JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
You still need to get power (or air) to the controller, or remotes, regardless of how they are operated, this is where the issue really is.
Suggestions for automating manual LGB points
- Thread starter HobbitFertang
- Start date
John Russo
Registered
Two 9 volt batteries would power an EPL motor's typical use for a very long time. 400,000 switch actions (cycle) ?
1000 mAh in the batteries. 30 milliamp draw. 300 Msec cycle duration.
PhilP
G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics
Correct..
Biggest problems (outside) would, over time) be seasonal temperature cycling and corrosion.
PhilP
John Russo
Registered
Agreed.
The manual switches have to operated directly with your hand.
I believe his use of the word "automating" in the context of his question implies a remote switch/control of some sort, whether that be wired or wireless.
John Russo
Registered
PhilP
G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics
Hence the reason my "garden" railroad is in my basement.
I would love an American-style/size house with basement..
PhilP
Alan McLennan
Registered
I have decided to go with a controller from Talking Electronics, the one I am using does 2 sets of points using converted RC servos for the actual moving of points
and it has led's that indicate what position the points are in. For $25 plus postage I don't think you could beat it.
and it has led's that indicate what position the points are in. For $25 plus postage I don't think you could beat it.
Monty
Registered
Be interesting to see how the servos and board connected to them survives outside. Certainly the board would be better in a small dry building say a lineside hut or equipment case model.
John Russo
Registered
HobbitFertang
Registered
Yes, very impressive! Not sure I've got the knowhow to replicate this. I also don't have the motorised points.
PhilP
G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics
?
You don't need points with motors..
You drive the points with the servos.
PhilP
Alan McLennan
Registered
Hi Ian, it comes assembled as shown in my photo and I think you can by a kit to build yourself. here's a link Welcome to talkingelectronics.com
Alan McLennan
Registered
That's correct PhilP, the servos, or as I was told by the supplier, they are motor and gearboxes now, as the circuit boards have been removed from them.
Alan McLennan
Registered
They/He does a Semaphore signal module as well that detects a train using a IR detector that when it detects a train it charge the signal to clear
and a short time after the train passes by it returns to danger/ stop. $28.00 plus postage.... I better order one before their all sold out
and a short time after the train passes by it returns to danger/ stop. $28.00 plus postage.... I better order one before their all sold out
GAP
G Scale Model Trains, 1:1 Sugar Cane Trains
I am getting all nerdy and am going to use a python program running on a raspberry pi to do my point changing.
While I am at I'm having a line drawing of my track displayed on a monitor which will eventually tell me train position, point direction and signal settings.
The below blog pages give an idea of where I am coming from and where I am trying to get to (the second page is still a work in progress)
This how I did my servo control points.
ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com
I am in the process of upgrading the control method to use wifi controlled relays to replace the switches.and wiring outside and taking them into the shed onto a central control box.
ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com
I even have an idea to use wifi cameras linked to a couple of old phones to see hidden parts of the layout but that is way into the future.
Alan;
A word of warning from one who has been there; if the servo horns are going to be exposed to sunlight change them to metal as they will not survive a summer without crumbling.
While I am at I'm having a line drawing of my track displayed on a monitor which will eventually tell me train position, point direction and signal settings.
The below blog pages give an idea of where I am coming from and where I am trying to get to (the second page is still a work in progress)
This how I did my servo control points.
Servo Controlled Points
Because I was having some issues with my Aristocraft and LGB manual points; The LGB points I had would not throw properly with a manual lev...
ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com
I am in the process of upgrading the control method to use wifi controlled relays to replace the switches.and wiring outside and taking them into the shed onto a central control box.
Using Raspberry Pi for Control (A work in Progress)
To control my points without having to use long cable runs I decided to use WiFi to send switch position information. To achieve this I will...
ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com
I even have an idea to use wifi cameras linked to a couple of old phones to see hidden parts of the layout but that is way into the future.
Alan;
A word of warning from one who has been there; if the servo horns are going to be exposed to sunlight change them to metal as they will not survive a summer without crumbling.
Alan McLennan
Registered
Hi Gap, yeah I intend to house the servos in a weather resistant housing disguised as something else, IE. pile of old sleepers , but metal arms are much better over all.I am getting all nerdy and am going to use a python program running on a raspberry pi to do my point changing.
While I am at I'm having a line drawing of my track displayed on a monitor which will eventually tell me train position, point direction and signal settings.
The below blog pages give an idea of where I am coming from and where I am trying to get to (the second page is still a work in progress)
This how I did my servo control points.
Servo Controlled Points
Because I was having some issues with my Aristocraft and LGB manual points; The LGB points I had would not throw properly with a manual lev...
I am in the process of upgrading the control method to use wifi controlled relays to replace the switches.and wiring outside and taking them into the shed onto a central control box.
Using Raspberry Pi for Control (A work in Progress)
To control my points without having to use long cable runs I decided to use WiFi to send switch position information. To achieve this I will...
I even have an idea to use wifi cameras linked to a couple of old phones to see hidden parts of the layout but that is way into the future.
Alan;
A word of warning from one who has been there; if the servo horns are going to be exposed to sunlight change them to metal as they will not survive a summer without crumbling.
GAP
G Scale Model Trains, 1:1 Sugar Cane Trains
I would also suggest that you use a conformal coating if the boards are going to live outdoors.
This will greatly reduce moisture ingress into the boards that will lead to corrosion and possible de-lamination.
Couple of examples
Clearcote DCA Modified Silicone Conformal Coating | Jaycar Australia
Clearcote DCA Modified Silicone Conformal Coating is ultra-clear protection for electronics. High flexibility, thermal resistance, and UV trace for comprehensive coverage that GLOWS!
www.jaycar.com.au
2044 | CRC Conformal Coating, 300 g Aerosol | RS
Personally I would use the second one (the urethane, used in the RAAF on avionic boards) as it will be easier to rework the board if needed.