Deadmans Switch

Remote Control

Deadmans Switch - update

For those who have built a Trojan they have probably followed the instructions for fitting a deadmans switch. The trouble with the original instructions was it was fitted in to the ignition switch wire to cut the power. The trouble with this was the 4qd controller has a lock out to stop you accidentally plugging in the controller with it at full power.

The trouble with this was if you let go for a brief moment you sometimes had to turn the controller to zero before restarting. This proved particularly difficult for younger drivers to grasp as proved many times on our railways.

By following the diagram below and putting the deadmans switch on the centre wire of the pot, you have a deadmans switch which works by affectively turning the pot to zero. If you have the ramp down switch turned on, when you let go of the switch the engine slows down slowly rather than the rapid shut down.

This also means if you do let go by mistake you simply re-press the deadmans to carry on. Believe me this saves a lot of confusion, especially to novice drivers.

Remote Control

Finally, after purchasing a remote controll package at the Wembley show in January, I have the beginings of a remote control controller. The idea of this project was to provide a unit which could be plugged into the standard bulgin socket on a Trojan in place of a hand controller.

For simplicity I opted to use a servo to drive a 10k pot which keeps the electronics of the remote control seperate from those of the 4qd controller.

I have also managed to get the second servo to throw a switch for reverse.

Great fun driving by remote control but it is coupled with problems. - The amount of metal and other voltages around seem to intefer with the signal. Our remote control is not powerful enough or I haven't got it set up right to work the full length of the garden.

Anyone who decides to have a play with remote control, I wouldn't recommend letting the remote having access to top speed. If you get interference you could see your engine shoot off at dangerous pace.

Paul Middleton