DC - Electrical

Pranav iyer's picture

Need a complete electric solution for this layout

Hi all,

I am an enthusiast who seems to have run into a brick wall with respect to electricals for my layout. I demarcated the sections in colours, but it seems i will end up with half a dozen controllers if I follow what I understand. The layout is essentially two main lines with a loop that crosses over and on to the inside of the oval. 

I would truly appreciate it if someone could tell me how to wire this layout, including power, connections, correct isolator location et al. I am looking at a maximum of two trains running at the same time.

Bill Brillinger's picture

The Right Tool for the Job... Heat Shrink Tubing

I'm curious to know, what tools and methods are you using to install heat shrink around sensitive components?

Bill Brillinger's picture

What connectors for inside locomotives?

What do you think about using connectors like this for speakers, trucks, etc., inside HO locomotives?

I'm envisioning using these to connect chassis to shells and trucks to chassis. They are standard .1" crimp connectors from Pololu. Is there something smaller I should consider?

 

New touch controls for control boards

Touch controls for control panels and other uses are available to model railroaders which can make very compact control panels, replacing mechanical switches with very small switches with internal lighting which can be placed on a track diagram.

anyone using auto battery for layout/lighting power?

Is anyone here using auto battery for layout/lighting power?

It seems an automotive or marine battery could provide plenty of smooth 12v (actually 13v+) power for LED strip lighting, relays, tortoise power, electronics (with local 5v regulators), even track power (with PWM or linear controllers).

Hand-held DC Throttles

I need to replace two, old DC handheld throttles. Does anyone have recommendations for good quality, reliable throttles that are ready to use? I am not much good with the soldering iron so I don't want to build them.

Thanks for your help.

Ian Stronach
Modelling the CPR Montreal Terminals Division in HO

Bill Brillinger's picture

RailPro Sound and Speaker Comparison (incl. DSM-8 vs iPhone 4 speaker)

This post is a follow-up to my previous post: What speaker for a stock Kato SD40-2 ?

I have purchased a number of speakers and said I would post some sound samples.

Here they are!

- Bill

Optical detection alternatives

In Terry Terrance's article on optical train detection in May2014 MRH, he mentioned that there are two forms of detection. There is a third form, magnetic detection using either reed relays or Hall effect sensors.

Moderator note: Retitled the thread to make it more likely to gather the posts the OP apparently is looking for.

geoffb's picture

Scale Model Animation 9: Sequencing, Updates & a Challenge

Model animation—bringing models to life—adds enormously to the interest and enjoyment of any layout or individual model! This entry includes a video presenting ideas for animation sequencing, project updates, and a new DCC controlled, passenger coach animation. There's also a challenge for you to guess where my next project runs!


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