The DC Co-Pilot System by MR Innovations Ltd Available early 2024
A DC Controller with Record & Playback.
Taking DC to a new level.
Teach your co-pilot and let them take control!!
" You have done an absolutely fantastic job " - Hornby
" Very Impressive " - Peco
" Ideal for DC " - Charlie Bishop
No Laptop, Easy Retrofit, No Soldering, No Cutting Tracks, no diodes to fit. Designed in UK (patented)
The Co-Pilot System allows you to manually operate your DC Layout while recording the speed, direction, waiting times, points and signals.
Stop wait and reverse wherever you like.
Afterwards you can playback the routine once or on perpetual repeat. No computer or laptop required.
Ideal for the film maker as exactly the same routine can be filmed from different angles with one camera.
Create Storylines - so much more realistic than simple end to end shuttle or just going round and round.
All you have to do is fit a small magnet on any loco and one or more checkpoints between the rails that the magnet can pass over and generate reference points.
The Checkpoints are invisible so as not to impact on the appearance of your layout, ballast etc.
On playback the checkpoint signals correct any slippage so that the playback matches the recording with outstanding accuracy.
No complicated wiring, no cutting tracks, no fitting of diodes in fact no soldering is required.
Installation is simple and easy to retro-fit on an existing DC Layout.
Suitable for O, OO, TT120 and N Gauges.
The installation process for these detection checkpoints is straightforward, designed to be easily implemented by users regardless of their expertise level. By employing this method, the Model Railway Automation system ensures a hassle-free and user-friendly experience, minimizing complexities while maximizing the system's efficiency.
Users can enjoy the flexibility of creating and executing diverse train movement routines, fostering a dynamic and captivating railway environment.
YouTube clip of a recorded routine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fgWfkE2asw
YouTube clip of Peter Jones more Elaborate layout showing playback of a more complex routine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liTzJtae-Lo
When you press record - A - on the handheld unit the loco moves automatically to the first checkpoint and records that as DATUM. All following movements, reverses, waiting periods and points operations are recorded as a time line and at the end of the routine press manual C to save the recording. Make sure the loco is in the same zone between checkpoints that it was when you recorded. Only points operations are recorded first time.
To play back the recording press – B -. The loco must be in the same zone between checkpoints that it as when the recording was done so that the first checkpoint on playback is the same one as that encountered for the recording so that everything is synchronised.
When you are happy with the routine you can add the signals to the recording. Signals can flashing (level crossing) or fixed (Red or Green)
Enter 130 to record signals.
At the end of the playback press C for Manual operation. This embeds the signals routine in with the recording.
Next time you play back the routine the signals will be included.
In Manual mode you can enter 125, and the routine will repeat over and over.
There are other commands in the manual for setting up the layout and some loco features such as acceleration.
There is short-circuit protection and reverse polarity protection built in.
The # (hash) key is Emergency Stop
There are 3 units – and you can add extra points and lights boards.
1) The Control box this can be mounted anywhere, it has 2 lights but you don’t need to see them if its inconvenient.
2) The handheld or ‘mobile’ unit. This has the keypad and the speed control and connects via 2 wires to the controller. We are developing a bluetooth App that replaces the mobile unit if required.
3) The points & Signals board. These boards connect to the controller by 2 wires and have 6 output channels. The outputs channels can be configured for points, flashing lights or signal lights in any combination. Extra points and signals boards can be daisy-chained. The system will manage up to 25 points, plus 25 lights which may be either flashing as warnings, or fixed Red/Green signals.
The power supply is 15v at 2 Amps although 12v will work with slightly reduced top speed.