What is Pro Mini Air?
Pro Mini Air (PMA) is essentially a 'dead-rail' radio system that can be 'bolted-on' to ANY make of DCC controller. A transmitter is connected to the DCC command station's track output, and a receiver added to each battery-equipped DCC loco to enable it to respond EXACTLY as it did when it was on track power.
But I don't have a DCC system! They're expensive! Have no fear! To meet this obstacle, there is a budget-priced PMA option in the form of the 'PMA WiFi Command Station' (WCS) which enables you to use WiFi controllers including free smartphone apps and other hardware WiFi throttles.
The System
The two key parts of the PMA system are transmitters (Tx) and receivers (Rx).
Receivers
PMA Rx themselves are comprised of two major parts: The receiver, and the motor driver. The motor driver can be any one of several different models, depending on the amps required. The higher the amps, the larger physical size of this motor driver component.
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The receiver is always the same part, and can be provided rigidly connected to the motor driver to form a single device, or it can be joined via 4 small wires so both parts can be secreted around the locomotive separately when space is at a premium. These wires do not carry any motor/decoder current, so can be very thin. The wires from the batteries to the motor driver, and from the motor driver to the decoder however should be of a suitable gauge to carry the required amps the decoder requires to drive the motor(s).
Transmitters
PMA transmitters (Tx) come in two basic formats. A converter transmitter (CNV) which connects to the track output of any DCC system. Or a WiFi Command Station (WCS) which is in essence a complete WiFi-enabled DCC command station but instead of a track output, it has an integrated PMA transmitter.
More details on the specific models of Tx and Rx on the Products page.