DC - Electrical

jmt99atsf's picture

Layout Progress Update Plus Other Stuff

Thu, 2014-07-10 10:30 — jmt99atsf

Mid July 2014 Progress Update

Over the past month, I have been checking out some of my steam engines, running trains, installing decoders, worked on fixing the shorting issue with the insulfrog turnouts, and began work on the support structure for the main level. There are four videos in this update.

making pcb's

Thu, 2014-07-03 08:19 — tommypelley

OK. I have a PCB layout for a DC throttle I want to build. I would need at least two maybe three to have one as a back up. The problem I am having is I model trains and don't really want the problems of trying to learn the software to convert a PCB layout to a file set that can be manufactured nor do I feel confident enough to try making my own PCB. Is there anyone on here that has experience at doing this that would be willing to help. I want to do this but really don't need to pick up ANOTHER hobby.

casenundra's picture

Switch Machine Touch Toggle Controls

Sun, 2014-06-29 11:33 — casenundra

Has anyone installed the touch toggle controls for the tortoise switch machines? I would like to hear some feedback about them. On the surface it sounds good.

Any and all observations would be appreciated.

My first observation is that it would cost about $200.00 to run 12 switch machines. That comes to about $17.00 a unit. So it ain't cheap.

Rich S.

Home to the Teal and Raspberry RR (HO) and the Here N There RR (N)

Both under construction.

One of these days I might get to run some trains.

LKandO's picture

PCBs for Tortoise Relays

Sat, 2014-06-28 10:49 — LKandO

I set about mass producing the relay boards for my Tortoise controls. Originally built on IC experimenters board with point to point wiring, I quickly decided there were just too many interconnections for this method to be practical on 72 relay boards. A printed circuit board was in order.

ICE's picture

More Z Scale stuff

Thu, 2014-06-19 15:13 — ICE
Wanting to get my skills into something small, I built a modified version of the famous NOCH 85880 Cortina layout in Z-Scale.
 
Since I primarily model in HO and did not want to invest getting into Z-Scale, I  acquired a lot of Marklin stuff in a barter deal from my friend, who was getting out of Marklin, for whom I design a lot of model railroad electronics and automation.
 
ICE's picture

HO or N Scale billboard lights and bulk heads

Thu, 2014-06-19 14:22 — ICE
I had a whole lot of IHC Signal target faces, since I make my own signals, instead of spending a fortune to but signals, so I put the excess target faces to some good use to make N-Scale or even suitable for HO scale billboard or flood lights.
 
Simply cut the target face to  a 1/4" square (HO) or 0.2" square (N) preserving the hood of the target, because this is what creates the appeal.
 
ICE's picture

Z Scale billboard lights

Thu, 2014-06-19 13:40 — ICE
A friend asked me to design billboard lights and am sharing here what I did for a Z-Scale billboard, he proudly mounted on his briefcase layout.
 
The billboard is from a laser wood kit, but getting the correct lamps was a challenge in Z-scale.
 
I decided to use the SMT 1206 type of led since I had surplus of these from making ditch lights for locomotives and other HO and N scale lighting applications.
 
Dave O's picture

Reinventing the Wheel: Locomotive Controller ...

Thu, 2014-06-12 20:53 — Dave O

Right ... between awaiting materials, tools, and sunshine (heh); I have too much time to "think" about my current project.  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/18011

In the back of my mind, I have been very keen on implementing something like the RailDriver as a control system for my locomotive; similar to what Damin Keenan did with his.  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/15624

ICE's picture

Under $2 solution for Flickerfree LED coach lights

Tue, 2014-06-03 18:59 — ICE
Commercially available Flicker Free (Supercaps or Stay Alive) circuits are good for driving a chain of LED's if you hard wire these or use the manufacturers PCB. These are all designed around an output voltage of 3V, since the supercap is rated for max. 5.5V at say 1F or 1.5F. The capacitor itself is a $1.50 min. on eBay
 

>> Posts index Syndicate content


Navigation

Journals/Blogs

Recent Blog posts: