Here's an assortment of DIY cabs and cab accessories for DC layouts: Throttles, an "Output Scaler" (throttle add-on) and a power-pack add-on using readily available parts from your local Radio Shack (usually, RS part nos. are shown in parentheses)and others. You can experience fantastic low-speed operation with Programmable Pulse Power or try Single-Knob control -- clockwise to go forward, counterclockwise to move in reverse -- great for switching!.

Many of these throttles are based on the popular LM317, LM337 and LM340-series voltage regulator ICs. Hand-held controls would typically be connected to the remaining circuitry with a good ol' everyday telephone handset coil cord (your choice of length and color), or an equivalent cable, and would be housed in a plastic "project box" (also from RS, Jameco, etc.). Parts are not particularly critical, so substitutions are certainly permitted (exceptions are noted).

If you'd like to add a voltmeter and/or an ammeter to your DC throttle, it's easy -- just find a place to mount them and don't forget to connect them before the direction control. Jameco has some meters approx. 2.5" square that would work nicely: consider a 0-15VDC meter and/or a 0-5ADC meter (they also have smaller versions); if you want something that measures 2 amps or so full-scale, you'll have to use a milliammeter with a "shunt." Personally, I've never found meters all that useful; on the other hand, I think an "Overload Indicator" can be quite useful (although not quite as glitzy). I've recently added a design for just such an Overload Indicator; it should be usable with most any DC throttle design and is fairly simple. Best of all, the current "overload" point is fully adjustable from 0-10 amps, and it requires only the addition of an 0.1 ohm resistor in series with the output (but before the direction control).

MEMORY WALK-AROUND THROTTLE w/ PROGRAMMABLE PULSE POWER		IMPROVED "SINGLE-KNOB" MEMORY THROTTLE (no FWD/REV switch)		"PACEMATIC" THROTTLE by Peter Thorne
A VERY SIMPLE THROTTLE (VST)		The VERY SIMPLE THROTTLE (VST) w/ TETHERED WALKAROUND CONTROL (TWAC)		The VST w/ TWAC & MOMENTUM
TWAC & MOMENTUM ADD-ON for COMMERCIAL POWER PACKS (eg, MRC)		HIGH-CURRENT, HIGHER-VOLTAGE THROTTLE w/ TETHERED WALKAROUND CONTROL		"NOT A THROTTLE" OUTPUT SCALER (NAT)
OVERLOAD INDICATOR		PARTS LISTING FOR RADIO SHACK & JAMECO		ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING TUTORIALS
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The MEMORY WALKAROUND THROTTLE w/ PROGRAMMABLE PULSE POWER above (a/k/a "THE Throttle")
offers superb low-speed starts and control. Try it -- only one little IC.

If you run into problems, or would like to try some variations, I'll try to help -- just send me an Email.

ENJOY!

Updated 6-19-07