DCC - Electrical
My Control Panel and DCC Panel
I like Mike Fifer's 3D Control Panel and built mine based on his instructions. So far I've created the panel with the 3D track layout - for the part that has remote switches only. I built a wooden frame for it, slight angel back from vertical. And I've begun to mount the terminal strips behind the panel using a left over bit of plexi-glass. I'm still am waiting for six more terminal strips to arrive to complete that part of the projct.
Condo/Loft Layout: Culvert scene and Train Operation
My ongoing blog about building a small 6' x 1' 1/2 switching layout and a 4' 1/2 staging/Interchange in a Condo in Toronto.
As we approach the Holidays and we expect guests, I want to get going on the scenery and building construction. However, the layout is light and small enough (6' x 1' 1/2) that I can pull it off the shelving support and store in the closet in lieu of my progress.
Scenery: Culvert/Pond Scene
Here is a photoshopped demo of the Culvert/Pond scene i've been working on:
Installed my First Ever DCC Decoder a DZ126T into Model Power FP-7
She ain't pretty but she works.
The Model Power all metal FP-7 is "DCC Wired" - not sure what they meant, but it was not one of those plug in pins, nor were the wires colour coded to DCC colours.
Thanks to those here who recommended this one as a good candidate for my first Decoder.
First Steps with Arduino
I have been following Dr Geoff Bunza’s posts on using Arduino in Model railroading with great interest. His article in the November MRH then gave me a great deal more clarity on the possible uses of this amazing little chip plus the article gave me a eureka moment on a problem I have been facing.
My Ho scale P2K Sw9/1200 after installing a Digitrax Decoder in it
This is My Proto 2000 SW9/1200 Diesel locomotive. I bought it in Union Pacific Colors, Stripped it and painted it for My Great Western Railroad. A Colorado Sugar Beet Railroad. It's been sitting on a shelf for years because I didn't have DCC in it. Well a couple weeks ago I started the Conversion. It went fairly well. I needed to remove the front weight to make room for the speaker I used.Everything went in but it is a really tight fit. I received some of the Decals Today for the Great Western Railroad lettering on the Hood. Anyway She Runs Very Nice and even at Slow Speed.
Building Occupancy Detection
I've got a finished building about 22" long that has two tracks running into it. Each track has wheel stops at the end. I'm thinking of some sort of detection system to light an LED on a control panel when something approaches the last few inches.
There are certainly many products out there that could do it including IR detection and DCC occupancy detection (if there was a gap in the last few inches of track.)
Accessory decoders and sub addresses
I have a Zimo MX82 accessory decoder that will support 4 servos. I have programmed it with Decoder Pro.
The servos are activated by sub-addresses.
I can not figure out how to enable the sub-addresses on my NCE Power Cab. I have the accessory decoder set as 4, and the sub-address at 111. When I select the accessory decoder, all I get on the screen is On or OFF. Neither seem to do anything.
Here is the Decoder Pro screen shot.
Any ideas?
Arduino Speedometer for less than $15
Hi all!
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Speedometer:
The idea was to be familiar with the game and start KISS. So, before decide where to place in the Layout, I plan for a "portable" one ( so it can be used also on a modular layout during meetings ?)
The Micro used is the little and cheap Nano, more than enough for this simple application:
DCC Booster
I have an NCE PowerCab setup. I am interested in a little more power. Can I use the Tam Valley 5 amp booster board in district mode for a down and dirty solution?
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