Model Control Devices

[yacht boy]

After more than a year trying to get my money back for goods that have not been delivered I tried the Better Business Bureau here in Canada.
They just got back to me saying the business failed to respond. :eek: What the :censored: am I supposed to do now?
So anyone thinking of buying there stuff I would recomend you check out this report, http://ottawa.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=146&bbb=0117&firm=30816
And exercise extreme caution.

[smart_racer]

Thanks for the heads up...I will put that company in the same file as Scale&RC Boat

[Kmot]

I read the BBB report. THREE unanswered complaints in the past year!

You ordered and paid for merchandise, they never shipped it, and they won't respond to you OR EVEN the BBB???

That is terrible business practices! Thanks for the heads up about this company.

[Tregurtha1013]

That shocks me. I bought some ESCs from them about a year ago, they were very helpful and I had no problems with them at all. Good ESCs too.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

It is a little shocking.
Not sure what he is doing to it, ...but,
I have a friend that gets his MCD repaired every time he breaks it.

Sends it in , and they send it back repaired.

[cochranm]

Same problem, I ordered 2-SC480 speed controls from them on 1/04/08. Talked to them on 2/6/08 and they said they are in the mail (3RD time).
No response from emails now. Glad I used my American Express Card!
DO NOT DO ANY BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE!!!

[der kapitan]

It is a little shocking.
Not sure what he is doing to it, ...but,
I have a friend that gets his MCD repaired every time he breaks it.

Sends it in , and they send it back repaired.
An eye-opener on this bad report. :eek:

I've known the owner of MCD for over 20 years, have done a lot of business with him, and am somewhat surprised---. :o

[k225]

I guess I'm not the only one then, I have had no response re: a SC480 I sent back a number of months ago. The owner was intially very helpful but nothing since. I'm disappointed especially since I try to support Canadian companies.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

An eye-opener on this bad report. :eek:

I've known the owner of MCD for over 20 years, have done a lot of business with him, and am somewhat surprised---. :o

What, that he does free repairs quickly?
:cool:

[der kapitan]

What, that he does free repairs quickly?
:cool:
No Umi, that he apparently is being a bad vendor---. :o

[yacht boy]

If someone nearby could ask around I would appreciate some info, one comment I got in a rare reply was that Dan had not been well. While I sympathise its not a good enough reason to hang on to my $400.

[norgale]

$400 bucks! Ouch.

[wrk134]

I do not have the 8 switch function controller that I odered from Model Control Devices (I ordered it before News Years Day). Hmm...another story.

The rest of the story.
:) I ordered a 8 switch function controller just before News Years Day ( blog = wrk134) called month later and talked to Dan. :confused: Dan said Keypad switches hadn't arrived yet and would send them out following Sat. Month Later = still no 8SFC. :mad: Called again after receiving cerdit card statement, which show MCD charged me for 2 8SFC's $107.20 x 2. Talked to Dan again. :eek: Dan said he would straighten out the billing issue and again said he would ship the 8SFC this weekend. RRRIGHTTT. :censored:

[Steve Ebel]

I am sorry to hear of your bad experiences with Model Control Devices. Over the past 6-7 years, I have purchased a number of MCD speed controls and Switch 8 units -- some directly from Dan and some from Loyalhanna Dockyard. I have always been pleased with their quality and reliability. Whenever I have had issues (due to my own misuse) I would email Dan and he would email back promptly. I did have to send one unit back to him for repair, and Dan was very responsive.

I'm not trying to excuse any bad performance of late, and I really don't know what's happening with him, but I suppose it's the nature of a small hobby business, that if the main man is sick, the business gets neglected. I don't want to give up on him, though, because he has made a great contribution to the RC scale electric boat scene. There are not many manufacturers or suppliers who provide what he has produced.

I hope to hear soon that he is back up and running -- and responding to his customers like he used to do.

Steve Ebel

[ThrustTugKeith]

I agree with the illness thing. I only "met" Dan in Toledo, but I thought him a wonderful person. Somethings definately not right, I mean REALLY not right.

Scott

[Bobslr]

I'm really sorry to see this,They make a good product and I've always had good luck with them in the past.
Bob

[der kapitan]

If you own a hobby business that is a one-man operation, and that person is out sick, there will DEFINITELY be a problem---. ;)

[retoabcr]

Stay clear of such situation, unclear.

[smart_racer]

...yes, let your customers/buyers know if there is a problem, it may be difficult in some situations, but it will help with the unknow and head scratch guessing

[ThrustTugKeith]

<<When people are left hanging, it reflects on all the vendors as to trust whom!>>

Fair enough...but what if its a catastrophic thing...like (heaven forbid) that Dan has passed, and his wife cant cope with ANYTHING, AND THEIRS NO OTHER ADULTS THAT ARE BEING TOLD ABOUT THE BUSINESS?

Instead of slandering the guy all over the site, like you've done, wait till you have the REAL facts , BEFORE you go shoot off like a loose cannon.

If you ran a business by yourself, went skiing in Aspen, fell and went into a coma for 1, 2 ,3, weeks or more...would you like to come back , only to find someone was purposely slandering YOUR name all over (god knows HOW many sites you've done this on) the net??? I would not.

When you FINALLY get the right facts...do let us know.

[Prins Willem]

After more than a year trying to get my money back for goods that have not been delivered I tried the Better Business Bureau here in Canada.
They just got back to me saying the business failed to respond. :eek: What the :censored: am I supposed to do now?
So anyone thinking of buying there stuff I would recomend you check out this report, http://ottawa.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=146&bbb=0117&firm=30816
And exercise extreme caution.

A year or more is extreme even in the worst possible scenario. A business could not survive unattended for that long. Bills and taxes must be paid, Property has to be cared for, vendors and customers must be dealt with.

From the posts it appears the Better Business Bureau had no success in arbitrating the issue. If the company is sitting on money without delivering product (or at least a good explanation) it may be time to contact the state/province department of consumer protection. At some point the issue has to go beyond poor business practice to criminal activity.

[norgale]

I agree with Prins Willem. $400 isn't exactly parking meter change and he is entitled to an explaination at least. Barring that then legal action would be appropriate. You can't take people's money and not deliver the goods. That's fraud and can carry prison time. Pete

[yacht boy]

Instead of slandering the guy all over the site, like you've done, wait till you have the REAL facts , BEFORE you go shoot off like a loose cannon.

How exactly have I slandered the guy :confused:
How exactly did I shoot off like a loose canon :confused:

I suggest you read the thread from the begining.
I simply suggested that people exercise caution, I have not and would not say anything more.
What more REAL facts would you like?
Dan took the money in December 2006 for goods he did not have at the time.
In October 2007 Dan admitted he still did not have the goods and promised to return the funds on the card. At the end of the month he said he had been ill and was behind on paperwork and again promissed a refund. That was the last I heard from him despite repeated emails and phone calls. :mad:
It was 8 months before he said he was ill, twice he promised to refund the money and now he will not even talk to the BBB.
You will see from the thread it was me that asked if anyone could find out what is happening. He is still around as he is still taking money from people, see post #6 in this thread.
It is very noble of you to protect the mans reputation, but what about the people who are loosing money? From the BBB and this thread there are at least five of us.
I would hate to see anyone else loose money if I can help it.
That is why I started this thread.

[ThrustTugKeith]

I dont believe heresay...I think you are getting more satisfaction blowing off steam on this forum, using the guise of "making sure no-one else loses any money".

How many other sites did you post that horrible stuff ?

[yacht boy]

<<When people are left hanging, it reflects on all the vendors as to trust whom!>>

Fair enough...but what if its a catastrophic thing...like (heaven forbid) that Dan has passed, and his wife cant cope with ANYTHING, AND THEIRS NO OTHER ADULTS THAT ARE BEING TOLD ABOUT THE BUSINESS?

Instead of slandering the guy all over the site, like you've done, wait till you have the REAL facts , BEFORE you go shoot off like a loose cannon.

If you ran a business by yourself, went skiing in Aspen, fell and went into a coma for 1, 2 ,3, weeks or more...would you like to come back , only to find someone was purposely slandering YOUR name all over (god knows HOW many sites you've done this on) the net??? I would not.

When you FINALLY get the right facts...do let us know.

Keith,
The look and feel of this post seems a little agresive, with all the shouting (capital letters) and the tone you use. I know it is possible to miss-read things over the internet.
In this and my previous reply I try not to be inflamitory and I do not mean to offend. I am simply trying to put the facts (as I see them) out there.
If I did I apologise.
If you have some other point of view I would like to hear it.

[yacht boy]

I dont believe heresay...I think you are getting more satisfaction blowing off steam on this forum, using the guise of "making sure no-one else loses any money".

How many other sites did you post that horrible stuff ?

NONE

[yacht boy]

I dont believe heresay...I think you are getting more satisfaction blowing off steam on this forum, using the guise of "making sure no-one else loses any money".

How many other sites did you post that horrible stuff ?

It is not hearsay, it is my personal experience.
Check out the BBB site, I am not the only one.

Why do you choose to attack me?

[bigford]

the guy RIPPED him off for $400 bucks, he has a right to be
pi$$ed off. i understand being sick, but there is a limit to how long
it takes to do the right thing. now the the bbb has marked him as
a risk to do business with. tough on him boo hoo :mad:
i for one am glad that people can find out about people like this.

ThrustTugKeith if this guy's a friend of yours you might want to inform
him he is making a lot of people mad!! and if he's not a friend
dont worry about what people have to say about him :)

[Prins Willem]

ThrusttugKeith,

By my count there are four people on this post who have had problems with MCD. From wkr134's post it appears the billing department is operating. If I was waiting a year for $400.00 worth of merchandise I'd be livid. Passing along negative experiences is just as valuable as passing on positive ones. If you are a friend of the owner of MCD do him a favor and light a fire under him. He needs ship the products or refund the money.

As for you accusing yacht boy of slandering MCD do you know if anything yacht boy said is untrue? Try looking at the situation from the customer's point of view. Yea, he may be ill but that doesn't excuse holding money for product he can't deliver.

[ThrustTugKeith]

Forget it...I'm done with it.

[norgale]

I dont believe heresay...I think you are getting more satisfaction blowing off steam on this forum, using the guise of "making sure no-one else loses any money".

How many other sites did you post that horrible stuff ?

Easy to say when it's not your money.

[smart_racer]

norgale...how very true

[wrk134]

Well well will wonders never cease? :) My 8 switch function controller has arrived, all the way from Canada too. Must have been waiting for the snow so the dogsled team could get here. Any way it's here. Looks like a quality piece of work. Still waiting from my cerdit card poeple to see if the extra charge has been remove.

[yacht boy]

Glad to hear you got your stuff wrk134.
That means Dan is still in business (still healthy) and there is still a chance I may get my money back.

[der kapitan]

Glad to hear you got your stuff wrk134.
That means Dan is still in business (still healthy) and there is still a chance I may get my money back.

I hope you get things straightened out too. I'd hate to see another quality supplier go down in flames---. ;)

[yacht boy]

Thanks Kapitan,
and be assured I will let you all know if it gets resolved.
In the mean time, more emails and phone calls. :(

[der kapitan]

Thanks Kapitan,
and be assured I will let you all know if it gets resolved.
In the mean time, more emails and phone calls. :(
Yacht boy, I just sent you a PM---.

[cochranm]

WRK134 & Yachtboy
My 2-SC480 ESC,s showed up Yesterday!!! Dan has been down with a bad back, but now is back to filling orders. Now I also have to clear up the double charge on my credit card (amex), any progress on getting yours cleared up?

Mike

[yacht boy]

Maybe he's double charging you guys so he can refund me :rolleyes:
I still have not heard anything.
I'll get the wife to phone him again.
Thanks for the info and let us know if you get your refund.

[wrk134]

I won't known if my credit card has been credited for two more weeks.

[norgale]

Can' you look it up on line? Most CC companies and banks have websites where you can view your account at anytime you want. pete

[der kapitan]

Can' you look it up on line? Most CC companies and banks have websites where you can view your account at anytime you want. pete

Or, if it's critical, you can phone the number on the back of your card. ;)

[wrk134]

The C.C. poeple want me to wait for 2 more weeks.

[wrk134]

The latest on my quest to retrevie my money MCD.

Even though I have recieved the 8 switch controller (3 month-ish later)
Dan has yet to credit my account for the extra billing, $107.95.

Now finally the C.C. company will offically recognized the problem. So the paper work is just now being filed.

If this Thread reads like a saga...it's because it is.

[smart_racer]

spending your money for a product is...quick!...trying to get it back because of a vendor problem is ...slow!...hope it works out

[frankg]

:) WRK134- I thought I would let you and anyone who gets into the trouble you are having with a purchase of a product paid for with a credit card. The law is a seller can only hold up a order for what ever reason for 30 days after the card is run, unless you the buyer agrees to wait for the product for a specified time. Be forewarned that you only have 90 days to file a complaint with the credit card company for a charge back from the seller. Also if you order something from a seller, ask if it is in stock and when it will be shipped. Also tell the seller not to charge the card until the day he ships the goods to you. Items coming out of CANADA can take up to two weeks to get through customs and to you. If they do not arrive at your door step two weeks after the seller said he shipped the goods out, notify the credit card company and ask for a charge back on your card, do not wait. :)

[der kapitan]

:) WRK134- I thought I would let you and anyone who gets into the trouble you are having with a purchase of a product paid for with a credit card. The law is a seller can only hold up a order for what ever reason for 30 days after the card is run, unless you the buyer agrees to wait for the product for a specified time. Be forewarned that you only have 90 days to file a complaint with the credit card company for a charge back from the seller. Also if you order something from a seller, ask if it is in stock and when areit will be shipped. Also tell the seller not to charge the card until the day he ships the goods to you. Items coming out of CANADA can take up to two weeks to get through customs and to you. If they do not arrive at your door step two weeks after the seller said he shipped the goods out, notify the credit card company and ask for a charge back on your card, do not wait. :)
It's tough to criticize and/or condemn another vendor, but the rules and laws of business are here to protect the buyer, and at times the seller---. ;)

Rich is right in passing this on to you. If legitimate vendors have to suffer at the expense of those who do not comply with the rules, the entire industry suffers---. :eek:

In times where customers are holding their wallets close to the belt, we can't, as providers and suppliers of modeling supplies, allow a bad apple to contaminate the barrel. It hurts all of us who want to keep customers happy, and our respective businesses healthy---. ;)

[hpiguy]

Use a Discover Card. With mine, you call with a dispute, they charge the seller back the money, you get it back immediately. THEN the seller has to prove the charge is valid if they still want the money.

Not vice versa like some other CCs do.

[yacht boy]

Well here we are, another year has come and gone.
I have emailed and phoned (had to leave a message, guess he has caller ID) every month and still nothing.
It's too much to let go and not enough to get a lawyer on the case. :mad:

[frankg]

:) YACHT BOY- I am sorry to hear about you problems with Model Control Devices, but you still have options open to you. First notify the Canadian authorities better business bureau that MCD has committed a mail fraud and is unresponsive to your inquires. Second, I would notify the Canadian postal authority that the company is operating a illegal operation and has had numerous complaints against them.
As for any one else that is contemplating buying from Model Control Devices, I can offer only this. We were the distributor for MCD in the USA for about nine years, and right from the start we were having problems getting product in a timely fashion as it seems they were never in stock and he was always waiting for parts. The reason we dropped them as a supplier was that they were unreliable in both supplying and servicing products. We had an ever growing number of our customers calling with the same horror story that you have, and although Dan said he would take care of the problem, seldom if anytime was anything done to correct the problem. I know that MCD still has a web site up and running, but be for warned, look else were for similar products from companies that have good reps. MODEL CONTROL DEVICES, is a bad apple in a shrinking barrel of suppliers to the radio control market. I have been quiet far to long on this subject of Model Control Devices , and can no longer justify my silence on this matter. It is time for MCD to fold his tent. :)

[der kapitan]

I have to agree with Frank G, in that MCD should throw in the towel, if they can't do better to serve the customer. :p

As a vendor, I find it hard, and somewhat awkward, to criticize another company, but when their batting average gets that bad, it only reflects upon the rest of us, and hence, our livlihood---. ;)

It boils down to shape up, or ship out---. :eek:

[patmat2350]

A shame too, because I really like the product (Switch 8/16)... only other choice out there for that many switched functions is Vantec (and you have to buy their entire radio, $$$), and Robbe/Graupner products-- also $$$.

Maybe Model Solutions of Canada can offer a switcher? Their sound module has some switching function, but limited in comparison.
Elsewise, you can control 1, 2, or even 4 switches with available RC switchers on 1 channel, or even mechanical servo-operated setups.

[fatboy999]

Seems a shame like Pat says, he has great products, but the service sucks. I have a SWITCH 16 unit that we can't get working. I have had an electronic expert working on it and he can get it to work either. Dan finally sent a 2nd board but it doesn't work either. I know him personally and get the same excuses as everyone else. To bad, his loss, not just with me, but seems like everyone!

[DavidHarrison]

Hello guys, David from Model Solutions of Canada Ltd. here. Although our primary focus is sound effects modules, we also sold a similar product to the MCD SWITCH16 unit which we called the RCMUX16. We stopped producing it last summer because there was so little demand for it and the biggest issue was with the keypads. I.E. they were a pain to produce, and users had a lot of trouble wiring them into their transmitters. And, of course, that immediately invalidated their transmitter warranty.

Our RCMUX16 came in two versions - 1) A straight 16 channel switched to ground style and 2) With twelve switched to ground outputs and one "reversing" output - I.E. you pressed one button and the current would flow one way, pressed a second button and the current would go the other way - great for bow thrusters or gun turrets etc.

However it was a good product and, more importantly, our customer service, both pre and posts sales was, and still is, exemplary in comparison with the horror stories we have heard about MCD and the former JJC who went out of business. I have several friends in our local boat club who have also have bad experiences with MCD trying to get failed product fixed or replaced.

We will never let you down and we always respond in a timely and friendly manner.

If I can get a good feeling that there is a significant demand out there AND I can get a manufacturer to make the keypads for us, we would consider re-introducing our RCMUX16 unit again. It was priced at CAD$149.95 then, but the new price depends on how much a manufacturer would charge to make the keypads for us.

I would appreciate input from as many guys out there as possible that would like us to re-introduce these 16 channel switchers. Time to get these back into production would be a few months.


Reagrds,
David
Model Solutions of Canada Ltd.
www.modelsolutions.ca (http://www.modelsolutions.ca)
The most AMAZING R/C sound systems

[patmat2350]

Thanks for the update David.
On the switches, I'd be happy to see an option to use our own switches to communicate with your resistor pack. This would enable building a custom operating panel, not limited to the supplier's keypad layout.
But hey, I'm a tinkerer...

[DavidHarrison]

Pat, I'd have to see at least 10 potential orders come in before we ordered another batch of parts.

We still have about a dozen blank PCBs left so it wouldn't be too hard to make a few without the keypads. But I couldn't guarantee correct operation if another keypad or control panel was used.

Regards,
David

[green-boat]

I'm sure that if you would post or provide a schematic for the keypad that a few of us here could figure it out. Discrete components are not hard to come by easy to wire up.

[DavidHarrison]

I'm sure that if you would post or provide a schematic for the keypad that a few of us here could figure it out. Discrete components are not hard to come by easy to wire up.

Perhaps you misunderstood me when I said the keypads were a pain to produce. It is not the PCB or components that are a pain, although they are very tedious to solder by hand. It is the case and top panel which are both time consuming and costly. The actual components are only 18 resistors and 16 push button switches, all though hole parts. However, until we exhaust all avenues for getting the keypads made in volume either commercially or by a friendly hobbyist, we cannot publish our keypad schematic as it remains our intellectual property.

The cases involve maching aluminum channel 1" x 3/4" x 3/16 wall x 8ft lengths down to a height of about 3/8" and chopping them up and machining the ends to the required length and finish. Then a styrene end cap has to be cut and glued on with CA. We investigated injection moulding but the setup costs are sky high and it is really only economic in vast quantities. We also investigated a custom aluminum extrusion, but the same thing - it only works in huge quantities.

We can sub-contract out the board assembly for the module itself but even our contractor does not want to make the keypads. It is simply too time consuming for the small amount of cost we can allocate to a keypad and still keep the end price to the consumer reasonable.

We are a very small company and simply don't have the resources to make them ourselves and do all the other things that have a higher priority.

If there's an enterprising hobbyist out there who wouldn't mind making 100 cases for a reasonable fee, we might be interested.

[pops52]

I'd be good for an additional order. And sport a rather cavalier attitude to my radio manufacturer's warranty. :)

[green-boat]

What kind of matrix are needing for the keypad?

[steamboatmodel]

Can I suggest that from post #54 on be moved to a new topic. This would separate it from the MCD issue and may generate more interest.
Regards,
Gerald.

[BigDutch]

I want to thank the people who took the time to express their reservations about MCD. The warnings came in timely fashion as I was about to place a relatively large order. The question now is where can a substitute for the MCD controllers be found? I currently have 3 boats that are at least 24vdc and need controllers. I know about Vantec. Are there others?

Thanks
BD

[nick_75au]

Hi BD
Robot marketplace is a good place to start but I think you mentioned difficulty in contacting them before?, most of the vendors on there also sell direct so that may be an alternative..
IFI robotics sell there Victor controls direct, I have 2, Victor 885's 24 volt 120 amp (real rating, not BS hobby ratings) in my Kingfisher. Ive pulled a real 80 amps through it with smoke pouring out of the hull from a overheated loose connection with out a hitch.

http://www.ifirobotics.com/speed-controller-selection-guide.shtml

A few guys in our club have run these ones without problems
http://www.rcmodelworkshop.com/esc.html

There is Electronize in the UK as well, not my favorite :(

Good luck
Nick

[BigDutch]

Hi BD
Robot marketplace is a good place to start but I think you mentioned difficulty in contacting them before?, most of the vendors on there also sell direct so that may be an alternative..
IFI robotics sell there Victor controls direct, I have 2, Victor 885's 24 volt 120 amp (real rating, not BS hobby ratings) in my Kingfisher. Ive pulled a real 80 amps through it with smoke pouring out of the hull from a overheated loose connection with out a hitch.

http://www.ifirobotics.com/speed-controller-selection-guide.shtml

A few guys in our club have run these ones without problems
http://www.rcmodelworkshop.com/esc.html

There is Electronize in the UK as well, not my favorite :(

Good luck
Nick

Thanks a boatload Nick. You may have solved some of my amp-bitions!

[fatboy999]

I have a SWITCH 16 unit on a Futaba Skysport 6 channel radio. I can only get it to light a 3 volt light on button #1, the rest of the board has no response. It has be reset several times. We have received a 2nd board from Dan and it acts the same way. Any help?

[H.Lauer]

I think you need at least 6 volts in and then can go to a voltage regulator. You prob. already know that. :) Harry

[patmat2350]

I have a SWITCH 16 unit on a Futaba Skysport 6 channel radio. I can only get it to light a 3 volt light on button #1, the rest of the board has no response. It has be reset several times. We have received a 2nd board from Dan and it acts the same way. Any help?

Got the correct switchpad for your radio? I recall that Dan had different ones, as not all Tx's use the same amount of the potentiometer's travel.

Have a friend with an oscilloscope? Put the scope on the Rx port, and see if each keypad button produces a pulse in the expected range.

[fatboy999]

Got the correct switchpad for your radio? I recall that Dan had different ones, as not all Tx's use the same amount of the potentiometer's travel.

Have a friend with an oscilloscope? Put the scope on the Rx port, and see if each keypad button produces a pulse in the expected range.

Thanks H.L. and Pat, I had a friend who is a modeller and an electronic technician working on this unit. I had checked with Dan to verify that this was the correct kit for my radio and he told me that it was, but when my friend couldn't get it working, Dan sent him another circut board, thinking there may be a problem with the first board. I'm wondering if I have bad key pads as David was having problems getting good ones from his supplier. I may have to try another technician who I think had something to do with the design of the board. I wish Dan lived closer, then I could have him install it. I wouldn't leave anything with Dan.

[patmat2350]

Like I said, just have him put the scope on the signal out pin at the receiver (usually the most inboard pin, where the white or yellow servo lead wire goes; ground on any of the outboard pins, where the black wires go, or on the Rx battery ground).

With no buttons pushed, he should see a 1.5millesecond (ms) pulse on about a 20ms repeat cycle. As each of the 16 buttons are pushed, the pulse will change to about 1.0ms at one end of the keypad to 2.0ms at the other end. If so, at least the keypad and Tx are correct.

[fatboy999]

Like I said, just have him put the scope on the signal out pin at the receiver (usually the most inboard pin, where the white or yellow servo lead wire goes; ground on any of the outboard pins, where the black wires go, or on the Rx battery ground).

With no buttons pushed, he should see a 1.5millesecond (ms) pulse on about a 20ms repeat cycle. As each of the 16 buttons are pushed, the pulse will change to about 1.0ms at one end of the keypad to 2.0ms at the other end. If so, at least the keypad and Tx are correct.

Thanks for the info Pat, I will pass it along to him and let you know the results.

[capntroy]

That's unfortunate to hear about the many problems with MCD. 18 or 19 years ago, Dan was the go-to guy for high-amp esc's and his customer service was always speedy.
Too bad.

[woodybob]

I want to thank the people who took the time to express their reservations about MCD. The warnings came in timely fashion as I was about to place a relatively large order. The question now is where can a substitute for the MCD controllers be found? I currently have 3 boats that are at least 24vdc and need controllers. I know about Vantec. Are there others?

Thanks
BD

Have you seen these? Electronize FR30HX. (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10107369&postcount=1)

[patmat2350]

Some might knock Electronize for using mechanical relays for direction control instead of a solid-state, all-FET H-bridge like all other modern ESCs... but it seems to work!

[steamboatmodel]

Some might knock Electronize for using mechanical relays for direction control instead of a solid-state, all-FET H-bridge like all other modern ESCs... but it seems to work!
All I could see on there site was 2 and 4 switch units. You can do that with micro switches and a servo.
Regards,
Gerald

[rye 332]

hi
me too ,i both 4 of them in the last two years they are great but had too wait 2-4 months for them to come, he had a lot of storys to tell, had to trick him to get him on the phone ,i send one back for repair 5-months ,not a way to run a company ,does anyone else make them or is he the patent holder is there one out there that is the same as the sc-480,i now go though Loyalhanna Dockyard,he dont charge your card until he ships to you

[rye 332]

ps some one should e-mail him this fourm

[fatboy999]

Have you checked his website, he has a disclaimer that really fits the "bill".
It reads: Nobody’s perfect, but “Oh No!” is not a phrase to be taken lightly with your labors of love so we do our best to make sure our products work well.

A year ago I purchased a Switch 16 kit from him and asked if he would install it for me. I told him that it was the Futaba 7TCAP computerized radio and would it work on that radio. He said there would be no problem with that radio. We drove 4 hours up to his place, only to have him take one look at the radio and he said it wouldn't work on that radio! I reminded him that we spoke on the telephone and gave him the radio model at that time, but he just found another excuse why he could install it. We waisted an entire day on the road because of him. We weren't impressed to say the least.

[W.L Upshaw]

I noticed that MCD is not on the Vendors List for the Weak Signals Hobby Expo in Toledo Ohio This weekend Apr-3-5-2009

[patmat2350]

Hasn't been, for the previous couple years...

[W.L Upshaw]

Hi Pat:

I am sure that you will be there with a model or 2.

[patmat2350]

But of course!
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11919913#post11919913

I'll get it there Saturday... see ya!

[W.L Upshaw]

I look forward to seeing that

[der kapitan]

I look forward to seeing that
See you there C.F.---. (and you know what that means---.) :D

[W.L Upshaw]

Thanks Karl:

How could I ever forget :eek:

[BWRIGHT]

Has anybody dealt with MCD lately? If not who else makes a product that is similiar?

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Vantec would make similar speed controls...

http://www.vantec.com/
.

Model Solutions of Canada Ltd. would make switching systems.

www.modelsolutions.ca

[der kapitan]

Now that you mention it, I haven't heard anything at all about MCD and their products for some time---. :confused:

Are they on holiday, in disgrace, or out of business? :o

[woodybob]

Website is up and running... http://www.modelcontrol.com/

[BWRIGHT]

I am interseted in the switching systems? Anyone have the experience of modifying the radio to use them?

[H.Lauer]

It's not really that difficult. If I can do it.... :)

Make sure you have the correct keypad for your radio. All that is involved is to disconnect (cut) the wires from one of the sticks. next drill a hole in the radio case, snake wires from keypad and solder to the cut wires. it comes with heat shrink. Follow the diagram NOT color code.(been there). Great units and speed controls!!. Just wish the customer service matched the product.... Harry

[fatboy999]

He's still around as far as I know. Loyalhanna was carrying his products, they may be quicker in filling your orders. I probably will see Dan next weekend and see what's happening with him and MCD.

[woodybob]

...I probably will see Dan next weekend and see what's happening with him and MCD.

Please keep us posted.

[fatboy999]

Bumped into Dan yesterday at an event and he was telling people that he is still in business! All the best !!!

[John Fryant]

Well, I almost hesitate to add my comments to this thread as I always had a good relationship with Dan. Several years ago I won one of MCDs ESCs at a regatta. About a year ago it went bad and I sent it to Dan with a $30.00 check for repairs. No response. After several months I called Dan and he told me he had been ill. OK, I believed that. Still no response. Several months later I called again. Same illness excuse - "I'll see if I can get it back to you in a week or so". Several months later - called again - same excuse, same promise. It has been at least nine months now - still nothing. Well, at least I'm not out any money yet, as I didn't pay anything for the ESC to begin with, and my check hasn't ever been cashed. Guess I'll stop payment on it. Sad, Sad.

[woodybob]

Sad... since MCD ESC's are very nice devices. Perhaps he is up for selling lock, stock & barrel.

[Thorsteenster]

NO!! This is horrible to find out, I want to get one of these from him:
http://www.modelcontrol.com/switch16.htm
Hm, I have an Aunt and Uncle in Ontario, I'll have to see if they feel like making a trip for me.....

[cyclops2]

I had a very good outcome with a drive of his.

Businesses are like people. They have good and bad times.

Rich

[yacht boy]

I'm still sending emails in the hope of wearing him down :(
Of course I get no reply.
My next step will be to contact the club he belongs to.
Yes I have done some reserch. Perhaps he is too busy acting as public relations oficer for his club to wory about his own public relations :confused:

[der kapitan]

I've known Dan for a long time too, and like John Fryant, I'm reluctant to cast aspersions on him as well. :o

BUT business is business, and he should conduct himself in a businesslike manner---. :p

And customer relations and promptness are a significant factor in doing so---. ;)

[frankg]

:mad: KAP- I am sorry to have to say this, but the truth is in the tasting , and MCD is BAD APPLES! I have know Dan longer that most of you, and was the distributor for his products for at least 12 to 15 years and I can honestly say that I always had trouble with Dan supplying product from off the shelf and had issues with service and warrantee work right from the get go. Even with me laying down the law to him had no effect in correcting the problem and I discontinued handling any MCD products and will not recommend any one to have dealings with him.

Dan was made well aware of this many, many times and all anyone ever get from him is a pack of lies and fairy tails, hemming and hauling until the cows come home. I would not recommend any one send any checks or money orders to him for products , since he no longer excepts credit cards. At least with a credit card order you could file a compliant to get the credit card company to charge back for unshipped orders.

My suggestion to any one still bent on dealing with MCD is to burn the money you are going to send to Dan. At least you will know what happened to your money and save the .88 postage. :mad: