Skip to main content

CBUS to Control DC Layouts

 At this mornings Virtual Area Group Meeting, Rob Thomas described how he uses  CBUS to control his OO9 layout.  He discussed the Pros and Cons of the various available systems including MERG's Automatic Train Controller, commercial offerings and Mike Bolton's Basin Speed Controller.


Having opted for the Basin Speed Controller version as the basis of his project, he then looked at how he might add additional control using CBUS.

Various versions were developed starting with a seven speed and stop initial project with subsequent modifications to overcome some of the problems associated with the different behaviours of individual train motors.

Speed and Inertia were eventually  controlled using files created from a Python script and stored on an Arduino.

He uses RFID to identify the locos so that the correct profile can be loaded to the controller.

This is certainly not a beginners subject but the video is available on the Merg website for those interested.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Train sequence / timetable using Arduino

                              Following discussions in a MERG Zoom meeting about potential projects for the Cumbria virtual area group I have started this blog to share my ideas for building a train sequence / timetable system based on an Arduino UNO. The trigger for this project was Andy Robb's article in the MERG journal (June 2020 edition). In it Andy describes using an UNO with a OLED display to produce an electronic station display board.  Having tried out Andy's version I started thinking about expanding the idea and have come up the following list of possibilities: 1. Replace my card index train sequence with an electronic version. 2. Have the train sequence synchronised with the on platform displays. 3. Display an analogue clock on the station display and have it display the train times. 4. Store the position reached in the sequence so that it starts where it left off on power up.  To mak...
8 comments
Read more

Safety in the workshop

 An excellent presentation by Dr. Craig Lennox on workshop safety at today's West of Scotland area group meeting. An amusing but nevertheless serious video was followed by a detailed talk on safety and first aid. I am hoping this talk will be made available on the WOSAG website in due course. The take home message is to ensure your workspace is well ventilated, tidy with no trailing cables. Plan what you are going to do using appropriate tools, avoid distractions and don't rush A clear head is essential. Use PPE where necessary for example ear protection, safety glasses and laser glasses. The risks of burns, cuts, electrical shock and inhalation of dust and fumes were all covered in some detail. Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) are now installed in most supermarkets. A short video was shown illustrating just how easy they are to be used. Excellent talk.  Keep safe everyone.
Post a Comment
Read more

Mimic Points in Visual Basic

For this project, I wanted to create a moving graphic to mimic a set of points moving from one position to the other.  This Blog shows all that is needed. The first Picture shows the 6 lines needed.                                 This Picture shows the Line Properties.    The tracks are shown with 5 lines, though only the middle ones in red are involved.  The other line shown below the others is the one that actually "moves".  It is shown below the other lines for clarity only.  At the start of the Program running, it is positioned over the lower red line. In VB, each Line has properties and these are shown above.  To get a line to appear to move, all that needs to be done is to gradually change the X2 and Y2 co-ordinates of the line. This is the code for the program. The first 6 lines create a pause Function in the program, by using the Computers internal C...
1 comment
Read more