*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Aren't these outdated, what with all the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. by
(bottom include)
JamesRobertIngram.com
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