Morley and Gaugemaster model railway controllers compared. How a controller works.

An in depth look at analogue DC controllers focusing on the Gaugemaster model D and the Morley Vector Zero 2. Also how these model train controllers work. We try to find out why the GM produces such good slow speed control. I am not a technician, findings and views are my own. This is a long video with many technical discussions hopefully put in simple terms.

19thApril Hi again, I am pleased to say that today I have adapted the Morley to perform just as well as the Gaugemaster. This is done at the cost of maximum speed (just a little) as the output was higher. I am still finalizing components and then will consider making a 'how to video' but experience and understanding in transistor isolation, component identification and a means of testing capacitors to get a balanced pair will be essential.

Update re the GM, I spoke with the engineer who asked me to bring my controller in, he fixed the hum while I waited :) what great and open customer service.

I've removed ref to the disagreement Morley had with me as I think time has moved on and it's in the past now.

Final update: After extensive testing the adapted Morley is now my controller of choice. Having two independent transformers means no interference with each track channel. #modelrailways #modelrailroad #modeltrains

[bluevanimaging]

Just came across this video, very useful in explaining the way the controllers operate. Your oscilloscope was a good way of showing how the slow speed running with the gaugemaster D is obtained. I recently bought one of these and the slow speed running with a variety of DC locos has the edge on the H&M controllers I was using before. You put a very thorough technical case together about these controllers which is very helpful.

[lestercooper]

Hi Mike, Just like to say Thank You for a very informative video .I know nothing about wave forms or the such, and i found this really interesting .

[playpaulbee]

Thanks Mike, excellent background there, it's really helpful for folks to understand this, I think with DCC it's getting very plug and play (nowt wrong with that!) but it's important to get some of the theory, behind why we do what we do.

[stephensmith]

Just ordered Gaugemaster on the strength of your research. Many thanks

[johngibson]

So its virtually hum and smoothness or no hum with slight hesitation &
I suppose up to what you need and slow speed control I suppose .. I think the hum i could live with the hum as not all locos that are not so close to you it wouldnt be so bad.
Anyhoo thanks again for the awesome video's and technical info you put out for us all to watch. We all learn something new every time we watch stuff from the guru's of wealth of knowledge.
So Cheers from John in Australia.😎😎😎😎

[stupidlogic]

Small point for accuracy: UK mains voltage is 230v RMS, not peak. Peak voltage is ~325v.

[eddiestafford]

Thanks for your video....very well explained and presented. Most informative!!

[sewingman]

Thank you Mike for this video, like Barrie Davies I run Gaugemaster hand held units but mine are all feedback, they work stunningly well with all my Hornby Dublo / Wrenn locos. Richard.

[Alexander_Sth]

Hi, very important question... How many excact minimal volts could provide Gaugemaster? As I understand it has halfway feature?

[kmobile]

Many years ago I built a pulse width modulated controller. Are these manufactured?
What this did was supply 12V at 100hz but only as a short pulse so the motor always received 12v giving max torque at slow speed.
To increase speed the pulses were just expanded untill the output was smooth 12V DC.

[mewsdo]

Very interesting! Thanks for that wonderful explanation/demonstration...

[Alexander_Sth]

Dear Mike, thank you very much for your video. You done very good work, explanation and testing, nobody except you do such a useful things. Keep going. Now I see how Gaugemaster work and see voltage. It became with 20 mv, than jump to 300 mv and only than could be smoothly regulated. Well, I would like to say, I expected long handle range at least from 20 mv but that is not possible here until 300 mv. For coreless we need stable work range at least 30-50 mv. Also problem with handle, that is too small, too short work range between 0.3-2 v, even if potentiometer-transistor could, we do not have instrument for hand. Anyway I see that this controller is really one of the top, because it works from 300 mv and does it job well. It is not easy to find thing with such strong start.
Seems it works like halfwave which give your motor unvelievable torque for start and delete "sticky" moments of rotor. I wish to see you compair the differense of this technologies.
Now I make my own chart for best controllers "without borders" for coreless motors:
- Titan 825 (200 mv)
- Gaugemaster (transistor)
- Teichmann Fahrregler (if you write me email I can send circuit)
- Heisswolf 300, 1000, 2000
- Trix 5599 (+ potentiometer Vishay depending on start voltage)

Guess Gauge, Teichmann and Heisswolf would be the best. No idea how work Titan, but normal halfwave models use standard brush with halfwave components. Very interesting you opinion of this controllers.

[chrisvaughan]

Very interesting Mike. It occurs to me to wonder which would be better to run DCC equipped loco's, something I am considering.

[paull]

Thank you Mike, Really found this informative and helpful cheers fella

[ooairmonkey]

This is a great video to allow people who know nothing or very little of electronics (like me) to wrap their heads around how the electronics in train controllers work. Especially the part where you show "what the train sees" in the oscilloscope; it's much clearer when you can actually see it like that: how the circuit is limiting the output, thus controlling the loco's speed.
I found your video because I'm looking to buy a better controller for my trains but I haven't much money to spend... So I was thinking about older, secondhand controllers on eBay. I see you have an H&M right outside of shot and I was actually thinking of getting a Clipper because I remember they were good and are now going for very cheap, but the consensus on forums seems to be that their current output is overkill for modern locos and that one is better off with newer controllers. So my question is: what controller would you recommend that's good but won't burn a hole in my wallet or my locos (as it were ☺️)? Thanks in advance!

[tonydaly]

Fantastic video Mike. What would happen if you connected up the old H & M unit that I saw in the background ?

[Frobard]

Thanks for a great scientific test of your controllers. It saved me a lot of money too, since I was planning to get a Morley controller. Now I'll stick to my GM DS and Hornby HM2000 (and GM feedback for some old locos).
/Anders
(I hope you get hold of a good PWM controller one day, so you'll be able to show us how good or bad such a contraption would be in comparison to these controllers)

[letzterinstanz]

Remarkable video, Mike. Shows how far 'standard' DC controllers have advanced in the 12 or so years I went over to DCC. What is interesting is that at the beginning of my DCC use, the smoothness at starting (using Prodigy Advance & Lenz Silver decoders) always produced a very slight starting 'jolt'. These days, with Zimo equipment, this doesn't happen, of course. But to start, I felt that DCC was not as good as DC, particularly as I used H&M 'Walkabout' controllers whose starting ability and acceleration and deceleration smoothness (Lima EE Type 4, scale 0 - 80 mph took 9.25 minutes) has not timewise been equalled. Are they still available under a different name?

[malcolmhodgson]

Thank you!!! Confirmed what I suspected that the D was not put DC and used an effect similar to PWM to pulse the motor. But using a rising voltage and fixed pulse width instead of fixed voltage variable pulse width.
Like you I want the hand held of the morley and the control of the model D. I will add a 5 pin din to a model D and make my own hand held controller.
Love my model D. Thanks for the excellent video insight.

[monham]

Really interesting and informative.
I'm running almost exclusively older X.04 engines so the Morley would be my choice.