My hope is to get a
lot of the club's members acquainted
with how these units operate, by
first hand observation. Please
contact me
if you think your club might be
willing to consider allowing me to
demonstrate one on their displays.
-----MORE RAMBLING:
From 1993 thru 1997 I dumped a bunch
of money into magazine ads, and
attempted to sell videotapes showing
how these controls worked, and
drawings showing how to make them.
This effort turned out to be
basically an exercise in "pissing
into the wind".
I found there was more interest
generated when I just just running
them on a display, without
attempting to advertise them . . .
where people could just OBSERVE
FIRSTHAND much "action" they added
to the display.
This is the reason I hope to be able
to demonstrate them on some clubs'
displays.
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This page
originated 2007, modified 3/24/2007 (20F17) by
(bottom include)
JamesRobertIngram.com
, Williamsport
PA, Apache Junction AZ
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