tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30108337227078185472024-03-28T17:35:30.868-04:00 Cabin LayoutDalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-66583204034081592852024-03-25T22:31:00.003-04:002024-03-26T10:28:01.394-04:00Bookshop<p>At the other end of the row of Vollmer houses that has the <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2022/10/butcher-shop-metzgerei.html">Butcher</a> shop at one end, there is a bookshop (bookstore, Buchhandel). I designed some interior furniture to take advantage of the large windows.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJV2K1ROZPtvlxzs9BJ9Nhk-ZLX3EJfsqodytug7bip_QThyphenhyphenRDk1dfsU3XMnbAGAPeYaksEt3tQFH1nhNF2CbYlVMfrerrq_hr0dxIhqzzTp85tTe_1vX5o5YPpdKYA0Hrmxb2cBvD-0Aj-Y3rTwHY08Ug5C5HDay15uX_sjYQqZsV0I8RSFZ9Lc88X8/s4007/shopfront.jpg"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJV2K1ROZPtvlxzs9BJ9Nhk-ZLX3EJfsqodytug7bip_QThyphenhyphenRDk1dfsU3XMnbAGAPeYaksEt3tQFH1nhNF2CbYlVMfrerrq_hr0dxIhqzzTp85tTe_1vX5o5YPpdKYA0Hrmxb2cBvD-0Aj-Y3rTwHY08Ug5C5HDay15uX_sjYQqZsV0I8RSFZ9Lc88X8/w640-h282/shopfront.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p>The building is a mirror of the butcher shop so I was able to reuse the parts I had designed to even out the interior walls with the window frame, etc.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASLNtuXI3WEgufKuRjNxT3EZt0cevOdildYDiplVs4jg-qH-Rujp5F6EnKtWSabS0IML95ntJFXhvqC_nYrI61ZxggKPfoi6fOHlEg7tNfmcbYYaCbXCb1xrr1-TKpQ8wJxZjiugz75mz7lVZVDrOCyhzjZFYN0LsfVNkGyqREkhCJbinoFbipl-Am3o/s2159/PXL_20221228_221250089.jpg"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASLNtuXI3WEgufKuRjNxT3EZt0cevOdildYDiplVs4jg-qH-Rujp5F6EnKtWSabS0IML95ntJFXhvqC_nYrI61ZxggKPfoi6fOHlEg7tNfmcbYYaCbXCb1xrr1-TKpQ8wJxZjiugz75mz7lVZVDrOCyhzjZFYN0LsfVNkGyqREkhCJbinoFbipl-Am3o/s320/PXL_20221228_221250089.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><p>I designed a desk with cash register</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-PVGUfAiBQplPEmPUC9am96x0RlQJQN_s0mtUsfWiOQIOTojfklSC8UZu1x0r3ZpdsihVvGvgEQpMqN-x14irqjmu3UHeNTH9Khd0NhD89q-JjhW8q9dsqAO4TbzT7qvIEJcSq8RRE5SNguV4Nyf8tbFe39dpbwfOSN1HBXm3k2bCTNZQf7WZufN1Ec/s600/CashRegister.png"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-PVGUfAiBQplPEmPUC9am96x0RlQJQN_s0mtUsfWiOQIOTojfklSC8UZu1x0r3ZpdsihVvGvgEQpMqN-x14irqjmu3UHeNTH9Khd0NhD89q-JjhW8q9dsqAO4TbzT7qvIEJcSq8RRE5SNguV4Nyf8tbFe39dpbwfOSN1HBXm3k2bCTNZQf7WZufN1Ec/s320/CashRegister.png" width="320"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-8GGy2PvYbiKiB2kw89_s1OV5ku9RE9HvnBOdrrXKdTYsAiGqL_vwVKADBbZTkzurZUTKzX2bWhyphenhyphenyn78w8oahABLYvYmwAuNgTypVjX53Gl6fDc8MHZlK1DB4CXMWvBCMo_qk0R_zMG0Z_MepUjv1DahTnRhEZgsCZVxsppol1u_Wkqo2X1OiYle7WE/s600/checkout.png"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-8GGy2PvYbiKiB2kw89_s1OV5ku9RE9HvnBOdrrXKdTYsAiGqL_vwVKADBbZTkzurZUTKzX2bWhyphenhyphenyn78w8oahABLYvYmwAuNgTypVjX53Gl6fDc8MHZlK1DB4CXMWvBCMo_qk0R_zMG0Z_MepUjv1DahTnRhEZgsCZVxsppol1u_Wkqo2X1OiYle7WE/s320/checkout.png" width="320"></a></div></div><p>and some bookcases filled with books of random sizes.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aq-pweBXkUw1Ll7J2AF5HdRqv3sky-SHAIuwuRkq5pfGZbzyMWWM_a4LB5FTysuv7MVNFv6nH8VF9iOlapHTgZELdLuPRpBUVLH0oWMBe5GkBW2HZLxA4neq9CHKChZDrWP2tmwtaJCGEv_TDTsE6qQvuwDG8F9umiAJAYsSw_eB273pqfX8_ROuBmA/s2828/PXL_20221228_221238832.jpg"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aq-pweBXkUw1Ll7J2AF5HdRqv3sky-SHAIuwuRkq5pfGZbzyMWWM_a4LB5FTysuv7MVNFv6nH8VF9iOlapHTgZELdLuPRpBUVLH0oWMBe5GkBW2HZLxA4neq9CHKChZDrWP2tmwtaJCGEv_TDTsE6qQvuwDG8F9umiAJAYsSw_eB273pqfX8_ROuBmA/w640-h374/PXL_20221228_221238832.jpg" width="640"></a></div><p>I spent some time painting the books!</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO_cVtWxyMOqfGvBVk7JMIAXc30W1vAMyDGR2Znzuh9lgWjuCsZAfuoKjPhyphenhyphendwSvZQNWNMf02u4ZZAv0ZWWyLp8jOub0aTpPEsdxJafExfyyhC_spfbGCqKAokCck6hUT-LWJn152aAZ48KAK90z4C-dkpKinW0eCqrJEVDZQ_zdtZY-Nph2Xz1xIQmM/s3657/PXL_20230129_183410090.jpg"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO_cVtWxyMOqfGvBVk7JMIAXc30W1vAMyDGR2Znzuh9lgWjuCsZAfuoKjPhyphenhyphendwSvZQNWNMf02u4ZZAv0ZWWyLp8jOub0aTpPEsdxJafExfyyhC_spfbGCqKAokCck6hUT-LWJn152aAZ48KAK90z4C-dkpKinW0eCqrJEVDZQ_zdtZY-Nph2Xz1xIQmM/w640-h432/PXL_20230129_183410090.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdDw7vED0h9TbK0MBu4C2GJvJF0SU8XpaVJqCjXIvnIQkcZ7zdgaA87NHtF_XOTD9teaQdxocVXtwzH8xzwzLLAiROP5hY1cgccNXs81OKAHoJuK6X0OPm6KED4pvP2CaOVknOytPmZGePrVTzNVAriBSqZSK9PWPu8rF1cSnmYezIzE7K-8e6mn_PZA/s3214/PXL_20230129_183710390.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdDw7vED0h9TbK0MBu4C2GJvJF0SU8XpaVJqCjXIvnIQkcZ7zdgaA87NHtF_XOTD9teaQdxocVXtwzH8xzwzLLAiROP5hY1cgccNXs81OKAHoJuK6X0OPm6KED4pvP2CaOVknOytPmZGePrVTzNVAriBSqZSK9PWPu8rF1cSnmYezIzE7K-8e6mn_PZA/w269-h400/PXL_20230129_183710390.jpg" width="269"></a></div><br><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOukFDH7Vz1gb8WHUqhrRPMZeee4o4JLbbusgsRYeX4CRVQpAUdBps2ebOFicilktkUA3yMHeX8ydJJyjxdsXAEIG_f1Jn9ZuxciuRnWsiQ2OH5i5TBa6GJyExXrZq8tghCEh7-xTtILP3fda6fwJwIxbsn6eJTpTiAbUAislovA3RWNReHThuxcgDug/s3571/PXL_20230129_184006326.jpg"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOukFDH7Vz1gb8WHUqhrRPMZeee4o4JLbbusgsRYeX4CRVQpAUdBps2ebOFicilktkUA3yMHeX8ydJJyjxdsXAEIG_f1Jn9ZuxciuRnWsiQ2OH5i5TBa6GJyExXrZq8tghCEh7-xTtILP3fda6fwJwIxbsn6eJTpTiAbUAislovA3RWNReHThuxcgDug/w640-h376/PXL_20230129_184006326.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p>I embedded four white LEDs in the ceiling to provide good lighting in the shop.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TUik-ri2kw9JAf7ICJ0A6wgi8LG2G6lOXVQIdJRqg3OO-XYd-oKlZCOMc5EdQB6lFFXWP1T1JD85qhJ5QO8HeGpFeDOfXZ9-fQfz7MWJ8HAUKtJdFIcMeO3jqhXdwq-COKkvyQTReqgyqTnA4qDIqBkWDaeYeNtZO4S5KX3nmsqg-VJdHjAaL1o51wo/s2660/PXL_20230129_230401742.jpg"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TUik-ri2kw9JAf7ICJ0A6wgi8LG2G6lOXVQIdJRqg3OO-XYd-oKlZCOMc5EdQB6lFFXWP1T1JD85qhJ5QO8HeGpFeDOfXZ9-fQfz7MWJ8HAUKtJdFIcMeO3jqhXdwq-COKkvyQTReqgyqTnA4qDIqBkWDaeYeNtZO4S5KX3nmsqg-VJdHjAaL1o51wo/w640-h624/PXL_20230129_230401742.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div>and added some lights for the rooms above too...<br><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE-x3CCbziiVgtv2eLSjuGYFU2CBBuZ1YebSAKY57JmMT2HOSqSnfkwMQ1la42Raj04yM61I4HLu-s53vp_RmzldzJLaOmyVtFNBF4OUW5QxxjxmMoFRTKDGS3G-8HT7O_NJRL1q_mQQFOkGzANvDe-B7W3SQxlPVsZYXVIbGWiF9XT5EYew5Zgc-l-0/s2955/PXL_20230129_231443064.jpg"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE-x3CCbziiVgtv2eLSjuGYFU2CBBuZ1YebSAKY57JmMT2HOSqSnfkwMQ1la42Raj04yM61I4HLu-s53vp_RmzldzJLaOmyVtFNBF4OUW5QxxjxmMoFRTKDGS3G-8HT7O_NJRL1q_mQQFOkGzANvDe-B7W3SQxlPVsZYXVIbGWiF9XT5EYew5Zgc-l-0/w640-h570/PXL_20230129_231443064.jpg" width="640"></a></div><p><br></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-43953851565040850472024-03-25T15:11:00.003-04:002024-03-26T10:26:27.282-04:00Using LEDs in buildings<p>LEDs are now the standard method of adding lights all over the layout, including buildings.</p><p>They are small, cheap, and don't get hot, making them ideal in modelling. There are a few things to consider when using them within a building. Here is my list of items to keep in mind:</p><p></p><ol><li>Make sure the light cannot <b>leak out</b> through joints in the building or even directly through the walls or roof. Nothing looks more unrealistic than a glowing house. You may have to add a paper mask inside, or between the light and the roof and walls. Test in a dark room.</li><li>Don't make the light <b>too bright</b>. Modern LEDs can be very bright. LEDs are usually run at about 20mA and this may be way too bright for a building. You may want to design your electrical circuits so that the LEDs run between 5mA and 12mA.<br><br>I usually recommend a 12V DC bus to power all your lighting. This lets you power up to four white LEDs in series in each circuit at around 10mA with the following resistor values:<br><br>1 LED, use a 1000 Ohm resistor<br>2 LEDs, use a 680 Ohm resistor<br>3 LEDs, use a 390 Ohm resistor<br>4 LEDs, use a 120 Ohm resistor<br>See <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2019/10/modelling-with-leds.html">this page</a> for all the details on the electrical side of things.<br><br>One can also place a pulse width dimmer on the 12V bus so that you can dim all the lights at once, but it will act on all of them which is not very useful. If you want to vary the brightness one can also control the maximum brightness of individual LEDs by running them from a RemoteSign ESP at <a href="https://remotesign.mixmox.com/p/connecting-leds-to-remotesign-esp.html" target="_blank">3.3V and a 120 Ohm resistor</a>. Once the building is complete, you can then experiment with the brightness to determine the best value.</li><li><b>Place</b> the light where it would normally be inside the building. Typically, lights are placed overhead in each room, so placing them on the underside of the ceiling is a much better choice than placing it on the floor. When the lights are placed high up, the light coming out of the windows falls down to the ground in a natural way and adds much more realism.<br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUNPLQhy2kXCi4QXUbpEYBeNWqYYAWeZS96kgkoj_qT1Jsyz46MoBm3N99SEjUio6P9aRfDWdPDJitVoU_KnDhM3h02tSlvj0zeSxjy65-ayIBZC-thbjrp3OJ_T2xhTNAblgNhLvlf5FeSEeCBuT9RRb5vc4_fVQxe1sKmRWsIu-kILECdAPfrkBW_U/s525/3.jpg"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUNPLQhy2kXCi4QXUbpEYBeNWqYYAWeZS96kgkoj_qT1Jsyz46MoBm3N99SEjUio6P9aRfDWdPDJitVoU_KnDhM3h02tSlvj0zeSxjy65-ayIBZC-thbjrp3OJ_T2xhTNAblgNhLvlf5FeSEeCBuT9RRb5vc4_fVQxe1sKmRWsIu-kILECdAPfrkBW_U/w640-h486/3.jpg" width="640"></a><br><br></li><li>Pay some attention to the <b>color </b>of the light. Use cool white LEDs for rooms that would likely be lit using fluorescent lighting. Use warm white for spaces that are likely lit using incandescent lighting, but be aware that many LEDs sold as 'warm white' are more like yellow. I sometimes add a bit of yellow acrylic paint to a cool white LED to give it a warmer color.</li><li>Take care with lighting <b>effects</b>. These days there are numerous products that will create special lighting effects such as the flickering start of a fluorescent light, welding, fades, etc. (For example <a href="https://remotesign.mixmox.com/p/esp8266-sample-sketch.html" target="_blank">RemoteSign ESP</a>). If you are using startup sequences, take care not to connect all the lights in the building to the same output that creates the effect. I once saw a video of a train station where the lights of every platform all flickered into life in perfect unison, which spoiled the whole effect of having some lights flicker on startup.</li><li>Some lights are <b>on all the time</b>. Don't feel it is necessary to be able to switch every light on and off, or have them going on and off at random times. Places such as station platforms are typically lit from dusk to dawn, so a single switched circuit can handle all those lights together. Other spaces such as station buildings and offices are lit all day, so those can all be powered by a circuit that does not have independent switching. Lighting that is not too bright can also be unnoticeable during the day, and can simpley be left on all the time. See <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2006/01/day-and-night-lighting-comparison.html">farm lighting experiment</a>.</li><li>Not <b>all rooms</b> are lit at the same time. Depending on the type of building, you may want to mask some windows off to simulate rooms that have their lights off. Consider which windows would be part of a single room though, you don't want to make it look like each room only has one window.</li><li>If the windows of your building are clear, illuminating the room will enable the <b>interior </b>to be seen. This then suggests you should also add appropriate interior details.<br>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF_eeYxqhh_qSzLeaoO_dmPrK0fPUPTMu5pm-xOve5Q5dvpUdX3l0w7S8X_WbtgTqAsgg4aQlLZzTth35Zo59Qj5YF3vaoMJP_YZZfJog61CjfOo3m1u06IdXbCf-YPOGfLetnlRZYZmgSKEVyp2LPGGN3tMaA3QBTBp8YVj4SOfeamj3yNi-Zt9-GkE/s4032/PXL_20230129_231502967.jpg"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF_eeYxqhh_qSzLeaoO_dmPrK0fPUPTMu5pm-xOve5Q5dvpUdX3l0w7S8X_WbtgTqAsgg4aQlLZzTth35Zo59Qj5YF3vaoMJP_YZZfJog61CjfOo3m1u06IdXbCf-YPOGfLetnlRZYZmgSKEVyp2LPGGN3tMaA3QBTBp8YVj4SOfeamj3yNi-Zt9-GkE/w640-h480/PXL_20230129_231502967.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>If you don't want to add interior details, then consider adding curtains or some window decoration so that the light shines through, but we can't see in.<br><br>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM0bulAR0kqFRwkGzhUhOkAhjJvi6ukeWdVICKp-2ib38Tww3JJzeDvcMdxRzLkYA9nlHA7GCp7Ij54yS1hLo2Cb1hJyZDClX52lZ_49VsHd2mvvFsIYp2EWDwsvplDFjArj5BvrqUW5DvrVUpv8pxsWaI-x_AUZv1grtYyrPj1aXGO19k2D0yz7hm5Q/s3854/PXL_20230430_155700181.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM0bulAR0kqFRwkGzhUhOkAhjJvi6ukeWdVICKp-2ib38Tww3JJzeDvcMdxRzLkYA9nlHA7GCp7Ij54yS1hLo2Cb1hJyZDClX52lZ_49VsHd2mvvFsIYp2EWDwsvplDFjArj5BvrqUW5DvrVUpv8pxsWaI-x_AUZv1grtYyrPj1aXGO19k2D0yz7hm5Q/w238-h400/PXL_20230430_155700181.jpg" width="238"></a></div><br><br></li><li><div>Think of where the <b>wires </b>will run. You don't want thick wires to create shadows or large visible 'pipes' if one can see through the windows. Wires can be collected into small tubes (E.g. a straw) or carefully glued into a corner of the room. You can now buy the small surface mount LEDs already soldered onto 'Litzen' wires which are thin as hair.</div></li><li><div>It is best to include the LEDs when you build the kit. Access is better, and one can drill holes for wiring, add masks, etc.</div></li></ol><div><br></div><br><p><br></p><p><br></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-71333274691972806342024-01-28T22:32:00.005-05:002024-01-30T09:37:57.382-05:00Changing Intellibox firmware<p>The Uhlenbrock Intellibox is a groundbreaking device that came out in the 1990s. Not only does it support three different track protocols (Motorola, DCC, Selectrix) at the same time, it also supports <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2018/07/LocoNet-Intellibox.html">LocoNet</a> and the IC2 bus, s88 sensor input and Märklin boosters. It provided two speed controllers too.</p><p>It was also upgradable, so when Uhlenbrock made improvements we could load updated firmware.</p><p>When I got my Intellibox it had version 1.203 installed. I found it incredibly stable and bug free. I read about updates over the years but never felt compelled to make any changes, since all the updates did not affect how I used my Intellibox. </p><p>Recently I managed to short my Intellibox and I substituted another one I had obtained a few years ago in case of such a situation. This second device was running version 1.55 which is the latest version that was available for free. I was having some problems and I was not sure if the problems I was seeing were due to the newer version. I therefore decided to see if I could downgrade it to 1.203 to answer that question.</p><p>I had saved some of the update programs over the years but have never used any of them. The older update programs required us to create a bootable floppy disk, which would start the computer up in DOS, precluding anything else from running in the background. This is because the firmware update could not be interrupted in any way or the update would fail. I found one old PC with a floppy drive, but it does not have a serial port, so I could not use that to load the firmware.</p><p>Later, Uhlenbrock also released a CD image that could be burned onto a bootable CD. This CD created a RAM drive and copied the 1.55 update file into the RAM drive. This ensures that the program could read the file without any interruptions. </p><p>I tried to modify the ISO image file to add the older firmware files and I made numerous CDs but the files copied to RAM only included the 1_55.IB file, never the additional files I was trying to add. Once booted, I was also not able to switch to another CD to access and copy additional files. So I eventually gave up trying to make a bootable CD.</p><p>I had also downloaded a more up to date Windows program from the Uhlenbrock site that is used to update to version 2.0 called IBUpgrade. I installed that and selected the 1_203.IB firmware file but it declared that to be an invalid file.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f37B9YZxXwmhuCmrDnIeBuuNi_PuYzDrP4i6469AM4vXAVdnvhiQBv4asazSifyw2sAQuOKPK9jJdriTcFOeOeGuAhXaxqA0dkJ314VYkMz8RMKtTLPRbcpoUTRv6cFiKNYrB2vy_a-At3S8Di6Sy5H_A6YHPB3jmGNilDP-UpwfePqeTV8IaSDuOqs/s439/IBUpgrade.png"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f37B9YZxXwmhuCmrDnIeBuuNi_PuYzDrP4i6469AM4vXAVdnvhiQBv4asazSifyw2sAQuOKPK9jJdriTcFOeOeGuAhXaxqA0dkJ314VYkMz8RMKtTLPRbcpoUTRv6cFiKNYrB2vy_a-At3S8Di6Sy5H_A6YHPB3jmGNilDP-UpwfePqeTV8IaSDuOqs/w375-h400/IBUpgrade.png" width="375"></a></div><br><p>I wrote to Uhlenbrock asking if they could perhaps create a CD image with all the free versions so we could select the firmware version. After numerous mails they directed me to use their windows update program at <a href="https://uhlenbrock.de/de_DE/service/download/software/I0011930-001.htm" target="_blank">https://uhlenbrock.de/de_DE/service/download/software/I0011930-001.htm</a> and they also sent the firmware files I was interested in.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIeKfLREVfJayZW7BdVfvVi-NRtaPc6i6dcWtM0MmvHyUVmFrlwT5_JnxkTBIxtPS1uYJDigquIaqC2HnrCyJEFF9gUMzawBYiUrAkFb-09qDOjR61O7SOA8yN_9NCj_So_gCyeOInvJ_Gb0D_cLg34_kdPFP_UIIA_CV-uYswMvHgiSSmBdXvByGDLc/s371/IBUpdate.png"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIeKfLREVfJayZW7BdVfvVi-NRtaPc6i6dcWtM0MmvHyUVmFrlwT5_JnxkTBIxtPS1uYJDigquIaqC2HnrCyJEFF9gUMzawBYiUrAkFb-09qDOjR61O7SOA8yN_9NCj_So_gCyeOInvJ_Gb0D_cLg34_kdPFP_UIIA_CV-uYswMvHgiSSmBdXvByGDLc/w369-h400/IBUpdate.png" width="369"></a></div><br><p>Of course I said I had already tried that and at that stage they said, I am using IBUpgrade and I should be using IBUpdate. See the difference? They have two programs that look identical, and only differ from each other in names that are synonyms of each other! Update vs. Upgrade.</p><p>So, I uninstalled IBUpgrade and downloaded and installed IBUpdate. I was able to select the 1_203.IB firmware file and start the process.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcNuMolpJqPCF0p7o4ATaRCiTh9Oo5Rk8ZrR2dgTay_kCCQCn3QM5K2UCocGnrEo8luVHXkdhaxiGFziCwjjbCUbQ_1GTSmbxCRGdOxS3TxIAhIRVrH_ued6vRzndM_VDBhlC22WwF0VKDTXWVZvyij-H-RcYk2pP9z6waLQD_qZYMRDD_n8Ufo0MjL8/s3971/PXL_20240125_174944340%20(1).jpg"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcNuMolpJqPCF0p7o4ATaRCiTh9Oo5Rk8ZrR2dgTay_kCCQCn3QM5K2UCocGnrEo8luVHXkdhaxiGFziCwjjbCUbQ_1GTSmbxCRGdOxS3TxIAhIRVrH_ued6vRzndM_VDBhlC22WwF0VKDTXWVZvyij-H-RcYk2pP9z6waLQD_qZYMRDD_n8Ufo0MjL8/w640-h440/PXL_20240125_174944340%20(1).jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p>Finally I could load different firmware versions and test to see if the older version made any difference.</p><p>It did not make any difference. As soon as I connect a Märklin booster and switch track power on, the s88 bus gets filled with garbage data. You can read about that saga <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2024/01/an-electrical-disaster.html">here</a>.</p><p><br></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-37560011684166818592024-01-01T12:39:00.020-05:002024-01-28T22:37:12.888-05:00An electrical disaster (A geek tragedy)<p>This is how I managed to destroy an Intellibox (IB) and two boosters at once. Well OK, it is still somewhat of a mystery, but here is the story...</p><p>I have 4 power districts on my layout, powered by my Intellibox and three boosters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiZoCGl5IHZ2QtoYZvRq5Q2NMZ4oaL4Y1VpSde6cVePVCeSCB4JMQVrPq-1Y8OV6zthY6d0mF29lvHwO0U1HXqo0eJW5Lz4_3MWQJDron7YQiA67WhwUaUXFTv1P0nMOzQLmh0JNnWbzzyf7CAW_C4GmJLHTuETJ64leDOjvQZdm1WhnOIn_L3d9gvJA/s982/PowerSupplies.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="982" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiZoCGl5IHZ2QtoYZvRq5Q2NMZ4oaL4Y1VpSde6cVePVCeSCB4JMQVrPq-1Y8OV6zthY6d0mF29lvHwO0U1HXqo0eJW5Lz4_3MWQJDron7YQiA67WhwUaUXFTv1P0nMOzQLmh0JNnWbzzyf7CAW_C4GmJLHTuETJ64leDOjvQZdm1WhnOIn_L3d9gvJA/w640-h336/PowerSupplies.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Everything shares a common ground, including other small devices around the layout that run on 16VAC or 5VDC or 12VDC. I run using mixed Motorola and DCC protocols.</p><p>One of those devices is a <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2023/12/how-marklin-turntable-7286-works.html">turntable</a> which takes 16VAC and rectifies that to drive the motor using DC. There are six contacts that go to the turntable:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Track center rail</li><li>Track running rail #1</li><li>Track running rail #2</li><li>Motor positive</li><li>Motor negative</li><li>Solenoid</li></ul><div>The track connections are digital, i.e. a square wave AC signal.</div><div>The turntable motor connections are all about 20V DC </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHcvp3tAeLkIcHw0Ar46neth6mQQ6jCHx-TwttX4Tac57Bq8N6N27MEvk5mZsvCukF84afT-BB_SXHI2c1_KMoYuX8amf95f9lND1ZrJvW4azw30TZQL3EehbORbUo6Kpld6KBNjPBoLdifw6n-jeEMUBbMwQHiKpBS1fL6BFEqUMtTsF7mPTTyNl4j8/s1390/PXL_20231226_221318825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1390" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHcvp3tAeLkIcHw0Ar46neth6mQQ6jCHx-TwttX4Tac57Bq8N6N27MEvk5mZsvCukF84afT-BB_SXHI2c1_KMoYuX8amf95f9lND1ZrJvW4azw30TZQL3EehbORbUo6Kpld6KBNjPBoLdifw6n-jeEMUBbMwQHiKpBS1fL6BFEqUMtTsF7mPTTyNl4j8/s320/PXL_20231226_221318825.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I was trying to resolve a contact problem and I was measuring the voltages on the contacts shown above and I may have measured the voltage between the turntable power contacts and one of the rail contacts. A voltmeter should not be able to conduct much current between its probes.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next thing I noticed was that the IB screen was dark. It had blown the 3A fuse on its power supply line. I replaced the fuse. The Intellibox complained of a short and then presence of an external voltage. After that it would no longer power on. I attempted a <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2023/12/repairing-output-stage-of-intellibox.html">repair of the Intellibox</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>After placing another Intellibox (running version 1.55) in service, I found that the <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2015/03/s88-panel.html">sensor bus</a> was reporting nonsense, and the last booster in the chain of boosters was making trains in its section move, and lights flicker. I traced the problem to the first and second Märklin 6015 boosters! Once I removed them, trains in the last power district worked normally and there were no spurious sensor reports.</div><div><br /></div><div>I obtained a used Märklin 6017 booster and tried that, and I got the same result. No matter which of the three Märklin boosters I connect, I get s88 interference and trains start running even when the IB is in STOP mode. It is as if they are putting analog current out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have an old Modellbahn Ott 100W booster and I connected that in the same place as the Märklin boosters and it does not exhibit any problems.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update 2024-01-05</b></div><div>I obtained another Märklin booster - a 6015.</div><div>This one does not send bad output to the tracks, but when rail power is on, I get the junk s88 readings. This is now making me suspect that there is something wrong with the s88 bus of the Intellibox. Track output seems to be leaking into the s88bus, but only in the presence of a Märklin booster. I will be restesting to see if I can locate a defective s88 module, however I believe this is not the case because with the Ott and Power 3 boosters, they all work fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Special Option 901 = 3. This controls the asymmetry of the digital signal, and a value of 3 is recommended when using 6015 and 6017 boosters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a summary of the behavior of each of the 6 boosters I have:</div><div><br /></div><div><div>A = Märklin 6015</div><div>B = Märklin 6015</div><div>C = Power 3</div><div>D = Modellbahn Ott 100W booster</div><div>E = Märklin 6017</div><div>F = Märklin 6015</div><div><br /></div><div>IB 1.203 IB -> A -> B -> C. Everything was OK</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> A -> B -> C. STOP: flickering and trains moving GO: s88 garbage</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> A. STOP: flickering and trains moving GO: s88 garbage</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> B. STOP: flickering and trains moving GO: s88 garbage</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> C. All OK</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> D. <strike>All OK</strike> (See update 2024-01-11)</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> D -> C. <strike>All OK</strike> (See update 2024-01-11)</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> E. STOP: flickering and trains moving GO: s88 garbage</div><div>IB 1.55 IB -> F. STOP: OK GO: s88 garbage</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update 2024-01-06</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes, when one of the Märklin boosters is connected, I can select a loco address if the track power is off. If the track power is on, then an attempt to select any loco is met with the message "Error" in the loco address area. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcjtFEx9s3fNjCsONDi3cNIQfJg63wna2y6iyS2Z6hL3eLK37RWKNGnUCr86vWpgLt2AqlT9FP7x9bgWQWt7dFfbt31GiMh37GjxaLv7GbPvVroRG-nf_dh9_ylHVTrsbabU-JExPAzK2VC1nwzDgoVNZ4ryXGhvhO1m-dnWDd2PUzLOnhpcaH149YrQ/s2873/PXL_20240105_200805748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1869" data-original-width="2873" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcjtFEx9s3fNjCsONDi3cNIQfJg63wna2y6iyS2Z6hL3eLK37RWKNGnUCr86vWpgLt2AqlT9FP7x9bgWQWt7dFfbt31GiMh37GjxaLv7GbPvVroRG-nf_dh9_ylHVTrsbabU-JExPAzK2VC1nwzDgoVNZ4ryXGhvhO1m-dnWDd2PUzLOnhpcaH149YrQ/w400-h260/PXL_20240105_200805748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>(Note the irony in that the error message has German style hyphenation on an English word! I noticed this error is not in the IB control though.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I wrote to Uhlenbrock support and described this problem and they replied saying this error occurs if the Loconet is corrupted and that the Intellibox is in need of repair. (See below on an update on this.)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update 2024-01-11</b></div><div>We have found that if we disconnect the connection (red) to the rails, from a Märklin 6015 booster the corruption of the s88 bus stops, and returns as soon as it is connected again.</div><div><br /></div><div>My son and I spent a day disconnecting everything from the red feed in one of the power districts (all trains and K83 / k84 modules) and it makes no difference. To me this now suggests that there is electromagnetic interference occurring between the bundles of s88 sensor wires and the track power lines. The s88 bundles are all shielded cables and have never given any problems in 20 years.</div><div><br /></div><div>We also found that if we waited long enough, the Modellbahn Ott booster does indeed also precipitate false s88 changes, but way fewer than with the working 6015 booster we have.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we connect the Power 3 Booster to <i>any </i>of the 4 power districts, <i>no corruption of the s88 bus occurs</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I now believe that the IB is <u>not defective</u> in terms of a bad s88 bus port or booster output. I also think the corruption of the Loconet is because the IB gets overwhelmed by the number of s88 changes. This explains why the loconet goes haywire when track power is on, that is when the false s88 messages come flooding in.</div><div><br /></div><div>So despite the IB working perfectly with Märklin boosters for decades, a 6015 no longer works with this IB. The only difference I know of is that this IB is running a newer version of the firmware (1.55). If version 1.55 really did not work with Märklin boosters I am sure that this would be a well known problem though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Uhlenbrock now maintain that the Märklin boosters do not work well with DCC signals. This is strange because they have worked fine in the past and there is a special option (901) which specifically adjusts the symmetry of the digital signal to support them. Uhlenbrock recommend using Power 3, Power 4 or Power 40 boosters instead.</div><div><br /></div><div>The difference in behavior of my original 6015 boosters (A & B) plus the 6017 (E) I bought on eBay compared to the 6015 (F) I bought on eBay, make me believe that both my original boosters died and the 6017 I bought, also suffered a similar fate before. That booster (E) has now been returned.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am now looking for Power 3, Power 4 or Power 40 boosters.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am also going to test with sending only motorola packets to rule out DCC as being the issue, and I am also going to get an old computer going that will allow me to load an older firmware version to see if that resolves the problem.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Update 2024-01-14</b> </div><div>I got rid of all DCC signals by setting the following special options:</div><div><div>SO 6 = 1</div><div>SO 12 = 0</div><div>SO 22 = 6</div><div>SO 25 = 2</div><div>SO 901= 1</div><div>SO 904 = 28</div><div>SO 907 = 1</div><div>SO 909 = 198</div><div>SO 931 = 1</div></div><div><br /></div><div>As expected, the Märklin booster still causes corruption on the s88 bus.</div><div><br /></div><p></p><p><b>Update 2024-01-28</b></p><p>I managed to <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2024/01/changing-intellibox-firmware.html">downgrade the firmware</a> of the IB to 1.203 - which is what my original IB was running.</p><p>It behaves the same. So it is not the firmware version.</p><p>I have some second hand Power 3 boosters on their way from Germany. I hope they resolve the problem.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-63610308912043295092023-12-31T12:08:00.015-05:002024-01-04T16:30:09.317-05:00Upgrading the Märklin 7286 turntable<p>My <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2023/12/how-marklin-turntable-7286-works.html">Märklin 7286 turntable</a> was not moving so it was long overdue for a service. While I did that, I also decided to do some upgrades to make it work better than before.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe1J7nx0tWIyruE_BeVqeP1s53XI7cLd3QAEDDVl1lBGkOk43O-6SifOwUSki7rjgpQimBjoijiPTFVs7jFO3ZcqQFplNk_O3QO_azV_N5DEZycpj-YNfpJAauN8BmcTe97cEv77acWwf8wCzLJSgP9vVIDTEEqvHYbVHA-gBW1-CddUDA3T0i6MvEeE/s3024/PXL_20231227_030502373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="3024" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe1J7nx0tWIyruE_BeVqeP1s53XI7cLd3QAEDDVl1lBGkOk43O-6SifOwUSki7rjgpQimBjoijiPTFVs7jFO3ZcqQFplNk_O3QO_azV_N5DEZycpj-YNfpJAauN8BmcTe97cEv77acWwf8wCzLJSgP9vVIDTEEqvHYbVHA-gBW1-CddUDA3T0i6MvEeE/w640-h408/PXL_20231227_030502373.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I describe here how I carried out the following upgrades:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Improved rotation</li><li>Improved electrical contacts</li><li>Added lighting to the control shed</li><li>Added control desk direction indicators</li><li>Added an operator in the control shed</li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><p></p><div><br /></div><div><b>Improved rotation</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The turntable was designed to work with analog layouts. Track power is provided to the running rails and the center rail from below, and there are contacts at both ends of the bridge to transfer this power to the current spoke track. This allows one to only power the spoke track one is using, allowing locomotives to be left on other tracks unpowered. On a digital layout, all the tracks can be powered all the time, making all these contacts superfluous. Not only do these contacts add resistance to the rotational movement, they also make clicking noises and they even cause short circuits between the center rail contact and the running rails of the spokes. I had previous defeated the connectors around the edge of the turntable by <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2004/12/ensuring-turntable-center-contacts-do.html">jamming them</a> in. I decided it was time to take it a step further..</div><div><br /></div><div>The center rail on the turntable has two metal plates that lie between the running rails. I cut the ends off both with hacksaw, filed them smooth and painted the ends black.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjZ2S1xM1zj17W6DhZ2Zg_RQyqOJDDW0RgP-14GnGkLqS-LXe-vIa3feyAEAjpiG03QBFRJvKB0NKjpLP_M8A1F0YBPHEHEA9Tu22tsWcbjvOrROdlGQJXZw8oKBib0EygdQc4nnEGEAsDbXNr3nsOd5ULbMI3_2pKVKTXYXEUVlwPQmgmB0dUO-Z0QI/s1656/PXL_20231215_231424734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="1557" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjZ2S1xM1zj17W6DhZ2Zg_RQyqOJDDW0RgP-14GnGkLqS-LXe-vIa3feyAEAjpiG03QBFRJvKB0NKjpLP_M8A1F0YBPHEHEA9Tu22tsWcbjvOrROdlGQJXZw8oKBib0EygdQc4nnEGEAsDbXNr3nsOd5ULbMI3_2pKVKTXYXEUVlwPQmgmB0dUO-Z0QI/w376-h400/PXL_20231215_231424734.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><div>On the underside of the bridge, at the end of each rail was a small contact. I cut all four off with some small side cutters:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9UkW5yAqQPRPGbAKoU5eYHSlrmN_0u_SluGxaX17WDPZ_6ohyDeN39EKw4XRw_ACHnHpZ6TtMKwSBNQoO3IphStx-2e1Cfu_cf9_9r2jJIux9Uah8PzeNABSEGM0ccIpzun_DjbfKyJ9vR7ZdpQkp8HV0ahWmmxEC9z4MP5TuQTt5FmcqGxgWJFD8N4/s2452/PXL_20231214_222529576.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="2452" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9UkW5yAqQPRPGbAKoU5eYHSlrmN_0u_SluGxaX17WDPZ_6ohyDeN39EKw4XRw_ACHnHpZ6TtMKwSBNQoO3IphStx-2e1Cfu_cf9_9r2jJIux9Uah8PzeNABSEGM0ccIpzun_DjbfKyJ9vR7ZdpQkp8HV0ahWmmxEC9z4MP5TuQTt5FmcqGxgWJFD8N4/w640-h354/PXL_20231214_222529576.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This results in a much smoother and quieter rotation.</div><div><br /></div><p></p><p><b>Electrical contacts</b></p><p>The turntable bridge pivots about on a central support ("Königsstuhl") which has some concentric contacts. These contacts needed cleaning so I rubbed them with a very fine sandpaper and also cleaned them with some contact spray applied with a cloth.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-wvylElT1pfqORVqx87bNJOi5xXD60WfFos7aQGifR_lmXvfCHNQVWL-OM4Neh4V4riKm3J2krrBLuvhIKMXaLZI-eZvOOzUyeI0S3WPSAl9nx_8UftoCyFhZCABPg4y8c504RvOyrKvTQSMHFohciMSXuNAhR3enJR1bIBGR7lN_mwqXomf3aBV2-4/s1390/PXL_20231226_221318825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1390" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-wvylElT1pfqORVqx87bNJOi5xXD60WfFos7aQGifR_lmXvfCHNQVWL-OM4Neh4V4riKm3J2krrBLuvhIKMXaLZI-eZvOOzUyeI0S3WPSAl9nx_8UftoCyFhZCABPg4y8c504RvOyrKvTQSMHFohciMSXuNAhR3enJR1bIBGR7lN_mwqXomf3aBV2-4/w400-h350/PXL_20231226_221318825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I also cleaned the finger contacts on the underside of the bridge that ride along on the contacts:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wTibJoVtH9zH21VD1mKNYbPWMEyFNf5doYZ6MrqytYZQ3Rv9Q9GsHojqPNPwvYfm-VnYpcKZwjNLwwYtH01yTcYL34rIlMYpj5EurOrVwY4ds_Grcf2tl7a0FS-kD_PyxFt4UzXqr40JKiWPHW_k-B56WAnjHxqeU9E43JeHQdbWr5oCNw7Lbz6j-_o/s1433/PXL_20231226_221310683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="645" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wTibJoVtH9zH21VD1mKNYbPWMEyFNf5doYZ6MrqytYZQ3Rv9Q9GsHojqPNPwvYfm-VnYpcKZwjNLwwYtH01yTcYL34rIlMYpj5EurOrVwY4ds_Grcf2tl7a0FS-kD_PyxFt4UzXqr40JKiWPHW_k-B56WAnjHxqeU9E43JeHQdbWr5oCNw7Lbz6j-_o/w288-h640/PXL_20231226_221310683.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p>Despite good contact on the supporting side, I could not get one of the running rail contacts to work, despite bending the finger downwards to apply more pressure, so I gave up and soldered a wire between the two rails.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins6kFSlq0HFALvKS5rvzOtJnlqq1z1-o2791ZhdGD5mNz-4QLgQzg421hoYE52NPno2pCZSWzRqMRCep2H0kP9RrB-fppyXcs90w2jZa46a-2WJKJwNX4o401FQPaHnVZYnO36wI2oC7FpSRh8WnYfZheM8ICSCHOfRdcdHEWQTwphyphenhyphente5vLB4Pk0mjM/s1267/PXL_20231226_223523944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1267" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins6kFSlq0HFALvKS5rvzOtJnlqq1z1-o2791ZhdGD5mNz-4QLgQzg421hoYE52NPno2pCZSWzRqMRCep2H0kP9RrB-fppyXcs90w2jZa46a-2WJKJwNX4o401FQPaHnVZYnO36wI2oC7FpSRh8WnYfZheM8ICSCHOfRdcdHEWQTwphyphenhyphente5vLB4Pk0mjM/s320/PXL_20231226_223523944.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Control shed</b></p><p>It always annoyed me that there was no light in the control room, so it was time to fix that. The shed unclips from the bridge providing good access to the interior. The glass windows are made from a single translucent piece that has a small dimple in the ceiling, a perfect size for adding a surface mount LED.</p><p>First I looked closely at the LED with a magnifier to determine which wire was connected to the end with a small dot. This is the side that has to be connected to negative. I tied a small knot in the other end of that wire.</p><p>I taped the LED into the top and ran the fine wires to the the corner of the building .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlRIn6VFFQthoH2qkbpS0c2z2Vf6nFi-O9eN2O2V6nVDN0nMlli64MX75AoASz8SEE6nJodw8YOxeN-98TkKM3v-bdZf2l3h3c3UiVT5uWMLa6VgxjebYKQTDG9AvigjRga7dU4WD8tpLlGh03oK2bpzfbSRfx5pggdPYXrQ4eJgQ6QDrS6lCJk3Hj58/s1613/PXL_20231215_170409716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1613" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlRIn6VFFQthoH2qkbpS0c2z2Vf6nFi-O9eN2O2V6nVDN0nMlli64MX75AoASz8SEE6nJodw8YOxeN-98TkKM3v-bdZf2l3h3c3UiVT5uWMLa6VgxjebYKQTDG9AvigjRga7dU4WD8tpLlGh03oK2bpzfbSRfx5pggdPYXrQ4eJgQ6QDrS6lCJk3Hj58/w400-h343/PXL_20231215_170409716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I then inserted the glass into the shed, keeping the wires between the glass and the outer frame at the corner so they cannot be seen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH55OsGH44XQbIaJ0AJ9FEteSiYA12tyfl3-yMhT_dWhI7wyp_HhFRGccATo1dPizFU2_1Du78mV84tGrsXMo-K_ogLzTZ58UKfF7ZDII7iqzPl7wZd6ZWG6T6eNmZtVEp_-WKMI22qLMQiDhopfdlr8ILvWYFanAIxiBqUlzeN4Qc0t56PXSfp36BzUw/s2148/PXL_20231215_170545469.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="2148" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH55OsGH44XQbIaJ0AJ9FEteSiYA12tyfl3-yMhT_dWhI7wyp_HhFRGccATo1dPizFU2_1Du78mV84tGrsXMo-K_ogLzTZ58UKfF7ZDII7iqzPl7wZd6ZWG6T6eNmZtVEp_-WKMI22qLMQiDhopfdlr8ILvWYFanAIxiBqUlzeN4Qc0t56PXSfp36BzUw/w400-h266/PXL_20231215_170545469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>There is enough room in the hole that the building clips into, to pass the two wires through to the underside of the bridge without having to drill a hole.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR1OmrTjQp4gYlVGY0HBVRhQz0ENvayE44rvzXkA9bKTk___QhT9dxECdQtLD8im-A4xu7V79EMh2Gg-lUT5YAst_L-1YPAEWe0VnBqH4SYoPRheOULzHXFyZ1vDswlPHuQ6zyQvLwHx9RqtBgFzSyLyVw5JXGnJhK2d5zKRPuEIOvgnIRT8l8XX9QW8/s1461/PXL_20231215_170819254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="1089" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR1OmrTjQp4gYlVGY0HBVRhQz0ENvayE44rvzXkA9bKTk___QhT9dxECdQtLD8im-A4xu7V79EMh2Gg-lUT5YAst_L-1YPAEWe0VnBqH4SYoPRheOULzHXFyZ1vDswlPHuQ6zyQvLwHx9RqtBgFzSyLyVw5JXGnJhK2d5zKRPuEIOvgnIRT8l8XX9QW8/w478-h640/PXL_20231215_170819254.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><p>I decided to power the light using the power from the track as I did not want it only going on when the turntable was moving. Since the track contains the digital signal, it is AC and thus needs a diode to only allow the current to flow in one direction, plus the usual protection resistor.</p><p>The rails provide one side of the power source for the light, so I needed to get power from the center rail. I soldered a wire onto the small contact that conducts the center rail current to the parts between the tracks:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3Td11mVeBlfKQn1Hja1gRoYMkCeid5gE0wLq2-kZREqhU_QK7I6A2btSwu3uIJsPXUqXz4tefYgnFnhTT3ffAqqd583wy3Jn2cOCF75r5y7Jq3rjI2bxrvc8S_jvof0Evx_qkrzSFZUJu4SBu-RfDbgcCCVdwzqwKNl3r-Wkmu3i6OpLWc7Ep3m5ubE/s1845/PXL_20231215_223943324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="1561" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3Td11mVeBlfKQn1Hja1gRoYMkCeid5gE0wLq2-kZREqhU_QK7I6A2btSwu3uIJsPXUqXz4tefYgnFnhTT3ffAqqd583wy3Jn2cOCF75r5y7Jq3rjI2bxrvc8S_jvof0Evx_qkrzSFZUJu4SBu-RfDbgcCCVdwzqwKNl3r-Wkmu3i6OpLWc7Ep3m5ubE/w542-h640/PXL_20231215_223943324.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVuYmpqmcYtBXhyphenhyphengI1dPkP1FtzkLjM1_O0najZ2YYuPCyUkulJLTc7nme6z3cyTZgKkQpfo83Bf_cUWY3RuK9DUNAMy50vBxmJZr-o6SawsWji9UEHzm4uSiJx8alMuixdq6cO8IPkrcLzft7JosbGOsURdcpVNc2cXPMDLMIfD50THRojhPxTO3w0XQ/s1892/PXL_20231215_224600109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1892" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVuYmpqmcYtBXhyphenhyphengI1dPkP1FtzkLjM1_O0najZ2YYuPCyUkulJLTc7nme6z3cyTZgKkQpfo83Bf_cUWY3RuK9DUNAMy50vBxmJZr-o6SawsWji9UEHzm4uSiJx8alMuixdq6cO8IPkrcLzft7JosbGOsURdcpVNc2cXPMDLMIfD50THRojhPxTO3w0XQ/w640-h380/PXL_20231215_224600109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I drilled a small hole next to where the contact sits:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxis9F6cgrU-FBgowEkf6VTdzh6Z5F0IvagAMRlhAHShQfd8GcX6AXyQul_fFFGrRyACWh6HIu706dr8i4ETwKnupxFNKYDBlEPWnWyXDb01vdy3B5JwFkI55E7vDhycoNWyNUCbkGnGtZeQvzTbNKSQeVlUi682ZK4m9V8-z0LQ6Eh4WL1tjJ0qGfL4/s1399/PXL_20231215_224102485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1252" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxis9F6cgrU-FBgowEkf6VTdzh6Z5F0IvagAMRlhAHShQfd8GcX6AXyQul_fFFGrRyACWh6HIu706dr8i4ETwKnupxFNKYDBlEPWnWyXDb01vdy3B5JwFkI55E7vDhycoNWyNUCbkGnGtZeQvzTbNKSQeVlUi682ZK4m9V8-z0LQ6Eh4WL1tjJ0qGfL4/w572-h640/PXL_20231215_224102485.jpg" width="572" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>and threaded the wire though and soldered it to a 1N4001 diode.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPrzljTxFBVuGiDIpEZTXQk4-jtWIm-kpzwrH7DcMqdAe2kyxLBEtHAABCn5hOjgaVrM8wS4_uHWwtRy_OpQ91QHeFRErdTbc1EIL9b1NXxVP8B04OIkZKSTlEa56rJBZV0XiJ32JA1JxxN9a7dJttRAjgM2EliJadY17N7ND00i6G38ET3c5tUiTIzo/s2059/PXL_20231215_225904164.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="2059" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPrzljTxFBVuGiDIpEZTXQk4-jtWIm-kpzwrH7DcMqdAe2kyxLBEtHAABCn5hOjgaVrM8wS4_uHWwtRy_OpQ91QHeFRErdTbc1EIL9b1NXxVP8B04OIkZKSTlEa56rJBZV0XiJ32JA1JxxN9a7dJttRAjgM2EliJadY17N7ND00i6G38ET3c5tUiTIzo/w640-h376/PXL_20231215_225904164.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The other wire was soldered to a 2K Ohm resistor soldered to one of the running rail contacts.<br /><p>A quick test showed the light worked well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqbpmebcH1JkNIRlbi0yszErJmbbjfQHSgc2bXSgK2sHtTXMdG4c2CPrPgvRtTAJGkdcrpao4MM7kNADhFE9mQNKoEzT8DV1cdomo36-obRzeWmXTX_X5VYqarPuCdzmAxNlzBt5sdQAMuawB4pnYHjO6OoERa8zhnO3uSHt3tL-xIq0y5ds3qiAK-rA/s1776/PXL_20231215_230531811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1776" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqbpmebcH1JkNIRlbi0yszErJmbbjfQHSgc2bXSgK2sHtTXMdG4c2CPrPgvRtTAJGkdcrpao4MM7kNADhFE9mQNKoEzT8DV1cdomo36-obRzeWmXTX_X5VYqarPuCdzmAxNlzBt5sdQAMuawB4pnYHjO6OoERa8zhnO3uSHt3tL-xIq0y5ds3qiAK-rA/w400-h300/PXL_20231215_230531811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Control desk direction indicators</b></div><div><br /></div>I thought it would be nice to put red and green LEDs into the control desk so that when the bridge moved one way, a green light would go on, and the red LED would indicate the other direction.</div><div><br /></div><div>I drilled a very small hole in the middle of the control desk.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgoX9y0bHBUDVDTJgnnH7bo3ACdyveAUGSzaOsNcMPuY8u0Ja_k2gZvBbcsJ4flz10r2x_gscIfn_oDD1EyUzSquQ2T6abuh1bLr7Xcnz0psXp9vPb5Qe_kUW_MXAJqN-l5kl_W6Kt-dyxLM1JGqmR4N2BekSDT9uErC0uADaD7EuJStrtBO9LV8jUGc/s1770/PXL_20231215_025929397.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="1651" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgoX9y0bHBUDVDTJgnnH7bo3ACdyveAUGSzaOsNcMPuY8u0Ja_k2gZvBbcsJ4flz10r2x_gscIfn_oDD1EyUzSquQ2T6abuh1bLr7Xcnz0psXp9vPb5Qe_kUW_MXAJqN-l5kl_W6Kt-dyxLM1JGqmR4N2BekSDT9uErC0uADaD7EuJStrtBO9LV8jUGc/w373-h400/PXL_20231215_025929397.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><br /><div>I then connected the two LEDs in antiparallel. (I did not have a green SMD LED so I used a red SMD and a much bigger green one)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNxGeeU1-HG3j8HtG6E_GrwzYHpepWj8mSQonvGPAaj-EpjogADIpZMBESePsiqmX7U6fx7r0sDe5jvhyphenhyphenO9rmB2N6BXFyP_tSWcFhomi2maDgru-Jua7YZ_f-JrBnhCOkWPdZcIIlTR2W5dTpeo20JElNnxHbYnHas5VddntTKzccBnLnsy7I8CuAN9c/s1538/PXL_20231215_154749088.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1538" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNxGeeU1-HG3j8HtG6E_GrwzYHpepWj8mSQonvGPAaj-EpjogADIpZMBESePsiqmX7U6fx7r0sDe5jvhyphenhyphenO9rmB2N6BXFyP_tSWcFhomi2maDgru-Jua7YZ_f-JrBnhCOkWPdZcIIlTR2W5dTpeo20JElNnxHbYnHas5VddntTKzccBnLnsy7I8CuAN9c/s320/PXL_20231215_154749088.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This illuminates the red LED when the current flows in one direction, and the green LED when the polarity is reversed. These were then inserted into the hole on the underside and one side was soldered onto a 2K Ohm resistor.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEwi4-z2u-CNPewgp0hlhxBKxNIVSXf-fyqruinJ3MthFv5kX5Ufv0TSVLLXbaHKcBTh2wKJQEmjPX2PAaLRkBcjjsDtfIXG_CNIyDsPpIkPObDzrSELw90zRuDB-GBRbKxgHAbYOZYUM6GkhyQUPyv2RJsIiUagn-4bHicrJF4FkVtPvRTuIw4FSvWw/s1163/PXL_20231215_163847010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1163" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEwi4-z2u-CNPewgp0hlhxBKxNIVSXf-fyqruinJ3MthFv5kX5Ufv0TSVLLXbaHKcBTh2wKJQEmjPX2PAaLRkBcjjsDtfIXG_CNIyDsPpIkPObDzrSELw90zRuDB-GBRbKxgHAbYOZYUM6GkhyQUPyv2RJsIiUagn-4bHicrJF4FkVtPvRTuIw4FSvWw/s320/PXL_20231215_163847010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The pair of LEDs then had to be connected to the motor terminals, so that red will indicate one direction and green the other. One motor terminal is easy to connect to, but the other required a contact to be temporarily removed to solder a wire on.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkANfIkD-YqWoJVN2Ev-OhPF1vds8E4CUxTmlN1O1XtL83RBSjwYILw5NWmoCiXMuyztxhZOIdJyMMZK8Ek57n7TfMlBu8PHlff1l5dgd94s5_w1qgc08GvyeV0OnKfCsw8B0DNZR5u3hLe7y4J8CAWxgZq6sdyGpmd6lZryTN3gWdUACAQTasxGnJcFs/s929/PXL_20231215_033334573.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="929" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkANfIkD-YqWoJVN2Ev-OhPF1vds8E4CUxTmlN1O1XtL83RBSjwYILw5NWmoCiXMuyztxhZOIdJyMMZK8Ek57n7TfMlBu8PHlff1l5dgd94s5_w1qgc08GvyeV0OnKfCsw8B0DNZR5u3hLe7y4J8CAWxgZq6sdyGpmd6lZryTN3gWdUACAQTasxGnJcFs/s320/PXL_20231215_033334573.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It works:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVtT2mu_9uRnsxH38DarR2Qa17CB1mnjtlVTGBW3GiNjwPh4bnVPm_jRiwQw7RbodoKYjzz6X7CHfBLTHlhVUA1U42Hvjf44u3xeS5GxRCnl-PTgHLV6Y3hDRHmcLNrrLp9L8NZDMre98yA04wMrp88dpkZyeBbD2hNBx8aHhdUgYMSgUjmKuf8vcbrA/s1579/PXL_20231215_030745222.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1579" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVtT2mu_9uRnsxH38DarR2Qa17CB1mnjtlVTGBW3GiNjwPh4bnVPm_jRiwQw7RbodoKYjzz6X7CHfBLTHlhVUA1U42Hvjf44u3xeS5GxRCnl-PTgHLV6Y3hDRHmcLNrrLp9L8NZDMre98yA04wMrp88dpkZyeBbD2hNBx8aHhdUgYMSgUjmKuf8vcbrA/w640-h542/PXL_20231215_030745222.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>however, the control room light is too bright for them to show up well. I need to increase the size of the resistor on the room light.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Operator in the control shed</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I found a person that looked suitable and glued him in front of the control desk.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBKkR62cgwKdXaXCo7VKoQA8E51G7eHVhKOoM1vGqFJysC1OI1R29K3mndq6PM5RkKpPBXzPlnNIwK0Vw3WysAT_3ot_vyeTRzD7mNdu805NIXAQWCcpMB2WH1qft6rtYEmIOQvin4871lDkO2HbgOcux_XcqsGvnyeeN0o2gNe-EnsciOsFtb13QUVc/s1190/PXL_20231227_024519315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBKkR62cgwKdXaXCo7VKoQA8E51G7eHVhKOoM1vGqFJysC1OI1R29K3mndq6PM5RkKpPBXzPlnNIwK0Vw3WysAT_3ot_vyeTRzD7mNdu805NIXAQWCcpMB2WH1qft6rtYEmIOQvin4871lDkO2HbgOcux_XcqsGvnyeeN0o2gNe-EnsciOsFtb13QUVc/s320/PXL_20231227_024519315.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-45484994687580809652023-12-31T10:35:00.004-05:002023-12-31T10:38:35.362-05:00MDOS<p> A blast from the past....</p><p>I came across some old archived files from April 1992 which included a copy of my program for controlling trains with a Märklin 6050 interface. The program was started in 1988 and demonstrated publicly in 1989 at the University of Natal Winterfest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxRXPL8x0YUqM-Lb9iy9BTpY03sy-be0-Hxbhl9TXQ01DrrNd00JYa4QYeARPUzpfuUrv4d3JlIQus5jnlZunT7Wy8orw2HgiBbwXgJhPyqzkCn2c2CmSVFdbJs3OL6SULubyutaBN_zw8LZEH6a02I4d9xk2CKXmaOKhMhZeGwiuOmzupGCtJuX-AEc/s2923/PXL_20231231_153142089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="2815" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxRXPL8x0YUqM-Lb9iy9BTpY03sy-be0-Hxbhl9TXQ01DrrNd00JYa4QYeARPUzpfuUrv4d3JlIQus5jnlZunT7Wy8orw2HgiBbwXgJhPyqzkCn2c2CmSVFdbJs3OL6SULubyutaBN_zw8LZEH6a02I4d9xk2CKXmaOKhMhZeGwiuOmzupGCtJuX-AEc/w385-h400/PXL_20231231_153142089.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br /><p>The executable file is just 43K in size!</p><p>Here is the description file:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In my spare time I over the last five years, I have been working on a Turbo </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Pascal program for the Märklin digital system.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I have used earlier versions to demonstrate the Marklin digital system at </span><span style="font-family: courier;">the ComputerFest held at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa in </span><span style="font-family: courier;">1989 and also at a modelling exhibition in Durban in 1990.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I have uploaded the file MDOS.ZIP containing my program in its present form </span><span style="font-family: courier;">as well as MDOS.DOC which is a brief description in ASCII format. MDOS.DOC </span><span style="font-family: courier;">is also contained in the MDOS.ZIP file.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">System requirements are minimal. No graphics card is required. Colour is </span><span style="font-family: courier;">nice but not required. An 8088 is adequate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Future plans include complete automatic control, full crane and turntable </span><span style="font-family: courier;">support, digital sound output, graphics layout diagrams that can be built </span><span style="font-family: courier;">up from tiles, wagon lists that enable automatic train lengths and speed </span><span style="font-family: courier;">limits etc. Given sufficient incentive, I may contemplate other digital </span><span style="font-family: courier;">systems as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Although I live in Germany my mother tongue is English but I invite </span><span style="font-family: courier;">comments in either German or English.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">D M Schultz</span></p></blockquote><p>Here is the content of the MDOS.DOC file:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Brief description of MDOS (Maerklin Digital Operating System)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The program is a test version only and is NOT FINISHED. I invite feedback </span><span style="font-family: courier;">and suggestions as to possible methods of distribution. Shareware ?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">MDOS is a control program for the Maerklin Digital Interface. The following </span><span style="font-family: courier;">can be controlled independently:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> 80 locomotive addresses</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> 256 electro-magnetic devices</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> 496 switches can be monitored.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It should run on any PC compatible machine and is written in Turbo Pascal </span><span style="font-family: courier;">5.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The program detects the type of display adaptor and sets its colours </span><span style="font-family: courier;">accordingly. The colours are fixed at present.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Locomotives run at SCALE speeds. E.g. 120 km/h not 'level 9'</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Any number of the locomotives an be linked together allowing multiple </span><span style="font-family: courier;">heading. A circular linkage is not possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Each locomotive accelerates properly according to its power, mass of the </span><span style="font-family: courier;">train and in addition the acceleration will not exceed that which would be </span><span style="font-family: courier;">possible given its axle loading and number of axles applying tractive </span><span style="font-family: courier;">force. i.e. maximum tractive effort, before wheel slippage occurs. Train </span><span style="font-family: courier;">mass is divided evenly between all locos pulling that train.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Forward and reverse speed limits can be set for each loco.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">At present the layout diagram is very rudimentary and is made from ASCII </span><span style="font-family: courier;">files. The layout diagram can be scrolled. Up to 10 magnetic devices can be </span><span style="font-family: courier;">allocated to any key. Eg. key G can set 10 of the 256 possible devices.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Redundant command are not sent. The program hooks for automatic travel have </span><span style="font-family: courier;">been built into the program but are not yet implemented.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">During normal use of the program, the program is never in a wait state. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">i.e. all accelerations are being monitored and the respective commands are </span><span style="font-family: courier;">being send out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The interval between the reading of all switches via s88 modules can be </span><span style="font-family: courier;">specified.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Any s88 module can be tested. A schematic view of an s88 module is </span><span style="font-family: courier;">presented and can be read, decoded and displayed at 28Hz on a 386/25.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The setting of every locomotive can be resent at a specific time interval </span><span style="font-family: courier;">or on demand by pressing f9. This is useful if a loco did not receive a </span><span style="font-family: courier;">command due to a bad contact or was not on the rails at the time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">At program start up, all locomotive addresses are set to stop.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The special function if the 6080 decoder can be switched on and off </span><span style="font-family: courier;">independently of loco speed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Additional functions have been temporarily programmed as follows:</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"> function 1 key f5<br /> function 2 key f2<br /> all off key f6<br /> function 1 & 2 key f7</span></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: courier;">this is for the testing of a digital crane. f7 thus allows the boom to be </span><span style="font-family: courier;">raised and swung simultaneously.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">At present, a loco cannot be deleted from a file.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Decoder DIP switch settings are shown when you set the decoder address.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">USING MDOS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">MDOS looks for a configuration file called MaeRKLIN.CFG. If this file is not </span><span style="font-family: courier;">in the current directory, you will be prompted for configuration </span><span style="font-family: courier;">information.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Once the program is running you are presented with one or more odometer </span><span style="font-family: courier;">scales.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">f1 gives help on the key commands available. ESC pauses the system and pops </span><span style="font-family: courier;">up a menu that will allow you to alter the configuration, loco information, </span><span style="font-family: courier;">test an s88 decoder, alter points settings etc. If you have more than five </span><span style="font-family: courier;">locos defined, use PgUp & PgDn to move through screens of five locos at a </span><span style="font-family: courier;">time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">IMPORTANT</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">If you do not have a Maerklin Digital Interface connected, set the Serial </span><span style="font-family: courier;">port to Zero (0). This will allow the program to run but all commands will </span><span style="font-family: courier;">be sent to the NUL device. You cannot test an s88 module if the port is set </span><span style="font-family: courier;">to zero. You also cannot specify the number of s88 modules that you have </span><span style="font-family: courier;">unless you have a valid port number.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">If the .LAY file cannot be found, MDOS will create one from the. .ASC file </span><span style="font-family: courier;">which must be an ASCII file. If you want to change the .LAY file, edit the </span><span style="font-family: courier;">.ASC file and delete (or rename) the .LAY file.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Locomotives can be chained together by specifying the loco number (not the </span><span style="font-family: courier;">decoder address) of the next loco to be controlled, in the loco </span><span style="font-family: courier;">configuration screen. Eg if loco 1 is linked to loco 3, all commands issued </span><span style="font-family: courier;">for loco 1 will be repeated for loco 3.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">For correct Double-heading, the locos should be correctly calibrated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Automatic calibration can be carried out by selecting B from the 'Change </span><span style="font-family: courier;">loco info' menu option. This ensures that correct scale speeds are </span><span style="font-family: courier;">achieved. Calibration is carried out by sending the loco in question up and </span><span style="font-family: courier;">down past two track switches having a known distance from each other and </span><span style="font-family: courier;">measuring the time delay between the two switches. This is then converted </span><span style="font-family: courier;">to the correct scale speed and is saved to disk along with the rest of the </span><span style="font-family: courier;">information for the loco. For automatic calibration one naturally needs an </span><span style="font-family: courier;">s88 encoder. Calibration speeds can also be entered manually via the loco </span><span style="font-family: courier;">configuration screen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The file MDOSDEMO.LOK defines 8 locos of varying type, mass and power.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Locos 6, 7, 8 & 3 are linked. When controlling linked locos, the maximum </span><span style="font-family: courier;">speed for the set will be the speed limit of the slowest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">You will notice that the acceleration for the different locos will be in </span><span style="font-family: courier;">accordance with their axle weight and mass of the entire train.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">If you find the start up screen too time consuming, press any key.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">This version of MDOS contains allows the selection of either English or </span><span style="font-family: courier;">German (in the configuration menu). All keystrokes are however still </span><span style="font-family: courier;">language independent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">DISCLAIMER</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">D M Schultz does not accept ANY responsibility for incorrect operation of </span><span style="font-family: courier;">the MDOS files or any equipment damage that may arise from using the </span><span style="font-family: courier;">program.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">D M Schultz</span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>If you have an old PC that runs DOS, you can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RUYcSAM9DSdhKjdtU28LVXRJhzkN-SjU/view?usp=sharing">download the program</a>.</p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-53224744103975295062023-12-30T16:53:00.006-05:002024-02-18T11:50:45.502-05:00Repairing the output stage of the Intellibox<p>After 23 years of use, I managed to burn out my Intellibox!</p><p>I think it happened when I was measuring the voltages of my turntable and I must have touched the track center rail contact with one of the probes. The 3A quick blow fuse on the power supply line to the Intellibox blew. I replaced that and then the Intellibox (IB) complained about a short. I disconnected things and tried a few times and then it said "Attention Extern. voltage".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhismjYoNnt6kivBhFTenJ7q7leDqbn9U2cL7E8T8Li9pJZSc2DujYF2Y1ZHC06M5NTD-n5o2tCtFnfQx-qvTk-IiMSABMqX2q3siuZw1a7vmUIXZ-DlDGjFyg2KDumSObwf0xUtHjU5McAYaIrITAijds9152wODngMHauD5ThlbFjLn72zFYqBtZOL6Y/s2022/PXL_20231216_002634022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="2022" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhismjYoNnt6kivBhFTenJ7q7leDqbn9U2cL7E8T8Li9pJZSc2DujYF2Y1ZHC06M5NTD-n5o2tCtFnfQx-qvTk-IiMSABMqX2q3siuZw1a7vmUIXZ-DlDGjFyg2KDumSObwf0xUtHjU5McAYaIrITAijds9152wODngMHauD5ThlbFjLn72zFYqBtZOL6Y/w640-h228/PXL_20231216_002634022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I disconnected everything from the IB and all it would display was the same error.</p><p>This is how I went about repairing it. Though unsuccessful, the method of doing the work may be useful to others.</p><p>I recalled online discussions from years back that one had to drill out the plugs on the underside in order to open the IB case. I did so (but used a drill bit somewhat oversized) and opened it up. Nothing could be seen to be destroyed, but the obvious candidates are the two power output transistors. These were BD535 and BD536.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EukfqKVvUATVpbbPHnLQ6HV9w-KV68jXeXB1x9HskhWsAvjWgh_zXznIgbL4VhmCd_aoL9D5TBrru_18NpAByFwE9ocno6Cq6CQYMXBgHGmncN5yL_mifspqbyH2MmA3ZZRxRnqx5CUFyGiZl_U6y4SumkD2XgUHBNLdzKe4R79UiUV0V7eLA_GbTjs/s1845/PXL_20231211_011747295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1845" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EukfqKVvUATVpbbPHnLQ6HV9w-KV68jXeXB1x9HskhWsAvjWgh_zXznIgbL4VhmCd_aoL9D5TBrru_18NpAByFwE9ocno6Cq6CQYMXBgHGmncN5yL_mifspqbyH2MmA3ZZRxRnqx5CUFyGiZl_U6y4SumkD2XgUHBNLdzKe4R79UiUV0V7eLA_GbTjs/w640-h426/PXL_20231211_011747295.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I could not find replacements online and I asked in the <a href="https://groups.io/g/IBX" target="_blank">IBX</a> online forum for suggestions and also emailed Uhlenbrock support. As usual, J.J. McVeigh was extremely helpful and said that he had successfully replaced the transistors with NTE152 and NTE153, and that their 4 Amp rating would not be a problem since the IB output is limited to 3A. I ordered some online and started removing the old transistors. Uhlenbrock replied that they replace these with BD911 and BD912 (Also not readily available in the USA.)</p><p>This comprises cutting their legs off and unscrewing them from the heat sink:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO4-NCBTWfySTEXKK2n01UqOgwr90whG64KygPm0WkSm67C5kC0OrslSVXKIPuYFEW8BjT2hrp9en7hDkvrQK_Px972eS9RJjeO7Yf4TF2_Lfi1_UyfBdlwa9A3cV7XCO2NvrzuEbUidFRIbDFa6vVWLcmmcQxkVbR3qPXkYFlafC0cP35AnC6OTHC8w/s2070/PXL_20231213_013510432.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="2070" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO4-NCBTWfySTEXKK2n01UqOgwr90whG64KygPm0WkSm67C5kC0OrslSVXKIPuYFEW8BjT2hrp9en7hDkvrQK_Px972eS9RJjeO7Yf4TF2_Lfi1_UyfBdlwa9A3cV7XCO2NvrzuEbUidFRIbDFa6vVWLcmmcQxkVbR3qPXkYFlafC0cP35AnC6OTHC8w/w640-h442/PXL_20231213_013510432.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>and pulling the pins out the underside while melting the solder from the top:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EwOH3P6e_7i0lcEYapWsxVZJxSZ3W5NvTD0qQbXX0_q9FejOjW1Z7Q4BICHc8H65Mi_fM5hzmh3OwcyxTtOlb40xAJxtF8LsRkF9HLfrCUt1OJvvacxQoC8TtJijU0mt5cSUV3oiL7phjNaIyCSnk2C1pKyofWiiJJOG0G1P0CT3EJ2Klf0TzipHIxY/s1616/PXL_20231213_014017961.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1616" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EwOH3P6e_7i0lcEYapWsxVZJxSZ3W5NvTD0qQbXX0_q9FejOjW1Z7Q4BICHc8H65Mi_fM5hzmh3OwcyxTtOlb40xAJxtF8LsRkF9HLfrCUt1OJvvacxQoC8TtJijU0mt5cSUV3oiL7phjNaIyCSnk2C1pKyofWiiJJOG0G1P0CT3EJ2Klf0TzipHIxY/w400-h336/PXL_20231213_014017961.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>To get the solder out of the holes I used some flux paste and some copper solder wick</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuYGBYTfEXmXKPMZTUH9zJXM-Fmcc1dB1gJaWjiZwThAyaoLfE4cGPAxWmjNpwcca_L5fjx33jUUbVfZZzUjCmS5d6zlHtNh_gJt34sDoO6YkGbjSyJMoNVtTYS27wTWvfyOpQJOJsocOg33yWwyZI0RwO5vJjAUVnCcAG66Qt_O9EqQCwzBylRV41yc/s1185/PXL_20231213_024321725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuYGBYTfEXmXKPMZTUH9zJXM-Fmcc1dB1gJaWjiZwThAyaoLfE4cGPAxWmjNpwcca_L5fjx33jUUbVfZZzUjCmS5d6zlHtNh_gJt34sDoO6YkGbjSyJMoNVtTYS27wTWvfyOpQJOJsocOg33yWwyZI0RwO5vJjAUVnCcAG66Qt_O9EqQCwzBylRV41yc/w343-h400/PXL_20231213_024321725.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><br /><p>I then cleaned up the flux with some alcohol.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlptcgBvd0yXYLsXOGRJxnIGIKQQartGmMAHnSnwHMYLZdFvJ2bL_bO9juXOmJIMtmk-ObCDuzEWSXSssp05lk4_m7DIbGVGBxulpqejgwXrDQ-4uWCwIS_cj9WKBmoby984kaxyIMpi9RZ-g6r9v3m2p6sMQeylPuKyLjGRYJSwDAuH0aHiqNv1b3xaE/s1743/PXL_20231213_024230621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1743" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlptcgBvd0yXYLsXOGRJxnIGIKQQartGmMAHnSnwHMYLZdFvJ2bL_bO9juXOmJIMtmk-ObCDuzEWSXSssp05lk4_m7DIbGVGBxulpqejgwXrDQ-4uWCwIS_cj9WKBmoby984kaxyIMpi9RZ-g6r9v3m2p6sMQeylPuKyLjGRYJSwDAuH0aHiqNv1b3xaE/w640-h338/PXL_20231213_024230621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>One of the transistors tested to be bad, so I was confident I was replacing the correct items.</p><p>The new components arrived:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEElqWvPd-Tc6xcz_OGrgz0CNX3lAhEv-DQp5TSeQxr9ONbS6owhVwEy4sS3cSRPtq7LzVUtX1zl1MOtYONr-yIMgHe3laQ8DgDKD2vpwHxOQ_dGzK4RvWHZZ3B6mZFpzPkW4oM0ozc7OniLYScJAgSRM-hESC7J1mVeK0rm2tYbrPaGL4dgci94BD5M8/s1476/PXL_20231215_235843998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1476" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEElqWvPd-Tc6xcz_OGrgz0CNX3lAhEv-DQp5TSeQxr9ONbS6owhVwEy4sS3cSRPtq7LzVUtX1zl1MOtYONr-yIMgHe3laQ8DgDKD2vpwHxOQ_dGzK4RvWHZZ3B6mZFpzPkW4oM0ozc7OniLYScJAgSRM-hESC7J1mVeK0rm2tYbrPaGL4dgci94BD5M8/s320/PXL_20231215_235843998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>and it was pretty easy to solder install them. After careful cleaning, I used the existing insulation pads, screwed the new transistors in place and then soldered the legs in. The effect of the heat sink meant that the middle legs called for a 700°F soldering iron.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTt2-mCOFfLWyWnRWDR_-fT9eJjxCMPXszeZ5-JqBEwGGV__hu-JU8K-slBrltO56kTm8-GZoFL9Bfs_zL13Zeg3hJSS2lsWIUMNNbz37FTZUVeY8MJAFdSO1nooXkK8KVSxpRJsByqITYZbSRirsJck-oM5nWRq4kfvIvUQA1cxgm0LeibXa4NMBaFM/s1117/PXL_20231216_232400034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1117" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTt2-mCOFfLWyWnRWDR_-fT9eJjxCMPXszeZ5-JqBEwGGV__hu-JU8K-slBrltO56kTm8-GZoFL9Bfs_zL13Zeg3hJSS2lsWIUMNNbz37FTZUVeY8MJAFdSO1nooXkK8KVSxpRJsByqITYZbSRirsJck-oM5nWRq4kfvIvUQA1cxgm0LeibXa4NMBaFM/w400-h383/PXL_20231216_232400034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I reassembled all the parts and tried it out, and sadly I still get the same error. Something else in addition to the power outputs appears to be damaged. I may need to ship the IB back to Germany for repair at Uhlenbrock.</p><p><br /></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-27726084479453413842023-12-11T16:55:00.035-05:002024-01-04T16:16:25.025-05:00How the Märklin turntable (7286) works and how to control it digitally<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I needed to understand the internal working of my <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2023/12/upgrading-marklin-7286-turntable.html">turntable</a> so that I could optimize its digital operation. I have documented what I found below.</span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Märklin turntable (7286) is a rebadged Fleischmann product and adapted for 3-rail running. It is a very nice prototypical looking turntable and has 48 possible track positions at 7.5° intervals.
</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65sCMMKsblWBZlS-PzqT3YvQZdgBhfb1xsmMEy5YOyaHCqmKiehT-0HR5cYWFcRBlGhf-DhkKuI50bZDIcChcNQifU1TagUl-9a7qdj1sBt9Z4rUsalB96ZiFToRfsXZwpvuCUiwyNDlyQYd4M-eDnCUxPcEIgWaxfLSN3EaT5WU1vs4BenJcjJYcWh8/s4032/PXL_20231205_194212580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65sCMMKsblWBZlS-PzqT3YvQZdgBhfb1xsmMEy5YOyaHCqmKiehT-0HR5cYWFcRBlGhf-DhkKuI50bZDIcChcNQifU1TagUl-9a7qdj1sBt9Z4rUsalB96ZiFToRfsXZwpvuCUiwyNDlyQYd4M-eDnCUxPcEIgWaxfLSN3EaT5WU1vs4BenJcjJYcWh8/w640-h480/PXL_20231205_194212580.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />It can be controlled manually on an analog layout and digital control is also possible, but not out of the box. (More on that later.)</span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Both ends of the turntable bridge have contacts that make connections with tracks around the edge. This allows transfer of power from the turntable to spoke tracks, ideal for analog layouts, but it can cause a problem with digital layouts due to contacts shorting to the always powered tracks as it turns.</span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To remove the bridge, unscrew the screw between the rails in the middle. Lift up the screw and a contact clip and the two metal plates that make up the center rail.</span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Two edge slots, three slots apart, have to be removed from around the perimeter in order to lift the small end of the bridge out. </span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74VDK0vpe8T16CaS5lHIOZdvE0X4Do8xpPnUP4ukpk4nGsBS2R7HhiEqifMNCGMAFXWMjuS2Cn5vXy_14pY6b4-2nuvyHUFlWlxLOo-X_FP94ynlIE_vN16lAirYSX5FXxscEtmehWCCkmYM1rN7_gAT6_FdNzWJH3R7pYEHLNjxAMhj4XVT4eGNFLY4/s4032/PXL_20231209_210101939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74VDK0vpe8T16CaS5lHIOZdvE0X4Do8xpPnUP4ukpk4nGsBS2R7HhiEqifMNCGMAFXWMjuS2Cn5vXy_14pY6b4-2nuvyHUFlWlxLOo-X_FP94ynlIE_vN16lAirYSX5FXxscEtmehWCCkmYM1rN7_gAT6_FdNzWJH3R7pYEHLNjxAMhj4XVT4eGNFLY4/w640-h480/PXL_20231209_210101939.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The bridge sits atop a set of six concentric contact rings. Below the turntable they are connected via a ribbon cable to a small interface board. Some of the connections are bridged with capacitors on the underside.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNbrkhXgR_kBZWklCwBqMD1UkapPlVGGaAHVZLK444KTX8x0-QBE2g8HyrajYSEBl4IPx0V6c5GCBm0MKB05kBwcZNRVQuHJrFdQ0qCcpkvv8CgeQgUl7OoAI6yG84S30QUCmAyEEfYZYO3QTS40YIv5P2u2Z0Vv4Q6ipEfxkR-43n6aEcEp_dUB3KAs/s4032/PXL_20231209_210109608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNbrkhXgR_kBZWklCwBqMD1UkapPlVGGaAHVZLK444KTX8x0-QBE2g8HyrajYSEBl4IPx0V6c5GCBm0MKB05kBwcZNRVQuHJrFdQ0qCcpkvv8CgeQgUl7OoAI6yG84S30QUCmAyEEfYZYO3QTS40YIv5P2u2Z0Vv4Q6ipEfxkR-43n6aEcEp_dUB3KAs/s320/PXL_20231209_210109608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The contacts are as follows:</span></p></span><p></p><span><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="121"></col><col width="96"></col><col width="464"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Contact ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Label on</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Interface</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">board</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Function</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (center)</span></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">B</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Center rail of bridge</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Motor - positive for clockwise movement</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Motor - negative for clockwise </span>movement</p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Relay - negative to turn it on</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">5</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">0</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (near 1)</span></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rail adjacent to shed</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">6</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (outer ring)</span></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">0</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (near end)</span></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rail opposite the shed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">On the underside of the bridge is a motor mechanism. The entire mechanism can slide a short distance along the length of the bridge. This allows a driving gear at the outer end of the motor mechanism to engage with, or be disengaged from, the teeth around the side of the turntable pit. A small hand lever can be pushed towards the center of the turntable to disengage the mechanism, allowing the turntable to be freely repositioned. A small spring reengages the motor mechanism when released.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mL2E6L5GuRDxPF1XHPOuyO735k4x6pEo8KFnW-FVxzaWU-EjcKDSCMu3JmD3Km-XQfgtdpbWVJEsLlydUBNx38CW9aIVpjEI94kJCldwl5cFMln6KRFVIh2Mgn4oiaHpyuOw9MaJYv7UZFkUgjzwPDHwDVnk6ZV7fMSHsBZlt37CJlPrcQJZRt83pKs/s3444/PXL_20231209_211740334.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1691" data-original-width="3444" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mL2E6L5GuRDxPF1XHPOuyO735k4x6pEo8KFnW-FVxzaWU-EjcKDSCMu3JmD3Km-XQfgtdpbWVJEsLlydUBNx38CW9aIVpjEI94kJCldwl5cFMln6KRFVIh2Mgn4oiaHpyuOw9MaJYv7UZFkUgjzwPDHwDVnk6ZV7fMSHsBZlt37CJlPrcQJZRt83pKs/w640-h314/PXL_20231209_211740334.MP.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLRmRmujW5vMuVLRX87IKHwx4yL_lRwZbZa0Pnp7bFYCG0M2JBQ8W9dC59rJ4M17MjeSEsqrRJ0oaQFBVWVg6yZA0oF-9CkwuVXeSUdVGXcOH4l7vMKsSuAMgfsIJ-uI7p1T4xYZSmhuNH-Geh0dyWz6GWZZsBETyu5EdvRUK5NvzgDaDDd6fOdI3WWQ/s3456/PXL_20231209_213936957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="3456" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLRmRmujW5vMuVLRX87IKHwx4yL_lRwZbZa0Pnp7bFYCG0M2JBQ8W9dC59rJ4M17MjeSEsqrRJ0oaQFBVWVg6yZA0oF-9CkwuVXeSUdVGXcOH4l7vMKsSuAMgfsIJ-uI7p1T4xYZSmhuNH-Geh0dyWz6GWZZsBETyu5EdvRUK5NvzgDaDDd6fOdI3WWQ/w640-h234/PXL_20231209_213936957.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The motor mechanism has a relay which is connected in such a way that when the relay is energized, it will close a switch in the motor circuit. In addition, the relay is mechanically connected to the main drive gear so that the switch is held closed except at 4 positions of the main drive gear, 90° apart. Thus, the motor circuit switch is closed and operable, if either the relay is energized or the drive gear is not at one of its 90° positions. 90° of rotation of the drive gear corresponds to 7.5° of rotation of the turntable bridge. There is also a third way the motor circuit switch can be closed, the hand lever that disengages the motor mechanism can also be pushed towards the outer edge of the turntable.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rotation of the turntable bridge is achieved by energizing the relay and applying a voltage to the motor. To stop at the next turntable position, the coil is de-energized. The bridge continues to turn while the mechanical latch holds the switch closed. When the drive gear reaches one of its 90° positions, the latch is pushed into a notch on it by a spring, which opens the switch in the motor circuit, stopping the turntable. It is locked in place until the coil is energized and voltage applied to the motor.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To stop at a specific track beyond the track adjacent to the starting track, the coil must remain energized until it is within the last 90° of rotation of the drive gear. There is no feedback mechanism to know the speed of the motor so control systems using this setup have to rely on a time delay before de-energizing the relay.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Negative voltage on coil (4) will engage the relay if either motor line (2/3) is positive.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If the motor switch is closed, a positive voltage on 2 (and negative on 3) will drive the turntable clockwise and a positive voltage on 3 (and negative on 2) will drive the turntable counterclockwise.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The wiring schematic in my turntable is as follows:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15Z5sXZmTuuECNivxK6dJZLFvx1ts92NKB-uFiyg-NEwFyDgrZ9_BcFrA0h8xQ_vpmyTFMmZSheGii8dInY_RwsWsXUDlQ5S8dHyCdekHedYfJ8nMbNKZ91y2UsJRGScR8GovCAnzEXQi6Ujkko8R8vTUFUSv9Q9Lz6TQkodRRyJOe4xmuhGwCly-raM/s983/BridgeSchematic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="983" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15Z5sXZmTuuECNivxK6dJZLFvx1ts92NKB-uFiyg-NEwFyDgrZ9_BcFrA0h8xQ_vpmyTFMmZSheGii8dInY_RwsWsXUDlQ5S8dHyCdekHedYfJ8nMbNKZ91y2UsJRGScR8GovCAnzEXQi6Ujkko8R8vTUFUSv9Q9Lz6TQkodRRyJOe4xmuhGwCly-raM/w640-h318/BridgeSchematic.png" width="640" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Note that there are numerous versions of the turntable sold through various companies, and the wire colors and connection labels vary. The principle of operation is however, the same.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p></span><h1 style="text-align: left;">Inputs to control the turntable</h1><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Electrical input is direct current (12 - 16 Volts DC). If you want to use readily available 16VAC you should convert it to DC using a bridge rectifier (there is one you can use in the manual controller that comes with the turntable).</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><h4 style="text-align: left;">Controlling the turntable using a K84 type module.</h4><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One can use 3 addresses (A, B & C below) of a k84 module to control the turntable. Here is an example:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Connections</span></h4><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpto6iNyQPHGVx57N2pa8tXnkdf3rugBqSNBS_k-hf0chinFOhz3s7kpyz8X6mx5nJ21tOxQrcfGvSidYzn3doT06BPNc7_R93j2Jc7ebU_DW1twLevjVyGX6gd1gbx_bHUbNAmeoR7oZIeFhOzKB6zUpUOyTi1y5MkUvXjBeFhw4UCllzu1XiL6_pFwA/s324/K84connections.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpto6iNyQPHGVx57N2pa8tXnkdf3rugBqSNBS_k-hf0chinFOhz3s7kpyz8X6mx5nJ21tOxQrcfGvSidYzn3doT06BPNc7_R93j2Jc7ebU_DW1twLevjVyGX6gd1gbx_bHUbNAmeoR7oZIeFhOzKB6zUpUOyTi1y5MkUvXjBeFhw4UCllzu1XiL6_pFwA/s16000/K84connections.png" /></a></div><p></p></span><h4 style="text-align: left;">Turn clockwise</h4><span><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a9ac4506-7fff-7563-ab77-c42ba6157da5"><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="97"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="112"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Port/ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Voltage</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">K84s</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3/3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Negative</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Green</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2/2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Positive</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">B Green</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1/4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Negative</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">C Green</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Set port 1/contact 4 to positive (K84 C = Red) to stop at the next position</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><h4 style="text-align: left;">Turn counterclockwise</h4><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a0c5123e-7fff-ccba-04ef-3f2f0b5a87b5"></span></span></p><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="97"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="83"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Port/ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Voltage</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">K84s</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3/3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Positive</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Red</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2/2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Negative</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B Red</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1/4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Negative</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C Red</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Set port 1/contact 4 to negative (K84 C = Green) to stop at the next position</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p></span><h4 style="text-align: left;">Immediate halt</h4><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1799abff-7fff-3819-1d3c-50bae55f9512"><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="97"></col><col width="83"></col><col width="83"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Port/ring</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Voltage</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">K84s</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3/3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Positive</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Red</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2/2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Positive</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">B Green</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1/4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Positive</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">C Red</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span></span></span><h4 style="text-align: left;">Multiple position movements</h4><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In order to move a specific number of positions (for example 24 positions to move 180°) automatically you will need to time how long your turntable takes to move one position, and multiply that by the number of positions you want to remove, and subtract one half period, to determine when to set port 3/contact 4 to negative. For example, say it takes 2s per position, to move 5 positions you wait for 2s x 5 - 2s/2 = 9s.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Note that turntable speed can vary with temperature and even direction of movement.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><h4>Order of k84 commands</h4><div>If the K84 commands are sent in the order C, then A, then B, no unexpected movements will take place. Note however that with an Intellibox at least, there is no absolute guarantee in the order in which K84 commands are carried out. This is because if the Intellibox turnout buffer happens to fill up, some commands are not accepted and the software has to resubmit them, and that may result in them being executed out of order. Other systems may be similar.</div><div><br /></div></span><h4 style="text-align: left;">Other control methods</h4><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A number of third party companies have produced control systems. The most sophisticated I have read about is from the </span><a href="https://www.digital-bahn.de/bau_ds2010/dsd2010_konzept.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DSD2010 Digital-Bahn</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> but you do have to modify the mechanism extensively. It also provides lighting for the control room and outputs for signals, and an option for a sound module.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Märklin used to sell a <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2004/12/Digitizing-turntable-7286.html">digital controller (item 7687)</a> but early versions were very unreliable, and a number of people have opted for the k84 approach instead.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To get <i>reliable </i>turning to any specific track position, there has to be feedback from the turntable as relying on timings is fraught with sources of error. One approach I am considering is placing 48 reed contacts, connected to a single sensor, in a ring on the underside of the turntable and mounting a single magnet under the bridge. As the bridge moves, successive reed contacts will be closed and software can count the slots traversed and know how far the bridge has turned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bw</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In my <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/p/software.html">layout control software</a> I can define turntables as follows:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-ac6ojb8HZQi8LwIZCbCl0pI2tZtA-5Qn2W8l8x4eo6ea6NagmIzczx0lpup5HGtGtSeF9qC19vbmuqaK9HRep3uLRbcC8g4K4IWYSBZZlW3getBd8CEpFJJVNpFVgIPL-ibS3ru_0GAKCKRD0Fam4uSeEwuvqKk3FsIZgRuya9fQEEjw0uyVITH5nU/s826/defining.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="826" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-ac6ojb8HZQi8LwIZCbCl0pI2tZtA-5Qn2W8l8x4eo6ea6NagmIzczx0lpup5HGtGtSeF9qC19vbmuqaK9HRep3uLRbcC8g4K4IWYSBZZlW3getBd8CEpFJJVNpFVgIPL-ibS3ru_0GAKCKRD0Fam4uSeEwuvqKk3FsIZgRuya9fQEEjw0uyVITH5nU/w640-h412/defining.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And then it looks like this when running:</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrt9qdC2z4y-kMmW0bC1nDwLgmzmBNrhyphenhyphenGfEExKPnpBbf6op62h6nK6LaEBmyMiF2kvtNY4KTAkoQ8FZymJ6Qjkk2PQpfLpJw7BhVRtrTpm2zubf00nAWTTTTPEW12QbsFHUcXKDPACfCamAOVHbqaIqP0CjurDHTbJO4WwidworFejVAjEpcm8OFk7wI/s440/turntable.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="440" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrt9qdC2z4y-kMmW0bC1nDwLgmzmBNrhyphenhyphenGfEExKPnpBbf6op62h6nK6LaEBmyMiF2kvtNY4KTAkoQ8FZymJ6Qjkk2PQpfLpJw7BhVRtrTpm2zubf00nAWTTTTPEW12QbsFHUcXKDPACfCamAOVHbqaIqP0CjurDHTbJO4WwidworFejVAjEpcm8OFk7wI/w640-h612/turntable.png" width="640" /></a></div>Red on a track indicates that it is occupied.<p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I can optionally display radio buttons to select any track directly, or even any slot that is 180° away from any track.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-53Cz9FApVKPJzWqtdhB4pId_96ZuTmwX9Ferxc4WJnxIVnDcUG46aLYW8sZ8DU6jVALX5PydrbvCgqxAtPRgHBINgRrPwl5IwJsOrM7pu_hZ_7tHxxDDRTbgXVC_-Z59tn1GjpIihE5G91H6xZgk6TaTtRgUMYu9pS7eUZ9Pp9MIHYic2oit_3DyP3U/s433/turntable-slots.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="433" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-53Cz9FApVKPJzWqtdhB4pId_96ZuTmwX9Ferxc4WJnxIVnDcUG46aLYW8sZ8DU6jVALX5PydrbvCgqxAtPRgHBINgRrPwl5IwJsOrM7pu_hZ_7tHxxDDRTbgXVC_-Z59tn1GjpIihE5G91H6xZgk6TaTtRgUMYu9pS7eUZ9Pp9MIHYic2oit_3DyP3U/w640-h620/turntable-slots.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If the turntable is not motorized, the software makes a voice prompt to move the turntable to the required position.</span><p></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Upgrades</b></span></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have done some <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2023/12/upgrading-marklin-7286-turntable.html">upgrades to the turntable</a>.</span></div></span>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-72334505311878492152023-06-24T21:12:00.028-04:002023-12-31T10:51:10.406-05:00Faller Cathedral 130598<p>This Faller model of a cathedral bears a reasonable resemblance to the church in Bad Wilsnack, which is the town that I named my layout town after, so I decided it would be a very appropriate model for my old town. I have now assembled it and I report on how the construction progressed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQOb9eyBaLtEX540J0JIqDhHkxxhAF5aopEc8joFzOJfnCoOPGgI-BQQBsfMg6rDbihb83dwlNOmtgGyVWd1WOka5sfqVxGn3CTh3t4epmMxLmwlQ2agDuhQb9jLs6r37EhcSgZvLAuQm-Vs0tN3bUfTnrdL4ikZTwBe6z3obnsXBPO_VrxQ6G7t_6xU/s4032/PXL_20230628_152016531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQOb9eyBaLtEX540J0JIqDhHkxxhAF5aopEc8joFzOJfnCoOPGgI-BQQBsfMg6rDbihb83dwlNOmtgGyVWd1WOka5sfqVxGn3CTh3t4epmMxLmwlQ2agDuhQb9jLs6r37EhcSgZvLAuQm-Vs0tN3bUfTnrdL4ikZTwBe6z3obnsXBPO_VrxQ6G7t_6xU/w640-h480/PXL_20230628_152016531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The kit comes in a large box and is said to have 666 parts. My first step was to open all the bags and check that everything was present. I stacked them in piles on my desk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZHlCXHX8-EYlTotj1UPc1IF4RlfDxh0hblzvvY7aq8Whe-Q7ZCB2dUGJ5PM8hUz89pW4REgVizBqz-vYDSaeCcnqEuHPxg2tYMEIGFVr299CCY2x9znnHL5zaZ2OtReEgDRfZR4rs8PmJGHkt-YpByBNilYGS1Oiq743fyqy4xnXFec3v-R4qoguics/s3613/PXL_20230323_204856718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2377" data-original-width="3613" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZHlCXHX8-EYlTotj1UPc1IF4RlfDxh0hblzvvY7aq8Whe-Q7ZCB2dUGJ5PM8hUz89pW4REgVizBqz-vYDSaeCcnqEuHPxg2tYMEIGFVr299CCY2x9znnHL5zaZ2OtReEgDRfZR4rs8PmJGHkt-YpByBNilYGS1Oiq743fyqy4xnXFec3v-R4qoguics/w640-h422/PXL_20230323_204856718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Faller modelled the cathedral on the church in Bebenhausen which they included in their monastery kit 130816, adding some flying buttresses to make it more spectacular. The parts in the kit are therefore used in multiple models and it is clear that the design of the kit is more oriented around their ability to make parts economically for multiple kits, than ease and accuracy of construction.</div><p>There is no base for the building. The main body of the building is constructed from 4 parts, each of which is made from 'standard' wall panels with almost no fool-proof way to ensure that everything is square. I soon realized that accuracy was going to be very critical and I proceeded with utmost caution.</p><p>Some of the walls are made up from two parts, the joint between the parts being right in the middle of a course of stones, so no matter how carefully one glues them together, there will always be a line along the wall. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlgYnw3lWaWjt1EFQY876aZfDuePq2wZU8_XZuCV4NMHBVmOogeON7CsU_6x0xuVmJUW8mbnSAaUQcsqwcSP8-BaazUNP8eLs6klC32uynmF7PnlR86w-s_lS1_-6i7XccJdwDRzE4zRyRUNhZdN2FH5oiKM_AZY6QlX_SnMRErNzNqd-ld5bMNVANjs/s4032/PXL_20230325_160704660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlgYnw3lWaWjt1EFQY876aZfDuePq2wZU8_XZuCV4NMHBVmOogeON7CsU_6x0xuVmJUW8mbnSAaUQcsqwcSP8-BaazUNP8eLs6klC32uynmF7PnlR86w-s_lS1_-6i7XccJdwDRzE4zRyRUNhZdN2FH5oiKM_AZY6QlX_SnMRErNzNqd-ld5bMNVANjs/w640-h480/PXL_20230325_160704660.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The walls are molded from a mottled gray plastic which looks way to clean and sterile for an ancient building, so I weathered the pieces, sometimes before assembly and sometimes after joining smaller parts together. I do this by painting them with black acrylic paint and wiping most of the paint off before it dries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHEvD9-MEw3DOwYfXyRUbN-HkbWji4io352ibE4rDC2ybASEs-xfNCU4BlOYlaluV_csGSoORVn4dZcOCw8_FZcMVpPfuwE52f1xau4rKmzLJSY28IAUlC_Mj34Um_b5jl-x_72LI_oMIXIOZvsN_Zc3XEQwOb8NK7U1AbXdBUQQpGkFpnqBJD9bKemU/s2890/PXL_20230325_204636194.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="2742" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHEvD9-MEw3DOwYfXyRUbN-HkbWji4io352ibE4rDC2ybASEs-xfNCU4BlOYlaluV_csGSoORVn4dZcOCw8_FZcMVpPfuwE52f1xau4rKmzLJSY28IAUlC_Mj34Um_b5jl-x_72LI_oMIXIOZvsN_Zc3XEQwOb8NK7U1AbXdBUQQpGkFpnqBJD9bKemU/w608-h640/PXL_20230325_204636194.MP.jpg" width="608" /></a></div><br /><p>Due to the expected difficulty in getting the four main parts of the building joined perfectly square, I decided to leave them unglued until I had completed the interior light masks. The kit supplies seven heavy paper light masks that are to be folded up and inserted into the various parts of the building. The masks are mostly black and have very nice printed glass details for most of the windows, and perforated edges to aid accurate folding. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOwbNJ2yBiLztQy0jNysCjpqlqKfG_UKtSX-XYYQr4v4KuZudNuNXMMqvBhUIfY88u_SrFHKKwgNJZkTYgU-NRBDkQLIkNRQ79IMtX3pDSJAitIsCOfBFa7zsV9D5xK2qiwFF9UVAG90uN8MHdYU11WNt7BQt4bV1P5taPj9KRE8MM8Y0uvKiZ5XCDbA/s3590/PXL_20230326_151029698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="3590" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOwbNJ2yBiLztQy0jNysCjpqlqKfG_UKtSX-XYYQr4v4KuZudNuNXMMqvBhUIfY88u_SrFHKKwgNJZkTYgU-NRBDkQLIkNRQ79IMtX3pDSJAitIsCOfBFa7zsV9D5xK2qiwFF9UVAG90uN8MHdYU11WNt7BQt4bV1P5taPj9KRE8MM8Y0uvKiZ5XCDbA/w640-h374/PXL_20230326_151029698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Previous experience has taught me that light can leak out of the perforations, defeating the whole aim of the masks, so I added black paper along all the folded edges to ensure that the boxes were light tight. I also glued some 12 Volt LED light strips on the inside of each paper box to provide the interior light.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_CJzcLHI8w8NJKj5ygIIe9l0g9XN8y6rJSuSZKpAZmzcPQh1FSIYCk82mNxkuClisTlPQxQ-YyQ1_ikK25YzmKwjyNhUEp3t2Jhf40Ud7YxWRPiD5kzg6MY6S1s8lFsVmqig2VofXKtXETDn-Of5GS3yiFmaRyMeQ2Og32T1cfcr5uyZIegg_IRxue0/s4032/PXL_20230402_014518415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_CJzcLHI8w8NJKj5ygIIe9l0g9XN8y6rJSuSZKpAZmzcPQh1FSIYCk82mNxkuClisTlPQxQ-YyQ1_ikK25YzmKwjyNhUEp3t2Jhf40Ud7YxWRPiD5kzg6MY6S1s8lFsVmqig2VofXKtXETDn-Of5GS3yiFmaRyMeQ2Og32T1cfcr5uyZIegg_IRxue0/w640-h480/PXL_20230402_014518415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>One end of the church has a massive complex window with stained glass panels. It was at this stage that I found that the motif printed on the paper for this big window looked absolutely awful when placed against the plastic frame.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpkk1i5mCzh9of0JGAHYwPJaF76ZsgvjvC179fV_EmSWbez94f2KH05nQEplFx8PjLrBukSzp-pZ4w2Alyz0O41MwLirPWvYy-0-ocS8D1TVn6DV4kL1srndqoBsBnhfJ0ULTOZCooX47ILaYJccEjrJiljgWP1zRJI5yFKrVKSeL0q6IClXIoUCFP00/s4032/PXL_20230326_160914179.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpkk1i5mCzh9of0JGAHYwPJaF76ZsgvjvC179fV_EmSWbez94f2KH05nQEplFx8PjLrBukSzp-pZ4w2Alyz0O41MwLirPWvYy-0-ocS8D1TVn6DV4kL1srndqoBsBnhfJ0ULTOZCooX47ILaYJccEjrJiljgWP1zRJI5yFKrVKSeL0q6IClXIoUCFP00/w480-h640/PXL_20230326_160914179.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I decided I wanted something better than that so I tried making my own, which certainly looked better, but still somewhat unrefined.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChhwgU023P-rcNqg0ySn1W4jzxhZ2HuZarMfpYXCIz2L52jcYvzHn1hh-11ysO8VJN0qJIdnjJ24qP5PdvvdwSO7hvJks_Kj5AX8WfNLvfsbaDiO2xK9F0I0-yA_F4mWvZFq6bBU5k3X82CXWHIH-kj9zT5FJ3D48ehth_CVK9R5erIaPSO29du9YCI8/s3193/PXL_20230326_190728327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3193" data-original-width="1917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChhwgU023P-rcNqg0ySn1W4jzxhZ2HuZarMfpYXCIz2L52jcYvzHn1hh-11ysO8VJN0qJIdnjJ24qP5PdvvdwSO7hvJks_Kj5AX8WfNLvfsbaDiO2xK9F0I0-yA_F4mWvZFq6bBU5k3X82CXWHIH-kj9zT5FJ3D48ehth_CVK9R5erIaPSO29du9YCI8/w384-h640/PXL_20230326_190728327.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p>I wanted to see what the prototype window looked like and started doing web searches on the Bebenhausen Kloster, and found a few images of the window. I then also stumbled (again) upon the great site of <a href="http://www.osterthun.com/50.Journal/Journal-10a.htm" target="_blank">Frits Ostertun</a> who had also assembled this Faller kit and had found out that the 130816 model of the Kloster includes a foil with the correct colors for this very window! I wrote to Faller and ordered the part from that kit and they sent it to me for €9,50</p><p>This is how the proper part looks:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ke3AofZP5_LkJNGaAApyBcEy4YQjyqipXYjqCYQ6subPD0e2PjpBxNU_PvjC4K1Fo9cZTmgDgxA2jfAxXqeuLCSeRynUqUNyQnMW23Q_qrwhj2iayRur4owyQ6RfvKTis1c-hX3LjGCUxK-SyImG9vMZUaxPz59vQlXl7ZSDYh1lhKZwEE9dF_K3b5g/s3854/PXL_20230430_155700181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ke3AofZP5_LkJNGaAApyBcEy4YQjyqipXYjqCYQ6subPD0e2PjpBxNU_PvjC4K1Fo9cZTmgDgxA2jfAxXqeuLCSeRynUqUNyQnMW23Q_qrwhj2iayRur4owyQ6RfvKTis1c-hX3LjGCUxK-SyImG9vMZUaxPz59vQlXl7ZSDYh1lhKZwEE9dF_K3b5g/w380-h640/PXL_20230430_155700181.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br /><p>I thought that there would be a way to see into the kit (especially since Faller sells an interior details kit 180346) so I designed some pews with a Wilsnack emblem on the ends of each pew to give it a local touch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIvwEJyeevPBNyUPjLCI2TYs2uKU9TYuvh1wh0PATPmfKm6t6azCHpQgCrJE98ElhxGjmxzkihYbpGJAgRSgpQghaz9IzXmGQ6Pb1bCdUy4ze3SnVvpUJV0qOiFHvsm683MIfpj-Uqo4e_v5SKZdFl3MG9lY-BtOY6mjmImcBj8lVb0vzcLLrthLmZ2E/s435/pewEnd.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="431" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIvwEJyeevPBNyUPjLCI2TYs2uKU9TYuvh1wh0PATPmfKm6t6azCHpQgCrJE98ElhxGjmxzkihYbpGJAgRSgpQghaz9IzXmGQ6Pb1bCdUy4ze3SnVvpUJV0qOiFHvsm683MIfpj-Uqo4e_v5SKZdFl3MG9lY-BtOY6mjmImcBj8lVb0vzcLLrthLmZ2E/w634-h640/pewEnd.png" width="634" /></a></div><br /><p>Unfortunately, the design of this kit does not allow for any open doors and you can't see through the windows, unless one makes the big stained glass window clear! So instead, I decided to make my own doors since I had gone to the trouble of designing the emblem.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIk8MF46WSp5AUTii_9wkllLBq9bcsGvFbgfe1MLssiIYm57yVC4ump9LTOj8PfIZneRSk17gwlYqub-IXei1Qyaf64yMd311ojXloziexs7hiKOywpnNB4DEIAmnNmUhRgN9btkZYaQAMszflijDtWKsLkBaaHZJ35GSu3zfzqd-2rsEK0E0EuGqG4s/s1647/PXL_20230405_130609286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="1647" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIk8MF46WSp5AUTii_9wkllLBq9bcsGvFbgfe1MLssiIYm57yVC4ump9LTOj8PfIZneRSk17gwlYqub-IXei1Qyaf64yMd311ojXloziexs7hiKOywpnNB4DEIAmnNmUhRgN9btkZYaQAMszflijDtWKsLkBaaHZJ35GSu3zfzqd-2rsEK0E0EuGqG4s/w640-h630/PXL_20230405_130609286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In order to keep everything as square as possible, I used some magnets to hold walls at 90° wherever possible.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AS8OcC66URUTTll9nzJOcT2ub9F_ICrHuqN7QkivrGgOPByEP_Eu0EhCfPkpReI8EnSeA7VNQpXUzREdDHojFEpBL95mb7gKByLL3aMAYvWOtvXxAURAwgBKNMC2F48k1w7VEb5XDxx30T8CUd_YSb-xI42ME4P6BO14aSiSiqeHjawVs0xmREl-1Uc/s2317/PXL_20230404_205724126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2317" data-original-width="2133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AS8OcC66URUTTll9nzJOcT2ub9F_ICrHuqN7QkivrGgOPByEP_Eu0EhCfPkpReI8EnSeA7VNQpXUzREdDHojFEpBL95mb7gKByLL3aMAYvWOtvXxAURAwgBKNMC2F48k1w7VEb5XDxx30T8CUd_YSb-xI42ME4P6BO14aSiSiqeHjawVs0xmREl-1Uc/w590-h640/PXL_20230404_205724126.jpg" width="590" /></a></div><br /><div><p>I test fitted the paper mask boxes to also ensure that everything would line up well since some parts have to be glued with absolutely no guidance. I also made some of the buttress parts out of sequence so that I could use them to determine accurate positioning:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloM8hN5asrhyfi4NyC3kGzrhNu8muwVorrmCdx-t2CFwZyChYbaBnlfdxHMCam3rwfcX3Lq8ixUUu9j2xLiedwmnh2Sl0UGo6y9fwIkYWiCWVlKM5Phmhsrd-EZp2G7-juvGGnUIgHmGYvHlhTd2q9CHTPShGw3BU0VYseYmzp10Uj51Az5Y_lcz0T44/s3598/PXL_20230502_143301647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="3598" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloM8hN5asrhyfi4NyC3kGzrhNu8muwVorrmCdx-t2CFwZyChYbaBnlfdxHMCam3rwfcX3Lq8ixUUu9j2xLiedwmnh2Sl0UGo6y9fwIkYWiCWVlKM5Phmhsrd-EZp2G7-juvGGnUIgHmGYvHlhTd2q9CHTPShGw3BU0VYseYmzp10Uj51Az5Y_lcz0T44/w640-h492/PXL_20230502_143301647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Once the main parts of the building had been attached to each other with their mask boxes inside, it was time to work on the roof.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBLwOV0HYtbANlDefFJGZTWLEJJDANWuWCBg5UVGBANuFeTO3l0s4Fc-dmRAwnddiVlCrUcT0h5WmF_Gu90CUp7AWJuqdJ2cYqfEGT_-7s0-CkMWkUYoyVzu3O7PK4gVTw_cSVA_jcESHC1vWemoJFVfgeGmwTw_pZLieGaxIvYLaBPs7kbfJrUKmAXA/s2981/PXL_20230502_155259198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="2981" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBLwOV0HYtbANlDefFJGZTWLEJJDANWuWCBg5UVGBANuFeTO3l0s4Fc-dmRAwnddiVlCrUcT0h5WmF_Gu90CUp7AWJuqdJ2cYqfEGT_-7s0-CkMWkUYoyVzu3O7PK4gVTw_cSVA_jcESHC1vWemoJFVfgeGmwTw_pZLieGaxIvYLaBPs7kbfJrUKmAXA/w640-h618/PXL_20230502_155259198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Faller likes to 'weather' brown parts with some sort of white paint. I cannot fathom why they think that white is the right color dirt for any building that is not part of a cement factory, but they do, and this kit is no exception. The roof has splotches of white paint on it. In addition, in their pursuit of making generic parts they include duplicate, identical, sections of roof that have to be joined together leaving a clear straight line visible at the join.</p><p>When making parts Ⓤ and Ⓥ the instructions tell one to cut bits of the roof off. Close inspection determined that there is no need for this at all since the buttresses have a slot to fit over the roof at those points.</p><p>Other parts simply are not designed to fit together properly:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvoJT_HInB-jBpEES-avjWETtaHjvTob30UckJc_BRLRXOFIcTf8VY3BpIqom25sb-E6mKW6--GFmpG_UVaek4bunr5uBziI6NM1e81dpBI544BRzW0SL7IfQRI5nOvaa9dRzcn_hLkkTucqRCy3iBi74aWnfrR7qr5n0AtNffbDME-bfrjaITzBm-_A/s1369/PXL_20230504_011904598.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1286" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvoJT_HInB-jBpEES-avjWETtaHjvTob30UckJc_BRLRXOFIcTf8VY3BpIqom25sb-E6mKW6--GFmpG_UVaek4bunr5uBziI6NM1e81dpBI544BRzW0SL7IfQRI5nOvaa9dRzcn_hLkkTucqRCy3iBi74aWnfrR7qr5n0AtNffbDME-bfrjaITzBm-_A/w602-h640/PXL_20230504_011904598.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br /><p>When attaching parts Ⓕ to the building, I needed to cut a bit off the roof for it to fit against the wall properly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JFxC1ymuF7lz2pK2BQ2DpsRG1U9_Pq2tfT5nqao3Uyc9RwE1k4Bc0yFQTdpRmN54TWF0l7veqrIYoX9tublo_HgHcwDJFc5uz3sjo35nsIt_wdZWaRDcH6V4RkETiXxupn-tFd_DzN35jmiwCbmUbS60bipBIu2EY5kCzB_5BD5w0o6djJCVoueNahE/s4032/PXL_20230504_014723202.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JFxC1ymuF7lz2pK2BQ2DpsRG1U9_Pq2tfT5nqao3Uyc9RwE1k4Bc0yFQTdpRmN54TWF0l7veqrIYoX9tublo_HgHcwDJFc5uz3sjo35nsIt_wdZWaRDcH6V4RkETiXxupn-tFd_DzN35jmiwCbmUbS60bipBIu2EY5kCzB_5BD5w0o6djJCVoueNahE/w480-h640/PXL_20230504_014723202.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The whole roof is not glued to the building so that one can service the lighting and also the small servo motor that is included for moving the bell mechanism.</p><p>I opted to leave the flying buttresses off until I had the roof done and I also deferred attaching the two smaller side rooves to the main roof until I had the base of the spire ready. This is because there is no other way to know that the rooves are properly aligned, and the chance of the building being perfectly square as well as the parts of the roof being perfect is almost zero.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesfEnG01xjyOGd3HEI9kCd4REED9MM0KutrT3LlCmSu7yyLoQZ1vVv0B_Yg0vqnOGtZpnJRVMVAEQJpOObNLYsiUaGcpK-QXHqOIXS_C2SXieI7nLgyT5ZC3lUjQjsaPY9Q75cNbOQ9fQ2bjM5CPVtrB4DEV2JM3Xa4dN71WKTxxmDGBSdnXDYovKqYM/s4032/PXL_20230601_232759505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesfEnG01xjyOGd3HEI9kCd4REED9MM0KutrT3LlCmSu7yyLoQZ1vVv0B_Yg0vqnOGtZpnJRVMVAEQJpOObNLYsiUaGcpK-QXHqOIXS_C2SXieI7nLgyT5ZC3lUjQjsaPY9Q75cNbOQ9fQ2bjM5CPVtrB4DEV2JM3Xa4dN71WKTxxmDGBSdnXDYovKqYM/w640-h480/PXL_20230601_232759505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>After placing the spire in place, I added the side rooves, using the base of the spire as a guide.:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Jbo_Ku4mJsf5BDVrmQzaXoIirp_3XxvELpIwIZvWglL82zdYRkY2pGEZDOCcEWuWAZ5UJLUg9Qq7fasg96oAXhpaJkVFALnFCa6nmCCa7dVn1VMOjhpXKuWTs-z3BAeQCHvdpY587sAaYlI5BZEHNL1lkqZguHF18ndyOuVa9QA30jeY5n3AxGiBpl8/s4022/PXL_20230605_020449116.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4022" data-original-width="2196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Jbo_Ku4mJsf5BDVrmQzaXoIirp_3XxvELpIwIZvWglL82zdYRkY2pGEZDOCcEWuWAZ5UJLUg9Qq7fasg96oAXhpaJkVFALnFCa6nmCCa7dVn1VMOjhpXKuWTs-z3BAeQCHvdpY587sAaYlI5BZEHNL1lkqZguHF18ndyOuVa9QA30jeY5n3AxGiBpl8/w350-h640/PXL_20230605_020449116.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><br /><p>As mentioned, a small servo motor is included to actuate the bell in the spire. There are two mounting brackets to mount the motor:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap8n4zpEoA4NjlHDtRNCRhhDmMejk5kqP380xeOmjzm7wFX_yPcxWu1G4PeaA9ctw0em8gcZ8tc836oxxjAJBwBSSzn1iZKrhypVf64raQ2ZscMVUGvBL48FycL9w74s1gkVd2FL_s1MbGVHIHhCIgfVBzcYlFIvA5yFNIlhqbNLsZjQVXs4WN1TfKq0/s1479/PXL_20230604_154423478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1479" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap8n4zpEoA4NjlHDtRNCRhhDmMejk5kqP380xeOmjzm7wFX_yPcxWu1G4PeaA9ctw0em8gcZ8tc836oxxjAJBwBSSzn1iZKrhypVf64raQ2ZscMVUGvBL48FycL9w74s1gkVd2FL_s1MbGVHIHhCIgfVBzcYlFIvA5yFNIlhqbNLsZjQVXs4WN1TfKq0/s320/PXL_20230604_154423478.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I found however, that the manner of mounting as shown in the instructions will foul the roof and it is better to mount them reversed like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb-smI8Prr12bZXZs4wUkd33fw0ltubuBxahQZtS_bbDNDaqh9oo6iDvNgzhU9yF4LIZS_Sp5JenEAcPS42JdylPLxqhVOsKoWpry4uiYBkcChvRm1xgkhjMqFiGFU0BttM_lbv2goSen2Hc5lZMOyAfSzYUtjzo7yGugDx7e7-bs3m-7BDTXVjARBKc/s1399/PXL_20230604_155823087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb-smI8Prr12bZXZs4wUkd33fw0ltubuBxahQZtS_bbDNDaqh9oo6iDvNgzhU9yF4LIZS_Sp5JenEAcPS42JdylPLxqhVOsKoWpry4uiYBkcChvRm1xgkhjMqFiGFU0BttM_lbv2goSen2Hc5lZMOyAfSzYUtjzo7yGugDx7e7-bs3m-7BDTXVjARBKc/s320/PXL_20230604_155823087.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><div>There are lots of columns and gargoyles that go into the spire. I did the weathering of them after gluing the tiny parts together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbuGlP8pQ-0P7IV7Xj2-kOmZAAHjtPNLyl_H33Qyis9Znw5W8jr-bjCSO0XaW1Ei_kfA3_IH67EWo4YftHzQoPNBZY0_Ov-SOqzEc9LeRMo9S8wFc_b0mQsQ5wtNMQVz0N0i6mcOoCTNi96uDDLTrc_hGqmcAzydxX_mIJ7M2nsXnni6btdjwAjyqDz4/s2143/PXL_20230605_210145670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2143" data-original-width="1289" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbuGlP8pQ-0P7IV7Xj2-kOmZAAHjtPNLyl_H33Qyis9Znw5W8jr-bjCSO0XaW1Ei_kfA3_IH67EWo4YftHzQoPNBZY0_Ov-SOqzEc9LeRMo9S8wFc_b0mQsQ5wtNMQVz0N0i6mcOoCTNi96uDDLTrc_hGqmcAzydxX_mIJ7M2nsXnni6btdjwAjyqDz4/w384-h640/PXL_20230605_210145670.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div>Once it was time to attach the flying buttresses, I saw that we are expected to cut pieces of wall trim, and glue them around the base of the walls, including all the bases of buttresses, etc. Small inaccuracies in cutting the length, or gluing them, could result in the flying buttresses being positioned unevenly. The distance between the buttresses have to be exactly 50mm so I decided to glue them in place and leave the bits of additional wall trim off. I'll use the pieces for a wall somewhere else.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WGQoOj-C4nxrmzKhAEYRnWr1YzVZvrvfrsfmVr_US-zi15CAUvYI3IDubOMA36TGWddsErHnLaUBco68GffZq0bsHtVHor9ETOjXFZ_Tnt_4OwlHp9AYVYGvxvuHToWesvG-t7evtK-MwWYZLAkcubDmr2leAGNKLvmQ_dkW49eC5U7RnbcTYz4udj8/s3598/PXL_20230606_143337649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1703" data-original-width="3598" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WGQoOj-C4nxrmzKhAEYRnWr1YzVZvrvfrsfmVr_US-zi15CAUvYI3IDubOMA36TGWddsErHnLaUBco68GffZq0bsHtVHor9ETOjXFZ_Tnt_4OwlHp9AYVYGvxvuHToWesvG-t7evtK-MwWYZLAkcubDmr2leAGNKLvmQ_dkW49eC5U7RnbcTYz4udj8/w640-h302/PXL_20230606_143337649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>As it was, I had to do some clamping to get some of the tops of the buttresses to meet up properly due to the walls not being 100% square/vertical.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Electronics</h4><div>I decided that I would control the bell servo motor using a <a href="https://remotesign.mixmox.com/p/esp8266-sample-sketch.html" target="_blank">RemoteSign ESP</a> module. It could also control the lights, including dimming, and possibly also perhaps a sound module. I decided to also add some lights to the bell tower and spire too. The RemoteSign ESP needs a 5V power supply and the LED strips need 12 Volts to run so I needed both 5V and 12V power and a common ground.</div><div><br /></div><div>Five LED strips plus two spire lights and three wires for the servo motor, calls for a lot of connections, which I laid out in the 'attic':</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm2Yi4d-m1C0Ffg4Pphm3JYaaLk19MK8RwfWvh3jsO3WD2GyCn7whtiZ9ZMD7c_kRZk5NlpWa4Ssu_S_y_FRRlhgjM_GOcu0Un1UYLmSnkmfSuduBhvT9V4JuFGNgOi1--N-238d9IOydgZVUuWAx3SYG5sEfHrAblhyftnIYs5LsqalJdKx2QYUhcHE/s4032/PXL_20230610_015436458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm2Yi4d-m1C0Ffg4Pphm3JYaaLk19MK8RwfWvh3jsO3WD2GyCn7whtiZ9ZMD7c_kRZk5NlpWa4Ssu_S_y_FRRlhgjM_GOcu0Un1UYLmSnkmfSuduBhvT9V4JuFGNgOi1--N-238d9IOydgZVUuWAx3SYG5sEfHrAblhyftnIYs5LsqalJdKx2QYUhcHE/w640-h480/PXL_20230610_015436458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Once I had the roof assembled I could do the first light tests and determine how bright the LEDs needed to be.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TUTxewS4UV8blivHhfwsYRjzoYwmRcCzgP8Hxtj9Y52krq732FqvTHhXW5Ju620cmvqSnuY_ceKdPEpm6DmXmKUs4-32Xc5PlVgNcAflaridpSsj8Wz2ELxQfPbQe2cMeeBwWr9d4FMan648kH6av1rjDQPTNce0O0Lid3BkeNhug40qNYDxBulvXHU/s2926/PXL_20230610_022556908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2926" data-original-width="2191" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TUTxewS4UV8blivHhfwsYRjzoYwmRcCzgP8Hxtj9Y52krq732FqvTHhXW5Ju620cmvqSnuY_ceKdPEpm6DmXmKUs4-32Xc5PlVgNcAflaridpSsj8Wz2ELxQfPbQe2cMeeBwWr9d4FMan648kH6av1rjDQPTNce0O0Lid3BkeNhug40qNYDxBulvXHU/w480-h640/PXL_20230610_022556908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Running the main light at about 5% seems to be about right.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0M1M7TzOKRNQqE8IRxHd2TxDpL_ilfux3bIOs6vsa9TedncMWOp6m5tO-ceVhx2U668lSeLBDPlCurzh40zRZ7HKpPFNeKnZ8xWyrStoC7_Lfj-dq3rhll7EpizQLQ7cBcjE-yCn_eg6hj5b1bynzdL6jSS_fnfQIHExdy3VDFN1XgFXXH5JpUeUc8I/s3020/PXL_20230610_022751599.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0M1M7TzOKRNQqE8IRxHd2TxDpL_ilfux3bIOs6vsa9TedncMWOp6m5tO-ceVhx2U668lSeLBDPlCurzh40zRZ7HKpPFNeKnZ8xWyrStoC7_Lfj-dq3rhll7EpizQLQ7cBcjE-yCn_eg6hj5b1bynzdL6jSS_fnfQIHExdy3VDFN1XgFXXH5JpUeUc8I/w434-h640/PXL_20230610_022751599.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div>I like how well the big window turned out.</div><div><p>The final steps were to add all the fine details on the bell tower. The top of the tower comprises 8 sections with a rod on top of that made of two parts. Then two fancy bits get threaded on top of that. The holes in those last bits need some adjustment to get them to fit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga0DSpB0z6gLmZXuentiaOOBmyBnF18m_t9UPGyvS4viznuuhKstuYBE2P8RWwaVDLgomrZJuROBKCbfCvd4XmQ6Bm4pRO0bk3mzXQdJo9RsaI7Gx_tXTA6xbDiNLIDOWVwQ1dQZVEOhBfqxEhO8EgzyEU8mCsY_7egAYXS6uKEbRn9aRnSgh4G0L8IU/s1365/PXL_20230612_204216009.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1126" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga0DSpB0z6gLmZXuentiaOOBmyBnF18m_t9UPGyvS4viznuuhKstuYBE2P8RWwaVDLgomrZJuROBKCbfCvd4XmQ6Bm4pRO0bk3mzXQdJo9RsaI7Gx_tXTA6xbDiNLIDOWVwQ1dQZVEOhBfqxEhO8EgzyEU8mCsY_7egAYXS6uKEbRn9aRnSgh4G0L8IU/s320/PXL_20230612_204216009.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh-6ojzwD5f9pRT2tgukXpS5eO6gDnu3oi8mi8nfaEliCR63E-85D60o8cVb2y4CMEm3ylSeL1xuz2gKr2OyGCV6mOTGpnzt1SqTY2PUqneEF-t9LQOM7HIHuxNi0K_crsjELYdAZz8E6AJx9LqSmw_u95Sp8OFjrIw9V2vYUKKLouG8k0Tpe5ID9gAo/s2930/PXL_20230612_211125293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="2204" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh-6ojzwD5f9pRT2tgukXpS5eO6gDnu3oi8mi8nfaEliCR63E-85D60o8cVb2y4CMEm3ylSeL1xuz2gKr2OyGCV6mOTGpnzt1SqTY2PUqneEF-t9LQOM7HIHuxNi0K_crsjELYdAZz8E6AJx9LqSmw_u95Sp8OFjrIw9V2vYUKKLouG8k0Tpe5ID9gAo/w482-h640/PXL_20230612_211125293.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><p>There are small crosses and orbs supplied to decorate the apex of the four roof ends. I decided to add another Wilsnack touch by 3D printing a version of the Wilsnack hosts that they used to sell to pilgrims in the middle ages, and add them instead:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknbntt4H9g3tC5gTaMlzK4COJVPcgFi3De50tW_l9YkLOAqDjr_OsrcU2TJ7vyIwl2PLOCbqVAwL_iGyoLPVE7_oFIsBxFv4J3P008N52L6fvXaa8axJdRK_7gOtMxbK7n2RFhWY5YYCJdsk2CXGBoTDAxIv-Icw8niqrxO92KxW9tPDn4WUbM4ZxsN4/s4032/PXL_20230616_214454062.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknbntt4H9g3tC5gTaMlzK4COJVPcgFi3De50tW_l9YkLOAqDjr_OsrcU2TJ7vyIwl2PLOCbqVAwL_iGyoLPVE7_oFIsBxFv4J3P008N52L6fvXaa8axJdRK_7gOtMxbK7n2RFhWY5YYCJdsk2CXGBoTDAxIv-Icw8niqrxO92KxW9tPDn4WUbM4ZxsN4/w480-h640/PXL_20230616_214454062.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The details of the bell tower are quite intricate</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8NF7mno2WFGk3p0CCMqMTvvJtPNiAzIYf3RbZr7afkySu5eAze8I-ogvhhzwgKYg6TSFcTqL0D15j_Z6PawcvqYgpEuuiMiCenN8n8tAdnX3uB4WuzTH46aTJ75shbXR9_YBCPhjp8_r1gJ2F3yYoR_FZBLHiHrOyMXcBm8zZaXjx38qZucxAh0aQ2k/s4032/PXL_20230616_214541610.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8NF7mno2WFGk3p0CCMqMTvvJtPNiAzIYf3RbZr7afkySu5eAze8I-ogvhhzwgKYg6TSFcTqL0D15j_Z6PawcvqYgpEuuiMiCenN8n8tAdnX3uB4WuzTH46aTJ75shbXR9_YBCPhjp8_r1gJ2F3yYoR_FZBLHiHrOyMXcBm8zZaXjx38qZucxAh0aQ2k/w640-h480/PXL_20230616_214541610.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Because Faller supplies parts on multiple identical sprues there are spare parts in cases where fewer than the number of sprues are needed. I cut them all off and bagged them for possible use on other projects.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcW9jGd9zl8Nzax04jrIJ-Ap0iLcbfWvIiE7z8kq05GODfYrvW2Fw8ZDHm_YU6yXhAmUn3GWuQEhwJzo_46PRzIxTcZD-2aC5b5fx_kxs38Zb_HlkkonS1vK2auzzSN3wjguFZac_rbkkCX9BpkzDovHLfapsimGkdlSf0yEquhC1ggM7Lz5mi3KhkhQ/s3485/PXL_20230618_164229430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="3485" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcW9jGd9zl8Nzax04jrIJ-Ap0iLcbfWvIiE7z8kq05GODfYrvW2Fw8ZDHm_YU6yXhAmUn3GWuQEhwJzo_46PRzIxTcZD-2aC5b5fx_kxs38Zb_HlkkonS1vK2auzzSN3wjguFZac_rbkkCX9BpkzDovHLfapsimGkdlSf0yEquhC1ggM7Lz5mi3KhkhQ/w640-h514/PXL_20230618_164229430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This left me with a huge pile of sprues for recycling:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJn2vi8_YAXRuMmCB3SxAHnDDjxg0hY3TW4GmvJplvnmP6D8s05yR84VpxVmeI8VVSkrsypSRHttpJnwA4rXOh2RPT72T8MOQAOeXAWnB1-ABD6_THkMqgaltb8yeEwYkCCNlvI3NWfTV_vpmq1ZH2hNKWOa6axD8yjvyFa9m46WO0lPa71OIibexWLw/s3020/PXL_20230618_164625967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="2642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJn2vi8_YAXRuMmCB3SxAHnDDjxg0hY3TW4GmvJplvnmP6D8s05yR84VpxVmeI8VVSkrsypSRHttpJnwA4rXOh2RPT72T8MOQAOeXAWnB1-ABD6_THkMqgaltb8yeEwYkCCNlvI3NWfTV_vpmq1ZH2hNKWOa6axD8yjvyFa9m46WO0lPa71OIibexWLw/w560-h640/PXL_20230618_164625967.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Overall feeling on the quality of the kit</h4><p>I was disappointed at so many steps with this model. I find the following issues inexcusable from a leading manufacturer:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Joints between pieces running along the middle of a course of bricks/stone.</li><li>Substituting an awful stained glass paper print when a beautifully detailed translucent foil has been designed and manufactured for the exact protype and shipped with another model.</li><li>So-called weathering of one color (brown roof) with white paint.</li><li>Very little design care to ensure accurate construction. Any inaccuracies will accumulate from the walls, to the roof, to the spire.</li><li>Roof panels to be joined with nothing to cover the straight and visible joint running through roof tiles.</li><li>Tiny parts to be added when they could so easily have been incorporated in other parts.</li><li>Generic parts that have to be cut accurately, instead of being supplied in the correct size.</li><li>Parts that have to be joined without any way of ensuring that once joined, they will be straight.</li><li>Completely unnecessary trim parts (that could have been molded into the parts being glued onto) that only serve to introduce inaccuracies through inaccurate cutting and gluing.</li></ul><div>The completed kit depends on the accuracy of its construction. It is sad to see that Faller no longer cares how the product turns out after construction is complete.</div><p></p><p>It <i>can </i>be constructed well if you take <i>extreme care</i> in the construction.</p></div></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-91356532948830919372023-04-30T22:07:00.000-04:002023-04-30T22:07:41.037-04:00Plastic cement applicator<p>I have been using a bottle of Model Master plastic solvent cement for building plastic kits for about 25 years. The bottle has a very nice metal tube allowing very precise application of the 'glue'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68KdMtZIHlsiQIZ6mh--UfrDHftYjL-QtOQFxLO6GADGhkxG8GuelURS46EkpS1Sule_M2LPI4qKOgLQozMsfOQp0e6Yi62FAOIwB3oJwuTypmwhxFXF7iASpmYHuHwbnVutJJjglWb4fQWrX2SMu0D0Z5MeCwJOhQ5vFepJ8UK--b5FVyUh0PrNT/s2412/PXL_20230501_012125800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2412" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68KdMtZIHlsiQIZ6mh--UfrDHftYjL-QtOQFxLO6GADGhkxG8GuelURS46EkpS1Sule_M2LPI4qKOgLQozMsfOQp0e6Yi62FAOIwB3oJwuTypmwhxFXF7iASpmYHuHwbnVutJJjglWb4fQWrX2SMu0D0Z5MeCwJOhQ5vFepJ8UK--b5FVyUh0PrNT/w640-h554/PXL_20230501_012125800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I put some red and yellow paint on the black cap so that I could find it easily on my workbench.</p><p>Sadly this week it came to an end. I did however have a very similar bottle of Testors solvent glue but alas, it does not have such a fine application tube, but rather a plastic tube. I used it a few times and found that it kept getting clogged, something that never happened with the "Model Master" bottle. </p><p>I looked about online and could not find the "Model Master" glue available, only Faller and Revell seem to have the metal applicators. I ordered a bottle of Faller cement but delivery is not expected for 3 to 6 weeks!</p><p>I came up with a plan to transfer the content of the Testors bottle to the old Model Master bottle. I initially tried pushing the metal tube into the plastic nozzle of the Testors bottle and letting the solvent run through, but of course there is no way for air to escape from the lower bottle, so I decided that was not working.</p><p>Sixteen years ago a train friend Eric Joerg gave me some small syringes and 'stubby' needles. These are not sharp, but attach to the syringes just like a hypodermic needle. They have been very useful for adding smoke fluid to steamers, etc. and I decided to use them for this task too.</p><p>The stubby "needles" appear to be the same size as the metal applicator, so I pulled the tube out of the old bottle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiol3gq8TJMFu5whUffk937DE8I806J_2M0EqAKiigN3yYi-eBFdPr-6fR-x3QN_EL-QRq3r6bDP5-Hy2qXLFQetoUNVqfcFkbece-ZgLaNF5VvuRolD-rZLpP1nMzDENLYLi_EmYB0bsSouo6L5JTzv7Mpovqn2fl5sTx5G6teao63aThRfWv1lgf-/s2994/PXL_20230430_221615421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="2994" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiol3gq8TJMFu5whUffk937DE8I806J_2M0EqAKiigN3yYi-eBFdPr-6fR-x3QN_EL-QRq3r6bDP5-Hy2qXLFQetoUNVqfcFkbece-ZgLaNF5VvuRolD-rZLpP1nMzDENLYLi_EmYB0bsSouo6L5JTzv7Mpovqn2fl5sTx5G6teao63aThRfWv1lgf-/w640-h382/PXL_20230430_221615421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I then drilled a small hole in the new bottle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH9hVcA1b5TZ8bIdWgI-KVa16k_2cgPYgSruuTSclsdB0yp5_JoYQuTy7QgDkx86cMA-9ruo9eyIXF42pHnPXW8Ef-3iCR7uB9lAj7-mJXqUVjN3qHkg3YQtvrF8V9SJT4G4pG0-rvwE-yXZvGCq_hLAFJCypOWCQyKLEX5RoQwPMg2klsgxUwpag/s2483/PXL_20230430_221834249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="2483" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH9hVcA1b5TZ8bIdWgI-KVa16k_2cgPYgSruuTSclsdB0yp5_JoYQuTy7QgDkx86cMA-9ruo9eyIXF42pHnPXW8Ef-3iCR7uB9lAj7-mJXqUVjN3qHkg3YQtvrF8V9SJT4G4pG0-rvwE-yXZvGCq_hLAFJCypOWCQyKLEX5RoQwPMg2klsgxUwpag/w640-h616/PXL_20230430_221834249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I then drew solvent out of the new bottle and pushed it into the old bottle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7I3kz_0CPORSTtxbQhR2riyGaOO9COFuc50Po1etEIXsYApzCGT5wfdCe7Srx1H_cpVzyY2IdfKLN1Oc-eGVVvooD4wPNwIjwdGjziB6yflgezLwiJNDj5J0ZhrWUPT3EUs6E-vnuRuE3yxX0mI9f0wSKvoUO5th3Cfz6Fczj78MMHT7QTQCZiT-/s2521/PXL_20230430_222707075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2521" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7I3kz_0CPORSTtxbQhR2riyGaOO9COFuc50Po1etEIXsYApzCGT5wfdCe7Srx1H_cpVzyY2IdfKLN1Oc-eGVVvooD4wPNwIjwdGjziB6yflgezLwiJNDj5J0ZhrWUPT3EUs6E-vnuRuE3yxX0mI9f0wSKvoUO5th3Cfz6Fczj78MMHT7QTQCZiT-/w640-h454/PXL_20230430_222707075.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>When done, I inserted the applicator tube into the bottle.</p><p>Well, overall, it worked but here are some<b> important things</b> to know:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I am merely reporting what I did. I am not suggesting anyone does this as there are risks involved. If you do this or anything similar you do so <u>at your own risk</u>.</li><li>The cement does not flow easily, it is very <u>hard to draw the solvent out</u>, it takes time for it to come up into the syringe. I removed the cap so that air could get in. It is also slow to squirt the solvent into the destination bottle, there is no way for air to escape. I tried squeezing some air out of the bottle before inserting the needle but solvent always seemed to ooze out. I also tried pulling air out using the syringe but it is hard to judge where the air is.</li><li>The operation took me an <u>hour</u> to transfer the glue.</li><li>Solvent <u>does spill</u> out. This task should be done <u>outside</u>, I ended up sniffing glue for an hour.</li><li>I tried replacing the cap on the new bottle so I could squeeze the side to speed up the transfer of solvent to the syringe, but I think I may have ruptured a seam because the next thing I knew the bottle was covered in glue. I got solvent all over my hands. <u>Gloves</u> would have been a good idea. I used some cloth rags to soak up spilled glue, and disposed of them outside (in rain) until they could be placed in the trash.</li><li>To speed things up, I used a second syringe so that one could be drawing solvent out while I used the other to put solvent into the other bottle. It was tricky holding each bottle, so it would have been better to <u>clamp the bottles</u> so that they did not have to be handled.</li><li>Bits of solvent did spray about, either through syringe operations, or caused by air escaping from the destination bottle. My reading glasses acted somewhat as <u>safety glasses</u>.</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-31989158795227313242022-11-24T22:21:00.009-05:002023-12-31T10:51:24.021-05:001960s model lighthouse<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Though this is not actually part of my train layout, it is very much a model and close to HO scale.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When my paternal </span></span><a href="http://tree.mixmox.com/I238.htm" target="_blank">grandfather</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> passed away in 1975, I said I would like to have ‘The Lighthouse’.</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-51988631-7fff-9b6e-8f2b-95555158a66d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was a model lighthouse that he had made, many years before, possibly in the 1950s or 1960s, and it used to sit on their mantelpiece in their living room. Standing about 29cm high it includes some rocky terrain and a small lighthouse keeper's house. The magic thing was that one could pull a small shaft on the side and the shed and tower would light up, the lighthouse lantern room light would go on and off periodically. I recall that it simulated the occluding type, meaning it was off for a longer period than it was on.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu_LNINWMJnT5RiitcIpdWpw_3MtUQ3S3lcL6Rbpi-8mpN97e64wfFBCIiAMoh_2TW1CPhys_CU6XfVtSGK0QXgCS_8nluF_JZb8WmL3c5e5RqaywcgZDHzLj4NTYSKhJXmmACI8Ip-QNjMfPRYvuFWPL2VG2xL9Q5I_7iVVZNF2tPC-9CCMQbjHA/s3463/PXL_20221109_154359949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3463" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu_LNINWMJnT5RiitcIpdWpw_3MtUQ3S3lcL6Rbpi-8mpN97e64wfFBCIiAMoh_2TW1CPhys_CU6XfVtSGK0QXgCS_8nluF_JZb8WmL3c5e5RqaywcgZDHzLj4NTYSKhJXmmACI8Ip-QNjMfPRYvuFWPL2VG2xL9Q5I_7iVVZNF2tPC-9CCMQbjHA/w462-h640/PXL_20221109_154359949.jpg" width="462"></a></div><div><span></span></div></span><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2022/11/1960s-model-lighthouse.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-42887272505048543352022-11-07T21:51:00.007-05:002022-12-18T18:09:35.183-05:003D printed LED exterior light<p>While assembling a plastic building, I decided it would look much better if the exterior lights actually worked, so I set about designing some exterior lights.</p><p>I used <a href="https://openscad.org/" target="_blank">OpenSCAD</a> to design a half hemispherical shade (5mm diameter) with a small wall mount. A 1mm diameter hole allows for the wiring of a surface mount 0402 LED. After three 3D printing iterations I ended up with a usable design.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zOryTUeBJKLloHJ8cG_OZsARLAEkfG7gUmrJEnK_itmgh9DqvhEfaozAx9veb5EsVCwDcu0x2aXQyHNqNxSciwH8itZUaybah29rH_teJa6anTuOSMIf1Ozl-sWUI2rJ4lqP16Zc-ri8jssPzwW1_jR4q7Kqk6XELkw4CGUmVBPqBoC00tzI0ikH/s347/Lamp.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="347" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zOryTUeBJKLloHJ8cG_OZsARLAEkfG7gUmrJEnK_itmgh9DqvhEfaozAx9veb5EsVCwDcu0x2aXQyHNqNxSciwH8itZUaybah29rH_teJa6anTuOSMIf1Ozl-sWUI2rJ4lqP16Zc-ri8jssPzwW1_jR4q7Kqk6XELkw4CGUmVBPqBoC00tzI0ikH/s320/Lamp.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>I painted the inside with silver acrylic paint, and threaded an LED in to test it out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwIFk3lhvCvikJ0-UNUtQortfuHpYaCJBH5DOjbbRWAbZP3g_iva4XByblqze-gH2sPS9VTKDA_END4aoDZmYd_fIRIVlzCmBot1uAj6E0hMpVuByK5tZ0YGRi8hJoKNMvMXAvuq2s7pY6r5PxdYqMJCkERBoz2tYdjldin8sY8rGWkhUmGt7I4Ug/s591/PXL_20221105_174343109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="521" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwIFk3lhvCvikJ0-UNUtQortfuHpYaCJBH5DOjbbRWAbZP3g_iva4XByblqze-gH2sPS9VTKDA_END4aoDZmYd_fIRIVlzCmBot1uAj6E0hMpVuByK5tZ0YGRi8hJoKNMvMXAvuq2s7pY6r5PxdYqMJCkERBoz2tYdjldin8sY8rGWkhUmGt7I4Ug/w176-h200/PXL_20221105_174343109.jpg" width="176" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYUW2_OqQrIrS2AGtURaFtNVk-3-mt8183yj2FkSVReNpvHTuwivlnGjjcD4DT6ifPtRBZrL1EykyU4RY42jX1hB3JnFniHFYwBpu2P_F5ZZP7vweUkietDBVgNLosWPos3BXFQvZOx-0ubKtgbh20BEjQT_N13pEmXd86v9VWUudS0aErDNn2abY/s472/PXL_20221105_174336552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYUW2_OqQrIrS2AGtURaFtNVk-3-mt8183yj2FkSVReNpvHTuwivlnGjjcD4DT6ifPtRBZrL1EykyU4RY42jX1hB3JnFniHFYwBpu2P_F5ZZP7vweUkietDBVgNLosWPos3BXFQvZOx-0ubKtgbh20BEjQT_N13pEmXd86v9VWUudS0aErDNn2abY/w182-h200/PXL_20221105_174336552.jpg" width="182" /></a><br /><br /></div>As expected, there was a lot of back scatter of the light, so I decided to paint the top black.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk8AbJAfPt377tltnQoiont-pESsAxBU6gI4W2uRWSGpnr7EOBRSSHQ6mzBgmaTW7llcjvy0YH8GyoFPjaPTh9sLDtTBU_QC-2B7ae09tzsmIc1xUE0tieTTQxDXGZjaOPzS70okrVEc5gXUYiujiQy7W249SE72RHGVk6GLH5DhMZkdLtAigCUkj/s2038/PXL_20221105_235610785~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="2038" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk8AbJAfPt377tltnQoiont-pESsAxBU6gI4W2uRWSGpnr7EOBRSSHQ6mzBgmaTW7llcjvy0YH8GyoFPjaPTh9sLDtTBU_QC-2B7ae09tzsmIc1xUE0tieTTQxDXGZjaOPzS70okrVEc5gXUYiujiQy7W249SE72RHGVk6GLH5DhMZkdLtAigCUkj/w640-h408/PXL_20221105_235610785~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>At this stage they look rather like toilets.</div><div><br /></div><div>I threaded in the LEDs. In order to keep the LED facing the right way I found I had to tape the wires to the work surface.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa-xBEGN3eo1nrty-C50kpkmoGo9yVupfW2_hQi6TZ7jDJPAM9_wbgI2I6-DrUOd5N7hstZ9omnQWtzfrToHaQAA_hbrWe5bgw4diemwfaqBJrtphB0g5ydLqIV4Jcrr0r1gBZdwzEPyChiiSUNOcwaqRv4X-TdGTSuBOg-Rt8v4CpUYKazpyD5jn/s1217/PXL_20221106_012444090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1217" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa-xBEGN3eo1nrty-C50kpkmoGo9yVupfW2_hQi6TZ7jDJPAM9_wbgI2I6-DrUOd5N7hstZ9omnQWtzfrToHaQAA_hbrWe5bgw4diemwfaqBJrtphB0g5ydLqIV4Jcrr0r1gBZdwzEPyChiiSUNOcwaqRv4X-TdGTSuBOg-Rt8v4CpUYKazpyD5jn/w640-h498/PXL_20221106_012444090.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I then added a drop of super glue to each LED and let them dry.</div><div><br /></div><div>To add them to the building, I drill a small hole with a pin vice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbVnX2-ll8jMshwxJXQV3Wa3X9KlpwjQDL6vNZlffUw512dbbryKf0iOsbXrqy0DCuZMOKlQl3Z6cg8hS7s7z8NTD4301JxVKN3UAwdE6JRwxyFYqsbLnOqQpnA_aoesJEduTz1huRvXyG5ANOziVN1AQ4NIEH0BISBPrugdptzBNap48t_gPgr8k/s1847/PXL_20221105_233931543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1847" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbVnX2-ll8jMshwxJXQV3Wa3X9KlpwjQDL6vNZlffUw512dbbryKf0iOsbXrqy0DCuZMOKlQl3Z6cg8hS7s7z8NTD4301JxVKN3UAwdE6JRwxyFYqsbLnOqQpnA_aoesJEduTz1huRvXyG5ANOziVN1AQ4NIEH0BISBPrugdptzBNap48t_gPgr8k/w640-h532/PXL_20221105_233931543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>After threading the wires through the wall I could see that a second coat of black paint was in order to ensure complete coverage.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB7NHmZBDON6wahVDpFhwiT67E7mZshn94hbARRfXrlThIqFlPxayzN37xwkv67JbUHc7_r7C6VomUE6mpwA_H5jr-kymcP5Vtw8rdRy6n8Z7W3xk9gHDLZ-L7wFbofL9jeskWHbVdtFQ3UTnMVx7JfY4LzwqaH9MZNNLlGEx6iLtiXijvcMMRjh9/s1882/PXL_20221107_213935105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="1807" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB7NHmZBDON6wahVDpFhwiT67E7mZshn94hbARRfXrlThIqFlPxayzN37xwkv67JbUHc7_r7C6VomUE6mpwA_H5jr-kymcP5Vtw8rdRy6n8Z7W3xk9gHDLZ-L7wFbofL9jeskWHbVdtFQ3UTnMVx7JfY4LzwqaH9MZNNLlGEx6iLtiXijvcMMRjh9/w614-h640/PXL_20221107_213935105.jpg" width="614" /></a></div><p>A drop of super glue holds the light in place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuS_Z1LMsyZk1_2Fw7CN-C2R-cwCVbARtoWXRkfoiKtExJ37VlF-9__V822eq7R2B4dfnIgH29vYfOzn8kdLSJzJ4rOy3uGMHf0PNKyG3IfsrKVmIGzX6P2CJVgG6lWMOq7pbqq0AJWLn6jNy5LguRviN6BCnB9WH3KXCMVHe2TSTZVTzNXfrcQZM/s1558/PXL_20221107_215630537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="1558" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuS_Z1LMsyZk1_2Fw7CN-C2R-cwCVbARtoWXRkfoiKtExJ37VlF-9__V822eq7R2B4dfnIgH29vYfOzn8kdLSJzJ4rOy3uGMHf0PNKyG3IfsrKVmIGzX6P2CJVgG6lWMOq7pbqq0AJWLn6jNy5LguRviN6BCnB9WH3KXCMVHe2TSTZVTzNXfrcQZM/w640-h566/PXL_20221107_215630537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I will use these on the row of Vollmer buildings I am constructing. I will probably run two 5V power circuits to the buildings, one, always powered, for internal lights and the controller for the <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2022/10/butcher-shop-metzgerei.html">butcher shop</a> and the other, switched, for night time when exterior lights are appropriate.</p><p>A 5mm light in HO scale represents a 43.5cm light - a reasonable size. I could probably make them even smaller.</p></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-61834313098023345962022-10-29T13:03:00.016-04:002024-03-25T22:47:55.840-04:00Butcher shop - Metzgerei<p>I was given a set of Vollmer buildings called "Bahnhofstraße" (Station Street) item 3675. It is a box of five buildings that were/are also available separately. I started with the butcher shop which is an end building with two large shop windows. The building is also sold as item 3674. This post describes how I built it and added super detailed interior.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQgTR0dkPjfAS1od4p3YVXCiRAM1bak02SQmb-jfR1kBKMtgO2N5ZdVjqANVKn8NIkwcfA-2UZLR44Z6pO9tDQL-aWAbG72umLLN6eJtVbiWW9MQ0HEJhwfTNLYKfNyfngaOclBtEckY6eOquLvOFm36_gOU_yewZJkLDqHqvSUPtbNijfbxft2kW/s3009/PXL_20221029_024923523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="3009" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQgTR0dkPjfAS1od4p3YVXCiRAM1bak02SQmb-jfR1kBKMtgO2N5ZdVjqANVKn8NIkwcfA-2UZLR44Z6pO9tDQL-aWAbG72umLLN6eJtVbiWW9MQ0HEJhwfTNLYKfNyfngaOclBtEckY6eOquLvOFm36_gOU_yewZJkLDqHqvSUPtbNijfbxft2kW/w640-h586/PXL_20221029_024923523.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzRTBYwtetHL64XF6GXi4feal54XCTy_PEjdAgI5iqquLru6VBCveCZfLjpyOIhDAVGa1YkvjlL4XVDoOjZyb1S37QaofaohNnR5VtuT3OJiuKQGKOlK95tBkdeh_IwxZr8lS5CCAj3i5SywNqmS_oGpSyOU7y95ux5tINx1uEq8uNOUxAz-5-YnI/s3060/PXL_20221028_182847303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2154" data-original-width="3060" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzRTBYwtetHL64XF6GXi4feal54XCTy_PEjdAgI5iqquLru6VBCveCZfLjpyOIhDAVGa1YkvjlL4XVDoOjZyb1S37QaofaohNnR5VtuT3OJiuKQGKOlK95tBkdeh_IwxZr8lS5CCAj3i5SywNqmS_oGpSyOU7y95ux5tINx1uEq8uNOUxAz-5-YnI/w640-h450/PXL_20221028_182847303.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFUN2Vp7PsOV677P1f3ND1O7STNZHdCa1vXFmZkCWGCdnt99ysIOeY_lmZnSfmg4apQwHggzDRt1HtBIWGebE3yeN22OCGXY1LWQVaowl9c1JMKlKYeeQJJS_hp6-VKQ4sdBH0FgUa1au2tcUL6HMWGEuEF_xnRE4RgphTjmrigAhQTJdj_KJQ9VV/s2004/PXL_20221028_182941589.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2004" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFUN2Vp7PsOV677P1f3ND1O7STNZHdCa1vXFmZkCWGCdnt99ysIOeY_lmZnSfmg4apQwHggzDRt1HtBIWGebE3yeN22OCGXY1LWQVaowl9c1JMKlKYeeQJJS_hp6-VKQ4sdBH0FgUa1au2tcUL6HMWGEuEF_xnRE4RgphTjmrigAhQTJdj_KJQ9VV/w640-h436/PXL_20221028_182941589.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><span></span><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2022/10/butcher-shop-metzgerei.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-6724188492903399232022-08-04T22:32:00.005-04:002022-08-04T22:35:03.287-04:00Extension tracks landscaped<p>Now that I have installed all the turnouts and three sensors per track, I have added the cable ducts, <i>indusi </i>magnets, and some weeds to the storage area known as Oberbad.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj0rPyfk6tDwHqfRMwtpyYgj_4HceVBv81ntIMJ9D-42S6TXoIqMADJUj0BcCcAD3LKUjp6OEOp7RwJOtYYgYWs9BBNetipUx-FAcBrPx4Qhy5sAc_c6muIw9QrVolBNHbQwdVPkL9IMU-Ni4hHXQUpb3eK4Wvk6uYjq07fq5yOMpq7eX3zwWJIu2/s4032/PXL_20220802_202315981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj0rPyfk6tDwHqfRMwtpyYgj_4HceVBv81ntIMJ9D-42S6TXoIqMADJUj0BcCcAD3LKUjp6OEOp7RwJOtYYgYWs9BBNetipUx-FAcBrPx4Qhy5sAc_c6muIw9QrVolBNHbQwdVPkL9IMU-Ni4hHXQUpb3eK4Wvk6uYjq07fq5yOMpq7eX3zwWJIu2/w640-h480/PXL_20220802_202315981.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are cabinets for storing additional lengths of signal cabling too..<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ldQu_EEplPI2NrbyhdyJTZirs9jLYMjU3HwKi4xYWrq4tvLw4bcyTkYATH9UPaXO3xVGirGM9sITvfmcaVeO5Z76zuhE4L-XZz83PdZyITSW3QI7qT6lvQ7-HmxcO5NUdoHwaMgAueBAvEvxSaD1V8LMvMYPb0aldJL8xdFf_aITmSit6t76WcJi/s4032/PXL_20220801_195359213.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ldQu_EEplPI2NrbyhdyJTZirs9jLYMjU3HwKi4xYWrq4tvLw4bcyTkYATH9UPaXO3xVGirGM9sITvfmcaVeO5Z76zuhE4L-XZz83PdZyITSW3QI7qT6lvQ7-HmxcO5NUdoHwaMgAueBAvEvxSaD1V8LMvMYPb0aldJL8xdFf_aITmSit6t76WcJi/w640-h480/PXL_20220801_195359213.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKRNq93oZItL_nCinspFdB3MxFo7T7-OATb9Os8nb5dk97MReR8Abce8sYO32qHT7gGz7FZgduWdLmrBBJyl_qeRElNjrHlk30qZg2o2nGQHoxLn0G5Xc3U5OS9YIUmtPLuK7EEQX7Wbj1Vd8xIsdfMRCncZ6JmlsVIDnMVLv2PfkUB8cW17pyWv6/s4032/PXL_20220802_202211335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKRNq93oZItL_nCinspFdB3MxFo7T7-OATb9Os8nb5dk97MReR8Abce8sYO32qHT7gGz7FZgduWdLmrBBJyl_qeRElNjrHlk30qZg2o2nGQHoxLn0G5Xc3U5OS9YIUmtPLuK7EEQX7Wbj1Vd8xIsdfMRCncZ6JmlsVIDnMVLv2PfkUB8cW17pyWv6/w640-h480/PXL_20220802_202211335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>First trains have arrived.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HPfiTV01NzdbwhsWsonI_3QULvxWhRVcKQSVQ17AQuPET4gv-r58WLas4JPcFI580doC8ViPjq8tBJAsVWAWDvXOkJNAkVRgvfISidtikDnCRcBvOEE0D9H9zKQfEXQ5eJY_dgG0u9D1cmHkNt64mqgSV8Xvwxne6xjTjEEla_35IMRKtEOb0X1T/s4032/PXL_20220802_210720381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HPfiTV01NzdbwhsWsonI_3QULvxWhRVcKQSVQ17AQuPET4gv-r58WLas4JPcFI580doC8ViPjq8tBJAsVWAWDvXOkJNAkVRgvfISidtikDnCRcBvOEE0D9H9zKQfEXQ5eJY_dgG0u9D1cmHkNt64mqgSV8Xvwxne6xjTjEEla_35IMRKtEOb0X1T/w640-h480/PXL_20220802_210720381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLUCazk343HB3oqV3A02WSycQImz_pv7HyWH9K_gS6xTNZjSmudQuNNy0zjvSWUuh-MmcSG_66mOJ0cfhYDxlS8fPKJqgg4cjMbRQV2_lB9rr019hryTILQ3wXgWbZJ8A0B8G9pP_utWODr-ImhEnHHlckCqTJAIdVSpzFMtVP6KOeX2TF2ogifkQ/s4032/PXL_20220802_210819373.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLUCazk343HB3oqV3A02WSycQImz_pv7HyWH9K_gS6xTNZjSmudQuNNy0zjvSWUuh-MmcSG_66mOJ0cfhYDxlS8fPKJqgg4cjMbRQV2_lB9rr019hryTILQ3wXgWbZJ8A0B8G9pP_utWODr-ImhEnHHlckCqTJAIdVSpzFMtVP6KOeX2TF2ogifkQ/w640-h480/PXL_20220802_210819373.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I still have to design and manufacture the dwarf shunting signals, and the little connection boxes for the magnets and signals. The software to control the signals is all done and ready.</p><p>I ran an S-Bahn train from Oberbad to the underground station (Wilsnack Tief) and it was nice to see 'Oberbad' appear as the origin on the station platform sign!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisysMEs98-T9cXrfzz8lcDbnML-icpwhSzDyw8A3szxRF9mXp-04gYVXfPUvKzj2BHnXCxpkHfNGZFmRt-qfOcMzzzguXoS0w9lxcYRc9Qgn3VU5SkEn3I1gi279j-15R_LSfMeje9q3pEtUgRSnoF1bD6IYrwdHXGrFIG_edjlc2UO66X1-rDa1-4/s1959/PXL_20220802_212623335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1959" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisysMEs98-T9cXrfzz8lcDbnML-icpwhSzDyw8A3szxRF9mXp-04gYVXfPUvKzj2BHnXCxpkHfNGZFmRt-qfOcMzzzguXoS0w9lxcYRc9Qgn3VU5SkEn3I1gi279j-15R_LSfMeje9q3pEtUgRSnoF1bD6IYrwdHXGrFIG_edjlc2UO66X1-rDa1-4/w640-h368/PXL_20220802_212623335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Previous post on Oberbad:</p><p><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2020/06/storage-expansion3.html">https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2020/06/storage-expansion3.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-37271729129843748442022-05-31T12:53:00.002-04:002022-06-02T15:06:25.243-04:00Märklin turnout motor 7549 reliability<p>For many years I have used a tip I read online about disabling the electrical switch mechanism in the Märklin K-track turnout motors. As I made the modifications to my last few motors I decided to show what I do and took some pictures of the steps.</p><p>Note that over the years the shape of the Märklin 7549 turnout motors have changed. This post applies to the older version which can still often be found at train fairs and the second hand market.</p><p>The turnout motor comprises two solenoids that pull the mechanism in either direction. The design includes an electrical cut-out to prevent the coils from remaining energized after fully actuating. This prevents the coils from overheating and melting the plastic thus allowing the motor to survive being switched with continuous current. Unfortunately the physical switch adds a tiny amount of load to the mechanism and this sometimes causes the motor to not fully switch. Since I switch all my turnouts with a pulse (and my software is stable enough to not forget to switch the current off after each pulse) I remove the physical switch to reduce the possibility of needing to pull the motor out of the layout due to failure.</p><p>In addition to removing the switch, I also lubricate the mechanism with graphite powder.</p><p>The plastic cap of the switch motor simply pops off revealing the two coils and the mechanism that slides up and down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUC6o2XFzoE9lz7FQH7fdrkTSpr3u9fGXFrGr5RpzKvvXiHnRuNHANMqCBhy9NXnXa4C3BErbh7Kmg6I2eB3kcREhWo1lNpCxq6S6O3F0vvb1yeD-TlAhUl-O3Ashzi72gbJRftIAX5fs6qdWYcGmGMhNkIk1d4J5IM7tSuypWpn7aT3D6osirErr/s2307/PXL_20220528_213729541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="2307" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUC6o2XFzoE9lz7FQH7fdrkTSpr3u9fGXFrGr5RpzKvvXiHnRuNHANMqCBhy9NXnXa4C3BErbh7Kmg6I2eB3kcREhWo1lNpCxq6S6O3F0vvb1yeD-TlAhUl-O3Ashzi72gbJRftIAX5fs6qdWYcGmGMhNkIk1d4J5IM7tSuypWpn7aT3D6osirErr/w640-h258/PXL_20220528_213729541.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div>The yellow wire provides power and the two blue wires complete the circuit when grounded. Two copper leaves isolate the 'yellow' power from the ' blue' ground depending on the motor position. This means that when the mechanism has been pulled to the right, the right hand coil is switched off and <i>vice versa</i>.<div><br></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Removing the two switches</h2><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Disclaimer</h3><div>It is sad that one needs to explicitly say this, but modifying a switch motor may result in its destruction. The modification described here is not reversible. It is a permanent modification. I am not responsible for anything that may result from anyone attempting to follow what I describe here. That includes damage to any switch motors, tools, trains, power systems, bodily injuries and psychological effects, loss of warranty, or any other nonsensical claims against me.</div></div><div><br></div><div>The first step is to pull up one of the copper leaves. I push the mechanism to the left and then pull out the right hand leaf. I use some tweezers to grab it and pull it out from underneath the plastic slider.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iTlgcOD-udqltVWFTuRCG9NTZOv86x76Dtcu5zoze68b2mm4_jsdbOsAWY7QSwqIWnwIemG_WwDmQBYq6gpwqw6OL_fPu9U5VZT79YNLkxHZs8d0wXLveWnvUr64VXCSKQ1jafv5TVn_AHADAHt_1gu_f_hRqFHbUAwg9WE7GEhHw0NObFkO6Cdd/s2747/PXL_20220528_213757071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2747" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iTlgcOD-udqltVWFTuRCG9NTZOv86x76Dtcu5zoze68b2mm4_jsdbOsAWY7QSwqIWnwIemG_WwDmQBYq6gpwqw6OL_fPu9U5VZT79YNLkxHZs8d0wXLveWnvUr64VXCSKQ1jafv5TVn_AHADAHt_1gu_f_hRqFHbUAwg9WE7GEhHw0NObFkO6Cdd/w640-h318/PXL_20220528_213757071.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div>Pulled up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3uZMnFQrWuOG_f00rmIxmgizejwY62xkfqhXcCm1pMHoIeEZe_0pAWlYM7cQ0a-N9bBagI66FuJXWxCKPvEK_NXZK50Ee8ZWCF8JSyZ325GOXesRn5ocQDpRkvIOAD142vgzaCZTyIzjDa07o0azcwSgGzfRmx0mbfv1QsI5L10dCGfynKydr41a/s1199/PXL_20220528_213826128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1199" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3uZMnFQrWuOG_f00rmIxmgizejwY62xkfqhXcCm1pMHoIeEZe_0pAWlYM7cQ0a-N9bBagI66FuJXWxCKPvEK_NXZK50Ee8ZWCF8JSyZ325GOXesRn5ocQDpRkvIOAD142vgzaCZTyIzjDa07o0azcwSgGzfRmx0mbfv1QsI5L10dCGfynKydr41a/w640-h424/PXL_20220528_213826128.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div><p>Once it is pulled up past the plastic slider, I fold it back and forth to cause it to break off at the circuit board due to metal fatigue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6zRt_rLAqND-oT2-8owXkt35w6doh8-nbbiPmG7P46kHod6rHAI-euRmazf4jGN_WCSxnpL90Oj76qgH73m8Sq1XY7ARuxSnqCNyK7xDQ3HW_nd0Ja7g_bhe6nWHWyGhPHlJhq2iFBIJKRI-tJVY7KhqSLAcJ_1cZQ6JN2lxXD_N1MjQzqyy7LO_/s1409/PXL_20220528_213843761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1409" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6zRt_rLAqND-oT2-8owXkt35w6doh8-nbbiPmG7P46kHod6rHAI-euRmazf4jGN_WCSxnpL90Oj76qgH73m8Sq1XY7ARuxSnqCNyK7xDQ3HW_nd0Ja7g_bhe6nWHWyGhPHlJhq2iFBIJKRI-tJVY7KhqSLAcJ_1cZQ6JN2lxXD_N1MjQzqyy7LO_/w640-h522/PXL_20220528_213843761.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p>Three or four motions left and right are normally enough to break it off.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdWl-I0NHl6SQ2Wf2h275ILiAIyOsjaO502ZWSrDEdckoTpJ9rmdlaecmZPZ5T0zU6NdT0sZggxi5L-TxWAdvm0fE_PT4cHsRRBpIe4EPOc_eoGik4k28Ee8rUcvsQXweUACuEcBpcmflPMcQ8WcTB9EWVF7DdrdDr7rRmhTGxaMvm8BjXqP6zQGb/s969/PXL_20220528_213934899.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="969" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdWl-I0NHl6SQ2Wf2h275ILiAIyOsjaO502ZWSrDEdckoTpJ9rmdlaecmZPZ5T0zU6NdT0sZggxi5L-TxWAdvm0fE_PT4cHsRRBpIe4EPOc_eoGik4k28Ee8rUcvsQXweUACuEcBpcmflPMcQ8WcTB9EWVF7DdrdDr7rRmhTGxaMvm8BjXqP6zQGb/w640-h554/PXL_20220528_213934899.MP.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div>I repeat all that on the other side too.<br><p>Now, since I have removed the switches, current from the yellow wire can never reach either coil. So I have to bridge the connection on the left and right.</p><p>Fortunately there are solder pads I can use! I bridge the two pads marked A and B where the red line is in this photograph:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ICyoJiKaKOh_A-My3uNYtC6hgg4B2pW2SOTtho835TjkCetLtV7fxujr747fAYHm64Xbwfe-Axm6Ft_kUblPQ23isf296uGsJJgks93GoWFx1PALpL3s2VpYBQlGX2pqQbzD8yYd27xY768iyp9Ja2BGlv29E2TUh_89mKVjdRb8rAYVK5nnCNyi/s1260/PXL_20220528_213944216.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1260" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ICyoJiKaKOh_A-My3uNYtC6hgg4B2pW2SOTtho835TjkCetLtV7fxujr747fAYHm64Xbwfe-Axm6Ft_kUblPQ23isf296uGsJJgks93GoWFx1PALpL3s2VpYBQlGX2pqQbzD8yYd27xY768iyp9Ja2BGlv29E2TUh_89mKVjdRb8rAYVK5nnCNyi/w640-h380/PXL_20220528_213944216.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div>Right hand side done:<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CbnMUzyMdXJo2r9hTnHYMt1GRBhEBD8_9IipVxg5bNyaFr6o-SRGu1jZ58ci9wXUUWvyO-LzY9wCROjzaN1lDNuC_eBhQGz1jypQzvMGv1y5eHXoUUF4oelzcKMC-gry9C6qH1MydQQUuRZSszaihotBniiy7fco6we95KJKyKojZmrvAgE74oxp/s968/PXL_20220528_214038962.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="968" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CbnMUzyMdXJo2r9hTnHYMt1GRBhEBD8_9IipVxg5bNyaFr6o-SRGu1jZ58ci9wXUUWvyO-LzY9wCROjzaN1lDNuC_eBhQGz1jypQzvMGv1y5eHXoUUF4oelzcKMC-gry9C6qH1MydQQUuRZSszaihotBniiy7fco6we95KJKyKojZmrvAgE74oxp/w640-h430/PXL_20220528_214038962.MP.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><p>I do the same on the left, making sure that the yellow wire remains connected.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWPntfr50eV22jIdhDU2zBmiRuGtlDDtZ1jyUUvIfc1QBu8nQyk9Wer69BnZsyuiv09hE7iW79mZWjKFh4EZjgRAfF5q7rNu50jkHzyy4E9vN8pLR0gbcOuqao-nXHdz8ohT8WtAJI5--NrJmfB8wJ6Bgc4UvsrVpHp8133OW3zDjzhxyXMVHGzL0/s957/PXL_20220528_214212042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="957" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWPntfr50eV22jIdhDU2zBmiRuGtlDDtZ1jyUUvIfc1QBu8nQyk9Wer69BnZsyuiv09hE7iW79mZWjKFh4EZjgRAfF5q7rNu50jkHzyy4E9vN8pLR0gbcOuqao-nXHdz8ohT8WtAJI5--NrJmfB8wJ6Bgc4UvsrVpHp8133OW3zDjzhxyXMVHGzL0/w640-h440/PXL_20220528_214212042.jpg" width="640"></a></div><p>If I find that I end up with a big blob of solder bridging the pads, I check that it does not foul the end of the moving mechanism. If it does, I simply snip off the end of the plastic as can be seen above.</p><p>At this stage it is prudent to test that the motor actuates in both directions. I hold the bare end of the yellow wire onto a yellow wire from a 16V AC transformer and then alternately ground (brown) each of the blue wires for <b>just a moment</b>. As each blue wire is grounded it should snap the mechanism left or right.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Lubrication of the mechanism</h2></div><div>These switch motors are not expected to be lubricated, but I lubricate mine using graphite powder. </div><div><br></div><div>I dip a small screwdriver into the powder and tap it where the plastic mechanism slides against other parts.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAJRJumb6YEdBtUXwXlFarOmpwa6_-gLZW7Ol_s_oPvCP7D1lcdJNFNYitZO87PsG5cPJb0l-EAszYhPRnNYVUWIKDFDPfT4ovC1I1FW0tD4L5td_SK2UCLlwWvnXOjn_pmOrFEpucWHZxTUcdXtcKfhXz9DlqV-N5CAt-oLnzWf8nMq3BlzBZnP4/s2415/PXL_20220528_214247682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="2415" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAJRJumb6YEdBtUXwXlFarOmpwa6_-gLZW7Ol_s_oPvCP7D1lcdJNFNYitZO87PsG5cPJb0l-EAszYhPRnNYVUWIKDFDPfT4ovC1I1FW0tD4L5td_SK2UCLlwWvnXOjn_pmOrFEpucWHZxTUcdXtcKfhXz9DlqV-N5CAt-oLnzWf8nMq3BlzBZnP4/w640-h290/PXL_20220528_214247682.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div>I also try to get some into the area where the tongue actuator moves in and out of the motor..</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCgZTU2rFzSmPhqMwAru44QAHBNb-WW2EABt0qxuX0LFn-LnhTodGdbWYAlIu6QcbuqbrfQGaF7kDP4LdTMOzFFrXmjbu24nsvYl-TWYE6WPrWNXCB0lIYkK9oailxwWkfd8W31TeI_uMlyzj88mL0faGaKNrteQPj6Ew9W99s27WP6luCYUwPwTF/s1418/PXL_20220528_214326713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1418" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCgZTU2rFzSmPhqMwAru44QAHBNb-WW2EABt0qxuX0LFn-LnhTodGdbWYAlIu6QcbuqbrfQGaF7kDP4LdTMOzFFrXmjbu24nsvYl-TWYE6WPrWNXCB0lIYkK9oailxwWkfd8W31TeI_uMlyzj88mL0faGaKNrteQPj6Ew9W99s27WP6luCYUwPwTF/w640-h500/PXL_20220528_214326713.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div>I then move the mechanism up and down a bunch of times to get the powder in place. One can feel how easy the movement becomes.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8wpNSwHkKU0aY_K1vUEUssLJHqcPuRO8gYRqFJcOO7tfRtGOExu6Pr29qRFsjsqOhfUkf7oM-nEd0qVhffZ4ZzQI1s8BNOmgh9CFCS0J2OI_CqRYWY9COuujsFDIWj1YqrIXGf91gvFxkrfrRHaZjWrDbmTzsx9jqkZVndtA0wChubDWXROCTIni/s2231/PXL_20220528_214351075.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2231" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8wpNSwHkKU0aY_K1vUEUssLJHqcPuRO8gYRqFJcOO7tfRtGOExu6Pr29qRFsjsqOhfUkf7oM-nEd0qVhffZ4ZzQI1s8BNOmgh9CFCS0J2OI_CqRYWY9COuujsFDIWj1YqrIXGf91gvFxkrfrRHaZjWrDbmTzsx9jqkZVndtA0wChubDWXROCTIni/w640-h322/PXL_20220528_214351075.MP.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br><div><br></div></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-59827359431161986512022-01-31T22:43:00.019-05:002022-02-22T15:07:15.858-05:00Track power, AC, DC, and digital<p>There is a tremendous amount of confusion in the hobby about the nature of the electricity found in model train tracks. This is aimed and explaining the characteristics of the different types..</p><p>Before we get into actual trains let's get the terminology straight first.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Alternating current (AC)</h4><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously </i><i>with time in contrast to direct current (DC)</i></p><p><i>The usual waveform of alternating current in most electric power circuits is a sine wave, whose positive half-period corresponds with positive direction of the current and vice versa. In certain applications different waveforms are used, such as triangular waves or square waves. These currents typically alternate at higher frequencies than those used in power transmission.</i></p></blockquote><h4 style="text-align: left;">Direct Current (DC)</h4><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p>From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_current" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><i>Direct current (DC) is one-directional flow of electric charge. The electric current flows in a constant direction, distinguishing it from alternating current (AC)</i></blockquote><p> </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Pulse wave</h4><p> From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_wave" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>A pulse wave or pulse train is a kind of non-sinusoidal waveform that includes square waves (duty cycle of 50%) and similarly periodic but asymmetrical waves (duty cycles other than 50%).</i></p></blockquote><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Digital Cab Control (DCC )</h4><p>This is the predominant standard digital protocol, and is maintained by the NMRA. The electrical characteristics are defined by <a href="https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/s-9.1_electrical_standards_for_digital_command_control_2021.pdf" target="_blank">NMRA: S-9.1</a> which defines the signal on the rails as:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The NMRA baseline digital command control signal consists of a stream of transitions between two equal voltage levels that have opposite polarity</i>.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Command_Control#How_DCC_works" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>The command station/booster quickly alternates the polarity on the rails, resulting in a modulated pulse wave.</i></p></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT7aEPDaxKespPREG5_Q0JbohwW7SxQdpmRfp4mE5UyeIwXEm3eQ8kDua5AzPHpOy8DJk7iU_buzQhHV1CZsQr6-ACLlZ-Ae9o95zdr_mZ81XcsvpM8a72JNjFWgfnjKevUF4vbdzb-A-h9fuWDejeuMAlgdWAu-oNavFrAoWme2LL2_8Li85WwTAV=s346" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DCC signal wave form" border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="346" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT7aEPDaxKespPREG5_Q0JbohwW7SxQdpmRfp4mE5UyeIwXEm3eQ8kDua5AzPHpOy8DJk7iU_buzQhHV1CZsQr6-ACLlZ-Ae9o95zdr_mZ81XcsvpM8a72JNjFWgfnjKevUF4vbdzb-A-h9fuWDejeuMAlgdWAu-oNavFrAoWme2LL2_8Li85WwTAV=w320-h232" title="DCC signal wave form" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DCCsig.png</span></td></tr></tbody></table><hr />
<p>Now, let's look at some model train history. There are two ways of supplying current via the tracks to electrical model trains, three-rail and two rail.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Three-rail systems have an electrical contact between the two outer rails and power is picked up by a slider that runs along the third rail and returns power through the wheels to the two running rails which were electrically connected.</li><li>Two rail systems use both running rails to provide the two electrical poles.</li></ul><div>Historically some model train manufacturers, such as Märklin, opted for 3-rail and others, 2-rail.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to the number of electrical rails used, manufacturers needed to choose the nature of the current. Before digital came along there were two analog options AC or DC. Märklin standardized on AC and others went with DC. Both systems controlled the speed of locomotives by varying the voltage of the current. Märklin controllers varied the running speed by varying the AC voltage from zero to 16 VAC and the wave form (at full speed) can be represented as follows:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5bf2kFDP8Q04sBGjAs0VU-7nsYxY-3Z21a7MTZbrJyTzvPLgSOUYyEWSYrYjksGC_AFhW0z0TBPP_NnYFIXswNjkVlIROM-GIVSdlrDir3UfTkJ-BPMjILDScOF0JMA7gqfGRsVJ_KhSKHbmKI1ksbDhINaZcTh12SPF_lm5-Z496EwDZdqNyfTQO=s635" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Representation of AC current over time" border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="635" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5bf2kFDP8Q04sBGjAs0VU-7nsYxY-3Z21a7MTZbrJyTzvPLgSOUYyEWSYrYjksGC_AFhW0z0TBPP_NnYFIXswNjkVlIROM-GIVSdlrDir3UfTkJ-BPMjILDScOF0JMA7gqfGRsVJ_KhSKHbmKI1ksbDhINaZcTh12SPF_lm5-Z496EwDZdqNyfTQO=w640-h180" title="Representation of AC current over time" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The wave form of the analog train track voltage was sinusoidal (that wave shape you see above), simply because it was created by transforming mains voltage (sinusoidal 220VAC or 110VAC) to 16VAC.</div><div><br /></div><div>Changing direction was initially achieved by flipping a switch on the locomotive, and then later by sending a high voltage AC pulse. The pulse actuated a solenoid which switched the wires through the field coils.</div><div><br /></div><div>DC systems controlled the speed by varying the DC voltage and direction changes were achieved by reversing the polarity so that the motor turned in the opposite direction. Here is a representation of a DC current at a constant speed setting:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdOstcfYcmYuSXl7bE6mzPnj2miLo_bb92mw2waxb_BsXFgUPeIM8PktbRnOwxMnkj_aoFEDu-qUz1QOUxYwWOgfraqhfYhrU4TG5le48NgxMTj3ITtIsXqmuLfxG58HLhvq5olvzPJqF1vG555eZmThIb7dVyejP2CNXxkbadw4o44pkhi8U0z7-a=s635" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Representation of DC current over time" border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="635" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdOstcfYcmYuSXl7bE6mzPnj2miLo_bb92mw2waxb_BsXFgUPeIM8PktbRnOwxMnkj_aoFEDu-qUz1QOUxYwWOgfraqhfYhrU4TG5le48NgxMTj3ITtIsXqmuLfxG58HLhvq5olvzPJqF1vG555eZmThIb7dVyejP2CNXxkbadw4o44pkhi8U0z7-a=w640-h180" title="Representation of DC current over time" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The combination of those two decisions resulted in a world where most 3-rail systems used AC current and most 2-rail systems used DC current. This in turn, resulted in many people referring to the two dominant systems as either AC/DC or 3-rail/2rail through association. It is quite possible to have a 2-rail AC system and a 3-rail DC system.</div><p></p><p>The upshot of this nomenclature is that many people now think that any 3-rail system is AC and that 2-rail systems are DC. That was not much of a problem until digital control came along.</p><p>As can be seen by the definitions of AC and the NMRA DCC specification, <b>there is no other logical conclusion other than the fact that DCC is a type of alternating current</b>. The current alternates polarity rapidly, which is what defines AC current. The DCC signal is not sinusoidal, but as is clear from the Wikipedia definition, AC current is not limited to being sinusoidal.</p><p>Here are three different AC waveforms:</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5bf2kFDP8Q04sBGjAs0VU-7nsYxY-3Z21a7MTZbrJyTzvPLgSOUYyEWSYrYjksGC_AFhW0z0TBPP_NnYFIXswNjkVlIROM-GIVSdlrDir3UfTkJ-BPMjILDScOF0JMA7gqfGRsVJ_KhSKHbmKI1ksbDhINaZcTh12SPF_lm5-Z496EwDZdqNyfTQO=s635" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Representation of AC current over time" border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="635" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5bf2kFDP8Q04sBGjAs0VU-7nsYxY-3Z21a7MTZbrJyTzvPLgSOUYyEWSYrYjksGC_AFhW0z0TBPP_NnYFIXswNjkVlIROM-GIVSdlrDir3UfTkJ-BPMjILDScOF0JMA7gqfGRsVJ_KhSKHbmKI1ksbDhINaZcTh12SPF_lm5-Z496EwDZdqNyfTQO=w640-h181" title="Representation of AC current over time" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7NfHWBdvxWG44rbpmYr89ClLjM5rTRcxaE6P0EqoK5g4Q8M9qw22BusnksZ0sIufmzhDawwvC-N9WwFqcenoxYfClH2qZyUvp28b1uLsR2UnzfKt4Mo1C-X1qrszn2Br43gbLL9RNgLP0qlGIQKnCh7XPti7E7PZQu7Sq7F3ZhwlkZo8IGtkRAy4P=s678" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Representation of pulse wave current over time" border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="678" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7NfHWBdvxWG44rbpmYr89ClLjM5rTRcxaE6P0EqoK5g4Q8M9qw22BusnksZ0sIufmzhDawwvC-N9WwFqcenoxYfClH2qZyUvp28b1uLsR2UnzfKt4Mo1C-X1qrszn2Br43gbLL9RNgLP0qlGIQKnCh7XPti7E7PZQu7Sq7F3ZhwlkZo8IGtkRAy4P=w640-h232" title="Representation of pulse wave current over time" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT7aEPDaxKespPREG5_Q0JbohwW7SxQdpmRfp4mE5UyeIwXEm3eQ8kDua5AzPHpOy8DJk7iU_buzQhHV1CZsQr6-ACLlZ-Ae9o95zdr_mZ81XcsvpM8a72JNjFWgfnjKevUF4vbdzb-A-h9fuWDejeuMAlgdWAu-oNavFrAoWme2LL2_8Li85WwTAV=s346" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DCC signal wave form" border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="346" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT7aEPDaxKespPREG5_Q0JbohwW7SxQdpmRfp4mE5UyeIwXEm3eQ8kDua5AzPHpOy8DJk7iU_buzQhHV1CZsQr6-ACLlZ-Ae9o95zdr_mZ81XcsvpM8a72JNjFWgfnjKevUF4vbdzb-A-h9fuWDejeuMAlgdWAu-oNavFrAoWme2LL2_8Li85WwTAV=w200-h145" title="DCC signal wave form" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DCCsig.png</span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">Now that all describes the nature of the current in the rails. When a digital locomotive gets a digital signal from the track, it feeds that into a digital decoder. The decoder decodes the information in the voltage polarity oscillations into data that it uses to decide if it needs to do anything (such as go faster/ stop/ turn on lights etc.) and it also converts (rectifies) that alternating current into a DC current. In addition to powering the decoder itself, the DC current is also fed to lights, and the motor with the polarity matching the desired direction of travel. The speed of the loco is governed by pulsing the DC current on and off at different ratios. This is called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).</p><p style="text-align: left;">Modern decoders prefer using DC to drive the motor for two main reasons:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>It is backward compatible with DC motors found in analog locomotives as well as universal AC motors.</li><li>It allows load control using back EMF - essentially it is able to get feedback from a DC motor to determine how fast the motor is turning.</li></ol><div>This means that if one is converting an analog AC locomotive to use a modern decoder, it is best to convert the universal AC motor to a pure DC motor. This is achieved by replacing the field coils with a permanent magnet.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you have been fully following along, a modern digital locomotive is picking up an <b>AC digital pulse wave</b> from the tracks and sending <b>PWM</b> <b>DC power</b> to the motor.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is why referring to a locomotive as either AC or DC can be confusing. AC could (sloppily) refer to 3-rail, or the form of the track current or the nature of the motor in the loco.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Multimeters</h4><div>People who have digital systems sometimes try to debug a problem by measuring the current in the tracks by whipping out their multimeter. Some multimeters demand to be set to either AC or DC depending on the type of current to be measured, newer ones may also have a combined mode in which it figures out if the power is AC or DC. The problem is that most meters assume that any AC current to be measured is sinusoidal in nature, because that is the usual form of AC current that most people encounter - we all have it supplying power in our homes and old analog train controllers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, sinusoidal wave forms of AC have a very very short period where the voltage is at the maximum and minimum. For this reason AC sinusoidal voltages are expressed as the Root Mean Squared (RMS) voltage - the voltage that gives the same effective amount of resistive power had it been DC instead of AC. i.e. the RMS voltage of a sinusoidal AC current is determined dividing the average peaks by the square root of 2, which is 1.41.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look again at the representation of the wave form from a 16V sinusoidal AC power source such as a Märklin analog controller:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5bf2kFDP8Q04sBGjAs0VU-7nsYxY-3Z21a7MTZbrJyTzvPLgSOUYyEWSYrYjksGC_AFhW0z0TBPP_NnYFIXswNjkVlIROM-GIVSdlrDir3UfTkJ-BPMjILDScOF0JMA7gqfGRsVJ_KhSKHbmKI1ksbDhINaZcTh12SPF_lm5-Z496EwDZdqNyfTQO=s635" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Representation of AC current over time" border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="635" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5bf2kFDP8Q04sBGjAs0VU-7nsYxY-3Z21a7MTZbrJyTzvPLgSOUYyEWSYrYjksGC_AFhW0z0TBPP_NnYFIXswNjkVlIROM-GIVSdlrDir3UfTkJ-BPMjILDScOF0JMA7gqfGRsVJ_KhSKHbmKI1ksbDhINaZcTh12SPF_lm5-Z496EwDZdqNyfTQO=w640-h180" title="Representation of AC current over time" width="640" /></a></div><div>Note that the peaks and troughs are in fact at 22.4 Volts not 16 Volts. This current would supply the same effective heating power as a 16V DC power supply.</div><div><br /></div><div>When measuring this with you fancy RMS meter, you want to get a reading of 16VAC not 22.4VAC. You can think of it as the meter automatically dividing by 1.41 for you. <u>This works so long as the wave form is sinusoidal.</u></div><div><br /></div><div>What we have learned however, is that the AC current in a DCC digital system is <i>not </i>sinusoidal. This means that using your RMS meter to measure the voltage of the track current will <i>not </i>give you a usable result. What you get is <i>undefined </i>and thus meaningless. <b>Meaningless</b>. It does not mean that the power in the tracks is not AC and must therefore be DC, nor does it mean it is, 3-phase, or some alien mixture of power unknown to Wikipedia. The only meaning is that you do not have a quick way of determining the amplitude of the wave forms.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to know what the maximum amplitude (V) is (perhaps to compare different systems?), you need to rectify the power and measure the DC voltage after rectification. You can use an off the shelf rectifier or 4 diodes (such as 1N4001) arranged like this:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0PM8apoXZX5F03awJpnyOawaQKx40YbWQ7uVd31Q17HPfInj-_BORrQHmAP5mF879xKNP_tf4ANl5fetZb6PwKYWEcJid506u1_mbrgfkclc7oWwHBUrc6TYY7zkmZViRFz2ANOB0Ows-3GOxHNwX2V0dQOYeomf5T8wI_ZgaX_cP2P-LqMryddUZ=s313" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rectifying and measuring digital track voltage" border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0PM8apoXZX5F03awJpnyOawaQKx40YbWQ7uVd31Q17HPfInj-_BORrQHmAP5mF879xKNP_tf4ANl5fetZb6PwKYWEcJid506u1_mbrgfkclc7oWwHBUrc6TYY7zkmZViRFz2ANOB0Ows-3GOxHNwX2V0dQOYeomf5T8wI_ZgaX_cP2P-LqMryddUZ=s16000" title="rectifying and measuring digital track voltage" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Brake modules</h4><div>Some manufacturers offer what they call brake modules that will stop a digital locomotive in a non-digital manner. It works by rectifying the track current (so that it is DC), and locomotive decoders which support braking modules are designed to slow to a stop when they detect DC current. That tells you that the digital current is not DC, leaving only AC as the alternative (given that there is no 3-phase system).</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Other digital systems</h4><div>In the text above I have described the AC wave form of DCC, but there are also other digital systems, such as the original Märklin digital system. Detailed information on the electrical characteristics are not as readily available as for DCC, but the Märklin (item 0303) book: <b>Model Railroading Digitally Controlled</b> by Georg Fuhs and published in 1988 gives clear evidence that the track signal is AC.</div><div><br /></div><div>On page 11</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>...it was decided during the design phase of the Märklin Digital system to limit it to only two "conditions", namely "positive voltage" (approx. +20 volts) and "negative voltage" (approx. - 20 volts)</i></div><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div>When describing how the original c80 decoder works on pg. 71 it states:</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The c 80 locomotive decoder receives information sent by the Central Unit or Central Control. This information is first checked for frequency. The decoder is able to differentiate conventional operation (50 Hz), information for solenoid accessories (approx. 10 kHz) and information for locomotives (approx. 5 kHz).</i> </div><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div>DC current does not have a frequency to detect. It goes on though:</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The "digital current" is rectified at the entry point to the decoder so that a continuous current for controlling the locomotive motor through the track is available independent of the flow of data. The power supply for the auxiliary function, by comparison, comes only from the negative part of the third rail potential.</i></div><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div>So, they rectify (convert from AC to DC) the current, and furthermore they declare that the aux function is only half wave rectified, a clear indication that both positive and negative voltages are present. That means it is AC.</div><div><br /></div><div>On pg. 73 they discuss what happens if there is DC current on the track:</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>If DC current is present in the track, the locomotive will function only when there is a positive potential in the third rail. If the potential is negative, this corresponds to the condition "turn on" in the Digital control and results in a quasi "stand by": the locomotive remains at a halt and the auxiliary function is shut off. The information for speed and auxiliary function remain stored, however. As soon as the third rail potential becomes positive again, these stored commands are carried out.</i></div><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div>So this conclusively confirms that the Märklin Motorola based digital track current was <i>also</i> AC.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Personal note: In 1989 I visited Georg Fuhs at his residence and demonstrated the program I had written which he tested on an N scale Arnold layout he was building in his basement, and it worked.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note that unlike DCC, the Märklin Motorola (MM) system encodes 1s using a positive voltage and 0s with a negative voltage. DCC instead makes the duration of both a positive and negative cycle twice as long for a 0 than that of a 1. This means that if you were to keep sampling a voltage directly on a MM system you might see a higher voltage when more 1s are being transmitted than 0s. On a DCC system the ratio of 1s to 0s will make no difference when averaged.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Additional notes</h4><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Amazingly it is possible for both MM and DCC to coexist in the same track. This is achieved by controllers such as the Intellibox, allowing both MM and DCC decoders to run on the same track.</li><li>Many decoders can handle multiple protocols and even analog, switching to whatever style of current they detect.</li><li>If you are still not convinced that digital track signal is a form of AC, place an LED with a 1K Ohm resistor across the two track poles. LEDs can only tolerate power in one direction. They will burn out if AC current is applied or DC is applied in the incorrect polarity. If the LED lights up and stays on, then you have DC or pulsed DC current. This can be confirmed by reversing the LED, switching the polarity. If it then burns out, it confirms that you have DC or pulsed DC power. If an LED burns out no matter what the polarity, then you have AC power.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-36075830190762437762021-11-27T22:20:00.020-05:002023-12-31T10:51:47.477-05:00Android Cab control<p>At times I seem to get fixated on making a cab view control and to date I have made five such cab controls, each time with different technology, and each time it gets a bit better.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp7nMNaedMd2KBAfn6YxXnZPwL8Yx_C8PMBmXrd0cGGzz_2eW_KQvCXK5I6PzCzvcinZRJfArIjY8bFEuPbBbmoG9nQ06c30H_-mWp1uonYOzlDh_k9NLL655kcLGR1hk9KofdJWykL5hZSzjRuXOZwSZgHVFvuNFH8IZn0SMSprKM3V5kEtuJmmdE=s2340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp7nMNaedMd2KBAfn6YxXnZPwL8Yx_C8PMBmXrd0cGGzz_2eW_KQvCXK5I6PzCzvcinZRJfArIjY8bFEuPbBbmoG9nQ06c30H_-mWp1uonYOzlDh_k9NLL655kcLGR1hk9KofdJWykL5hZSzjRuXOZwSZgHVFvuNFH8IZn0SMSprKM3V5kEtuJmmdE=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>My<a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2011/01/signal-aspect-display-in-cabview.html"> first effort</a> was built into the train control software.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vc5tAsgrVog/WPkJKWFgHJI/AAAAAAADK5o/hmxLNTbjolo_u91KwRUGfiYq8yQsO8i0QCPcBGAYYCw/s397/Vr2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="397" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vc5tAsgrVog/WPkJKWFgHJI/AAAAAAADK5o/hmxLNTbjolo_u91KwRUGfiYq8yQsO8i0QCPcBGAYYCw/s16000/Vr2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I got an HP <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2005/09/remote-train-controller-on-pda-pocketpc.html">PDA device</a> that had a wifi connection so I wrote a program that ran on that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgTda64V8mg/WPuYDVgM8yI/AAAAAAADLCM/Q4OXfA1gWacoWO2vIfrlaFoGg8wknPakQCPcBGAYYCw/s639/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgTda64V8mg/WPuYDVgM8yI/AAAAAAADLCM/Q4OXfA1gWacoWO2vIfrlaFoGg8wknPakQCPcBGAYYCw/s16000/4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I made one that would <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2014/08/browser-based-layout-control.html">display in a browser</a>. In this version, I managed to superimpose signals showing the current signal aspect into the image.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7KHItAsgAs/WDX4NtVI9TI/AAAAAAADC0k/CVALou_5C7s2ar-yRwztVKu0Id6WAw4IACPcBGAYYCw/s1024/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1024" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7KHItAsgAs/WDX4NtVI9TI/AAAAAAADC0k/CVALou_5C7s2ar-yRwztVKu0Id6WAw4IACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h396/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I made <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2019/03/mobile-phone-layout-control-app.html">one that would run on a phone</a> using Blynk technology. It did not allow the flexibility to position the signal in the image so I displayed signals to the side, but at least it was now on my phone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfFMpD8r5vc/XIglBLLyKnI/AAAAAAAET3I/B3-X9_I9EiwZV0sYJ6kn1bvo_6W1adjPgCPcBGAYYCw/s2560/Screenshot_20190312-171221.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tfFMpD8r5vc/XIglBLLyKnI/AAAAAAAET3I/B3-X9_I9EiwZV0sYJ6kn1bvo_6W1adjPgCPcBGAYYCw/w360-h640/Screenshot_20190312-171221.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p>And now, I have made one that runs on a phone (and Windows) using <a href="https://www.appgamekit.com/" target="_blank">AppGameKit</a></p><p>This version has a better speed display, in addition to the track speed limit and current desired speed of the train, speeds above the speed limit of the (lead) locomotive are shown in red. The speedometer scale also changes dynamically according to the maximum speed of the current locomotive.</p><p>As before, all available digital functions can be invoked by buttons, but now the buttons also make a realistic click sound. It also superimposes signals onto the track image. When one touches any control in the cab, the image outside the window goes out of focus for half a second to simulate the depth of field of the driver's vision.</p><p>It now also features a cab window frame with windscreen wiper.</p><p>The Locomotive name and current odometer is also displayed. The odometer changes as the train travels about and is an actual distance covered by that model, accumulated over the years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeIu8EftoISHzOQWU2Z1RKyAmVON4FWy2uqIo-O9A1pcjUVfuQPSi20mSacnNyUr87ZPpMENeGDunrloyv_MByKwd8xw6tvleMI8vmevfwIenBSouEyIvTOE3Av0Kk2_tyxY2nHhm_T5kHfbva3EBBCY0TIeMomYq9olprTHeSMKKk5RzUQ-psPt-O=s2340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeIu8EftoISHzOQWU2Z1RKyAmVON4FWy2uqIo-O9A1pcjUVfuQPSi20mSacnNyUr87ZPpMENeGDunrloyv_MByKwd8xw6tvleMI8vmevfwIenBSouEyIvTOE3Av0Kk2_tyxY2nHhm_T5kHfbva3EBBCY0TIeMomYq9olprTHeSMKKk5RzUQ-psPt-O=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>When the signal changes it shows immediately.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiodrhZg3Yx7d6mrRJjttnGeHQMhhMsolRUjDLVdgyNz5UbSeTSHXh0KHvxT-ZwRoxLIY5syrgQWhRToJ5oab8yCIBUBPctH0v4E0Ixmj4knS3wXMrNv_TeSLcNxs8bT_GkngTToig7MX4nNXcpQjdNjcb8WW6-jvaSCY9jPTlwtZHT9df4ZDLGC-iN=s2340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiodrhZg3Yx7d6mrRJjttnGeHQMhhMsolRUjDLVdgyNz5UbSeTSHXh0KHvxT-ZwRoxLIY5syrgQWhRToJ5oab8yCIBUBPctH0v4E0Ixmj4knS3wXMrNv_TeSLcNxs8bT_GkngTToig7MX4nNXcpQjdNjcb8WW6-jvaSCY9jPTlwtZHT9df4ZDLGC-iN=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A new feature is the <b>ambient light of the track image can also be simulated</b> from bright and sunny to pitch dark. The locomotive headlights light up the image too! Here it is getting somewhat dark and the loco lights are on.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YlZDhh69RM/YaLrpabY3jI/AAAAAAAFRaE/x167ATEgBhAffWjkrx0vLJI-5NHEwpC7wCPcBGAsYHg/s2340/Screenshot_20211126-223423.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YlZDhh69RM/YaLrpabY3jI/AAAAAAAFRaE/x167ATEgBhAffWjkrx0vLJI-5NHEwpC7wCPcBGAsYHg/w296-h640/Screenshot_20211126-223423.png" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In total darkness and no headlamps! The ambient light data comes from the layout control software which will relay the current ambient light of the layout room. So, as a sunset occurs, we see sunset colors in the cab control on the phone!</div><div><br /></div><div>(I plan on perhaps not having the reflective stripes show up without the headlamps.)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx4v2_JO990/YaLrpXurpKI/AAAAAAAFRaE/e2QkDqLAfBQBuVERkPqA5sfdvl-fkWqLwCPcBGAsYHg/s2340/Screenshot_20211126-223500.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qx4v2_JO990/YaLrpXurpKI/AAAAAAAFRaE/e2QkDqLAfBQBuVERkPqA5sfdvl-fkWqLwCPcBGAsYHg/w296-h640/Screenshot_20211126-223500.png" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When inside an underground station that has its own lighting, the image is of course not darkened.<br /><p>Oh, and it can also announce destinations etc. in German. When the train being viewed is dispatched there is a voice announcement stating that the driver has permission to start and what the destination is. If a trip is cancelled, that is also announced. </p><p>When the train has been dispatched, the desired speed is indicated with a yellow marker on the speedometer, and also presented (below the digital speed indicator) in yellow. 84Km/h in this example:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0jcIXP_ld9ZVfeKQWYWjuz0f0vu0INFZX9dxTIDccSAQ_mQUiKfTSQZ12fU2KFdXOTUS_NK1IzcshnohvmRGUNADz9slWWj8bGQ65tbHRvLHYKvwCcc-LnFtoCRIkSbB-ZMuDjb_GWXq6yg2oZ7951MaLz-fD2eGJOd17lErkA7ZGliF4Y52kMMGJ=s2340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0jcIXP_ld9ZVfeKQWYWjuz0f0vu0INFZX9dxTIDccSAQ_mQUiKfTSQZ12fU2KFdXOTUS_NK1IzcshnohvmRGUNADz9slWWj8bGQ65tbHRvLHYKvwCcc-LnFtoCRIkSbB-ZMuDjb_GWXq6yg2oZ7951MaLz-fD2eGJOd17lErkA7ZGliF4Y52kMMGJ=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><p>As before, it can also:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Turn layout track power on and off</li><li>Disable unexpected train alerts</li><li>Pick any train and dispatch it to any destination.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGMQJ8kOtWvctsKNfEhog75l57-J-_uK9lbpydB80pfC0A6X3x7BQ6e8nFfA5J4vTWFHJq14zOXEdKO80JBbMV7tkV3FgCQKSEPdqXUQgU7A-KRlpEJjFKuo6YztUcMbx7nfXe-Xy0-PZLwsh2FhFpfvcPy3Fb__XIn_d_6JAgaem-9W8ybvoIq7C3=s2340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGMQJ8kOtWvctsKNfEhog75l57-J-_uK9lbpydB80pfC0A6X3x7BQ6e8nFfA5J4vTWFHJq14zOXEdKO80JBbMV7tkV3FgCQKSEPdqXUQgU7A-KRlpEJjFKuo6YztUcMbx7nfXe-Xy0-PZLwsh2FhFpfvcPy3Fb__XIn_d_6JAgaem-9W8ybvoIq7C3=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><br /></li><li>Trigger any event in the train control software</li><li>Set any accessory address to red/green</li><li>Monitor any sensor address</li></ul><p></p><p>The track images are cached on the phone. If the software is directed to use an image it does not have, it fetches the image from the <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/p/software.html">Bw software</a>. It can also request all the images for all tracks and caches those for instant loading as needed.</p><p>It is based on the <a href="https://remotesign.mixmox.com/p/sdk.html" target="_blank">RemoteSign command set</a>, communicating with my Bw train software over the network.</p><p>I might add the <i>Buchfahrplan </i>information display so the person driving the train sees the prototypical journey information as they progress along their trip.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Update</h2><p>I have added a throttle so one can control the acceleration and braking of the train.</p><p>I have also added Indusi, Sifa and AFB features.</p><p>The Indusi system warns the locomotive driver about upcoming signals and they have to acknowledge these warning by pressing an acknowledgement within 30 seconds, and bring the train speed below a certain threshold within 20 seconds. If these conditions are not met the emergency brakes are applied. The allowable speed for the train after passing 1000Hz Indusi transponder is also indicated with the prototypical flashing. The system automatically sets the Indusi category (which in turn governs the speed limits allowed) based on the train definition in the main layout control software.</p><p>Here an ICE has passed a 1000Hz Indusi magnet and has 20 seconds to get below 85km/h (and is only doing 70)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDFwjfoNClVhKiBbH2CkFmLGHN0UqkagCtgVQHvNewOUSFOCcu8V4Uc90XoXORuxsLh_r7etSl26F2tRXyUcyzglw9JMqFh14K7MiUzzdhS31dKFdAmH2C5zdM1GBNLBk1pOMD9v633fiQ8u0qmZCmqjdBTFoHfVhCTK8uxFrHSqbun3ChiYVRzriQ=s2340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDFwjfoNClVhKiBbH2CkFmLGHN0UqkagCtgVQHvNewOUSFOCcu8V4Uc90XoXORuxsLh_r7etSl26F2tRXyUcyzglw9JMqFh14K7MiUzzdhS31dKFdAmH2C5zdM1GBNLBk1pOMD9v633fiQ8u0qmZCmqjdBTFoHfVhCTK8uxFrHSqbun3ChiYVRzriQ=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p>Sifa is an additional driver attentiveness system that requires a button to be pressed periodically. If the button is not pressed, then a verbal warning is made in the cab and if the Sifa button is still not actuated, the emergency brakes are applied.</p><p>The AFB (<i>Automatische Fahr- und Bremssteuerung</i>) mode can be switched on and off. When it is on, the system controls the speed of the train itself. When it is off, you have to set the throttle/brake control manually to regulate the speed of the train.</p><p>Here an ICE is coasting along at 107km/h with AFB off.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZSLVa5ZUthEw0PBNc7y9SKVvFZUgTwvGllUsbqmY1DJ5XrKpKJDCNiv-4h78mG7LcHETWqzpnd9sE5GJI7tSj60iCqkR0TceoobNimwtlADOrAWntMjJYB-ThZvcr3qETwa6tBfAxR3_jU3gO_A5PV1kmLRMEKO6uWXda3SNwRuVGceeOTe41tNQ3=s2340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZSLVa5ZUthEw0PBNc7y9SKVvFZUgTwvGllUsbqmY1DJ5XrKpKJDCNiv-4h78mG7LcHETWqzpnd9sE5GJI7tSj60iCqkR0TceoobNimwtlADOrAWntMjJYB-ThZvcr3qETwa6tBfAxR3_jU3gO_A5PV1kmLRMEKO6uWXda3SNwRuVGceeOTe41tNQ3=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p>A train with the lowest speed category in a hidden area awaiting a green signal</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA6T-AhX8ZNNrX6H0n8mjU16--UnHc746vsOY1g0dsj_ZBm-qi1IFquzg27EpgVfg126e8HKIcLOuU1tbOWencsGsitNmcWcfEyIu6ZWOgZSKkgwr9EtlJJRIkhBJ_6JBl7djZDLhYW13BtFXiDEbTUweKeL-5onjFisWuLY0kXIcq2LSCuD4Vedy4=s2340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhA6T-AhX8ZNNrX6H0n8mjU16--UnHc746vsOY1g0dsj_ZBm-qi1IFquzg27EpgVfg126e8HKIcLOuU1tbOWencsGsitNmcWcfEyIu6ZWOgZSKkgwr9EtlJJRIkhBJ_6JBl7djZDLhYW13BtFXiDEbTUweKeL-5onjFisWuLY0kXIcq2LSCuD4Vedy4=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p>An S-Bahn train in the middle category:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjvuomR1ZqbTIzL_7iplNEF9iRaLIfBbUH-2K29GVyxLJbegUln67NInmQLiM5lpHDIKrj1jCof0vvRWc3vqMhdADH92-lzlxx0E6RgfAtYFJpO9QU6yVeSt9r8TcGbuI0MEBhOAZG72ui53WdtffpmCWWvn1suhHai9rIph9JYFG2KGwdSNJ4hckQ=s2340" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjvuomR1ZqbTIzL_7iplNEF9iRaLIfBbUH-2K29GVyxLJbegUln67NInmQLiM5lpHDIKrj1jCof0vvRWc3vqMhdADH92-lzlxx0E6RgfAtYFJpO9QU6yVeSt9r8TcGbuI0MEBhOAZG72ui53WdtffpmCWWvn1suhHai9rIph9JYFG2KGwdSNJ4hckQ=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-32041584255739552452021-03-22T22:23:00.004-04:002024-01-05T11:29:59.948-05:00Quick guide to German pronunciation for English speakers<p> There are a few very simple tricks to know how to pronounce most German words. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Mostly, all the letters are pronounced similarly to English, but switch out these:</h2><p>German "V" is said like an English "F"</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Viessmann" is said "Fiessman"</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> "Beethoven" is a said "Bait-ohfen"</p></blockquote><p>German "W" is said like an English "V"</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Wien" (Vienna) is said as "Veen" rhymes with "bean"</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Weiss" (white) is said like "vice" (Sadly, many Americans with that surname have lost track of how it is said!</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"> "Ludwig von Beethoven" is a said 'Lood-vig-fon-Bait-ohfen"</blockquote><p>German "J" is usually said like an English "Y"</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p>"Johanna" (female name) is said "Yo-hun-ah"</p></blockquote><p>German "ch" when <i>not at the start</i> of a word, is pronounced like an extended hissy 'g' at the back of the throat (ç). Make the sound of air coming out of a faucet instead of water!</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Bach" (stream) is said "Bagggg"</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Ich" (I = first person) is said "igggg"</p></blockquote><p>When "Ch" is at the start of a word, it is more like a "K" </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Christian"(male name) is said "Kristi-yan" </p></blockquote><p>German "Sch" is pronounced like "Sh", <b>don't</b> change the "c" into a "k" like American "Skedule", say it like UK English "Schedule"</p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"Schule" (school) is said "Shul-uh"</p></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">German "S" in the middle of a word is pronounced harder, like "Z"</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span> Eisen (steel) is said "eye-zen"</span> </p></blockquote><p>You may come across the "Eszett" = ß - it is simply a double "S" -> "ss"</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> Gruß (greeting) is said "grooss"</p></blockquote><p>"Th" is not like the English "the". Just switch in a "T"</p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Theadore - is said "Tea-a-door"</p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ending "e"</h2><p>English has a special rule that says that if there is an "e" at the end of the word, it is <i>silent </i>and instead, <i>modifies </i>the sound of the <i>vowel </i>in the word, but German does not have that rule, so say an ending "e" as "uh"/"e"</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>English: "cash" is said "kash"</p><p>English: "cache" is said "kaysh" (say the name of the vowel "a")</p><p>German: "Schule" (school) say the trailing "e": "Shul-uh"</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Vowels ie and ei together</h2><p>Many German words have these two vowels together and there is a very simple trick to get them right, by saying the 'English name of the second vowel'.</p><p>ie - say it as the name of the English letter "E" rhymes with "he"</p><p>ei - say it as the name of the English letter "I" rhymes with "eye"</p><p>Examples:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>St<b>ei</b>n (stone) - say St <eye> n (Rhymes with wine)</p><p>W<b>ei</b>n (wine) - say V <eye> n (Rhymes with wine)</p><p>W<b>ie</b>n (Vienna) - V "E" n (Rhymes with bean)</p><p><b>Ei</b>senbahn (railway) - Eye-zen-baan.</p><p><b>Ei</b>nst<b>ei</b>n (surname) - say "eye-n-st-eye-n" (most people get this name right, in fact <b>all </b>family names ending in "-stein" are pronounced like "-wine")</p><p>Sp<b>ie</b>l (play) is pronounced Schpeel</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Umlauts</h2><p>Umlauts are the two dots over some vowels, (called diaeresis). Just read an umlauted letter as if it was followed by an "e"...</p><p>Märklin -> M<b>ae</b>rklin "Mare-clean"</p><p>Möwe -> "M<b>oe</b>v-uh"</p><p>Über -> <b>Ue</b>ber</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Other help</h2><p><b>Nouns</b></p><p>All nouns in German are capitalized, not just special nouns.</p><p><b>Vowels</b></p><p>The <u>names</u> of vowels in German is very confusing for English speakers</p><p>"A" is called "ah"</p><p>"I" is called "E" "E wie Ida" (I as in Ida)</p><p>"E" is called "E" but sounds like "A" "E wie in Emil" (E as in Emil)</p><p>"O" is called "or"/"awe"</p><p>"Y" is called "Ypsilon" (Upsilon)</p><p><b>Spelling</b></p><p>When spelling a word, it is common to drop into the phonetic alphabet mostly made up from common names of people that are unambiguous, just write down the first letter of the stream or words....</p><p>Dora Anton Ludwig Emil = Dale</p><p>Schule Ulrich Ludwig Theodore Zeppelin = Schultz</p><p><br /></p>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-49738915806065457472021-03-04T22:29:00.003-05:002021-03-08T12:44:27.677-05:00Liliput 111 locomotive<p>I recently bought an old train set which included some Märklin items (ES 800, CM800, and 3024) and in addition to those, an old 3-rail Liliput tank locomotive and a Shell tanker.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJBS0JhWs9k/YEGhWDXK-zI/AAAAAAAFCmE/QeAfScJILJYrK-CDkv24VRVFCTlCExqFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s3056/IMG_20210302_182641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1797" data-original-width="3056" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJBS0JhWs9k/YEGhWDXK-zI/AAAAAAAFCmE/QeAfScJILJYrK-CDkv24VRVFCTlCExqFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h376/IMG_20210302_182641.jpg" width="640"></a></div><p><span></span></p><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2021/03/liliput-111-locomotive.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-59893602008889371272021-02-15T21:15:00.306-05:002022-03-20T17:54:51.536-04:00Cable ducts<p>Observe almost any railway track in Europe and you will likely notice a line of cement tiles running all along the track-bed. These are the covers of ducts that carry electrical cables used for running the railway.</p><p>I decided I would add some to my layout and set about creating some designs which could be printed on my 3D printer. The first question was, "How big are they?" I spent some hours browsing through the online product catalogs of European manufacturers who specialize in making the ducts and various trackside accessories for the rail industry. They come in almost every size imaginable!</p><p>I settled on making ducts 40cm wide, and designed them with gaps between the edges and covers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGAo1ekGig8/YCgKe7xV3NI/AAAAAAAFB34/Wp7kewjnDg8C2yUSbwHLfh2Fc3Sf4aU6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s364/3m.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="364" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGAo1ekGig8/YCgKe7xV3NI/AAAAAAAFB34/Wp7kewjnDg8C2yUSbwHLfh2Fc3Sf4aU6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3m.png" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><span></span><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2021/02/cable-ducts-Kabelkanal.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-68993413754399443812021-02-13T19:51:00.016-05:002022-03-20T17:55:21.898-04:003D printing for a model train layout<p>I watched the 3D printing technology progress from afar with great anticipation. In August 2020 I decided to take the plunge and see what I could do with the technology.</p><p>I decided to record my experiences as well as detail what the process involves in making something that is usable on the layout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNwYs6Uz68c/YCdAFNqK8YI/AAAAAAAFB2g/0bYy1hclhZ89etHyZW8RzWcK5znkQHz6gCPcBGAYYCw/s4032/IMG_20210212_210251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sample items printed with 3D printer" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNwYs6Uz68c/YCdAFNqK8YI/AAAAAAAFB2g/0bYy1hclhZ89etHyZW8RzWcK5znkQHz6gCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/IMG_20210212_210251.jpg" title="Distance markers printed with my 3D printer" width="640"></a></div><div><br></div><p><span></span></p><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2021/02/3d-printing-for-model-train-layout.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-85211265322310207262021-02-02T23:01:00.011-05:002022-03-20T17:55:51.815-04:00Distance marker stones<p>A few years ago I added modern <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2016/11/distances-markers.html">distance marker signs</a> around the layout. I decided I also wanted to have the old style cement markers that can usually be found along most German train tracks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNdzJUtqCPI/YBoG3qLMLpI/AAAAAAAFBM0/SzBlBPOJodY2ynKfAxXEQb3ku4GQlgALQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2182/84.1-Vr0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1683" data-original-width="2182" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNdzJUtqCPI/YBoG3qLMLpI/AAAAAAAFBM0/SzBlBPOJodY2ynKfAxXEQb3ku4GQlgALQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/84.1-Vr0.jpg" width="640"></a></div><span></span><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2021/02/distance-markers.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-39776111964938861742021-01-09T19:09:00.019-05:002022-03-20T17:56:11.982-04:00Indusi magnetsI decided to add some Indusi magnets to my layout. You may ask, what an Indusi magnet is... Well it is not so much a magnet, it is resonance transformer that is located next to the rails of most German train tracks. When activated, these units, reduce the magnetism of a corresponding unit on a passing train, and that in turn triggers a signal in the train that can influence the speed of the train.<div><br></div><div><div>Typically these placed ahead of, and at main signals. They are also placed near level crossings. There are three frequencies used, and each frequency indicates a different type of speed check.</div><div><br></div><div>The first one encountered is usually at the distance signal, a 1000Hz signal tells the train driver that a main signal is being approached. A tone sounds, and the driver must press a button to acknowledge the warning within 4 seconds. If not, the train is slowed.</div><div><br></div><div>Then, about 250m before the main signal, a 500Hz Indusi will trigger a speed check of the train to ensure that it has slowed sufficiently in order to stop at the main signal.</div><div><br></div><div>The third one, at 2000Hz, is placed at the main signal. If this one is active when a train passes, then the train is stopped automatically.</div><div><br></div><div>This is what they look like, and the top is usually painted yellow:</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9K9ZgRqRNQ/X_pDEtAO3-I/AAAAAAAFAFE/S_yHEOMBDdkasbByEhgFXXr6wg42c6AeACLcBGAsYHQ/s707/Indusi-Prototype.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Indusi mage from Wikipedia" border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="707" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9K9ZgRqRNQ/X_pDEtAO3-I/AAAAAAAFAFE/S_yHEOMBDdkasbByEhgFXXr6wg42c6AeACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h335/Indusi-Prototype.jpg" width="640"></a></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punktf%C3%B6rmige_Zugbeeinflussung#/media/File:Indusi-Gleismagnet.JPG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Indusi prototype image</a> by WHell reproduced under <a class="mw-mmv-license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: right; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></span><br><span></span></div></div><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2021/01/indusi-magnets.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-42627970743864564962020-11-17T12:14:00.005-05:002022-03-20T17:56:32.768-04:00Whole train lighting<p>Seeing an illuminated model passenger train at night is a magical experience. Installing lights makes the trains seem more alive and presents a project within the building and operating of a layout.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv-oQymzIuY/X7GrGertdpI/AAAAAAAE-Ng/7r20Nvxn-joLQ3HDYoM6B_L4VCntN0t0wCPcBGAYYCw/s4032/TrainWithLEDLights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="model train illuminated at night" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv-oQymzIuY/X7GrGertdpI/AAAAAAAE-Ng/7r20Nvxn-joLQ3HDYoM6B_L4VCntN0t0wCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h480/TrainWithLEDLights.jpg" title="model train illuminated at night" width="640" /></a></div><p>There are many, many ways to illuminate passenger coaches. Some methods are more expensive than others, some are easier to install than others and one can find advantages and disadvantages of every approach.</p><p>Each approach is a combination of a number of factors:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lighting technology: Incandescent/LED</li><li>Battery or track power</li><ul><li>One, or multiple, power pickup shoes for the train</li><li>Full rectification of half wave rectification</li><li>Approach used for anti-flicker</li></ul><li>Permanently coupled rakes or current conducting couplers</li><li>Off-the-shelf solution or DIY</li><li>etc</li></ul><div>I have about 40 passenger cars that I wish to illuminate. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Unless one is aiming for a classic toy era style, LED lighting is clearly a no-brainer.</li><li>The high costs of current conducting couplers rules them out for me</li><li>Multiple pickup shoes create too much drag on long trains (and they are not cheap either)</li></ul></div><div>I decided to use the following approach for my first train:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>LED utilizing cheap 12V LED strips.</li><li>Track power to be used</li><li>Single power pickup shoe per train</li><li>Permanently wired conductors run the length of the train</li><li>Full rectification of digital track power</li><li>Capacitor for anti-flicker</li><li>Inrush current limiting</li><li>DC-DC converter used to set brightness</li><li>Twin wires run along the length of the train to each coach</li></ol></div><div>The approach is very economical but of course the biggest problem with a whole train permanently wired together is how to service an entire train, getting it on and off the layout can be tricky. I have solved that problem with a whole train cradle (which will be the subject of another post).</div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Steps to install whole train lighting</h1><div>I have now completed an entire train and I report the steps I used to add the lighting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The circuit I used is described in a lot of detail in the page<a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2019/10/modelling-with-leds.html"> Modelling with LEDs</a>, particularly in the section on lighting passenger cars.</div><div><br /></div><div>The train I happened to pick turned out to be rather tricky because the design of the Märklin coaches does not make installation of any type of lighting very easy. The metal weight in the floor of the coaches is used to hold the close coupler guide mechanisms in place, as well as transmit current to the next coupler. The chassis, weight, both couplers, seats and body of the coaches all have to be assembled in a single step and it is rather tricky to get all six components to be properly aligned at the same time, and that is before we start adding wires and lights. Things did get a bit better once I had completed a few though.</div><div><br /></div>The train I selected was made of the more modern models of the Donnerbüchsen such as item 4313, 4314 with goods wagon 4315.<div><br /></div><div>The logical place to start is in the goods wagon as it has space for the rectifier and capacitor. The goods wagon already had some tail lights and a pickup shoe. I used a 2200uF capacitor and added an inrush resistor (1K Ohm), and a 1N4001 diode in parallel to the resistor.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZkJ03XnpQ/X7PratjeqUI/AAAAAAAE-Z4/GIGAxAtGAlcjr1LOMYIYQ8jWSklqHHo9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1527/IMG_20201106_173529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1527" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EZkJ03XnpQ/X7PratjeqUI/AAAAAAAE-Z4/GIGAxAtGAlcjr1LOMYIYQ8jWSklqHHo9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h310/IMG_20201106_173529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>To that I connected a DROK DC-DC converter that powers the strips in the train and the tail lights. I placed it opposite one of the sliding doors such that I can easily access the voltage adjustment screw through the door. I added an additional resistor to the tail light circuit to reduce their brightness.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--74oolkxRpo/X7PrKcQgy4I/AAAAAAAE-Zw/qNi_WUXBUP09yI-Oex5MWS_AYTvmXV7dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2767/IMG_20201107_092017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="2767" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--74oolkxRpo/X7PrKcQgy4I/AAAAAAAE-Zw/qNi_WUXBUP09yI-Oex5MWS_AYTvmXV7dwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/IMG_20201107_092017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Since I was not going to use current conducting couplers, I needed to find where I could pass the wires into each coach. After checking the limits of the coupler mechanism movement, I decided to drill small holes next to the brake pads. For the passenger coaches the holes had to be drilled at a slight angle so that the hole comes up through the end seat.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuQw3GEnliQ/X7PpQqzARkI/AAAAAAAE-Zc/0CA2zhuWlHwMM_OmsDRZuL8aA0UkUqC-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1558/IMG_20201110_205741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1558" height="363" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuQw3GEnliQ/X7PpQqzARkI/AAAAAAAE-Zc/0CA2zhuWlHwMM_OmsDRZuL8aA0UkUqC-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h363/IMG_20201110_205741.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Once the 4 holes were drilled I opened the coach up and removed all drilling remnants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42mFuom9JSY/X7Pwne2uYhI/AAAAAAAE-ak/IBdzkjXDn54eQ23Fv8T8M95Jz2XAU1nHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1473/IMG_20201112_092101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1473" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42mFuom9JSY/X7Pwne2uYhI/AAAAAAAE-ak/IBdzkjXDn54eQ23Fv8T8M95Jz2XAU1nHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h294/IMG_20201112_092101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Initially I ran the wires out of one coach and ran them parallel to each other into the next like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EDRQ7d6Tic/X7Ps2Ebe0hI/AAAAAAAE-aE/YQy6pKTgcagYQfQP88o7PbxXTEIx1Z0pwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1958/IMG_20201107_124519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1958" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EDRQ7d6Tic/X7Ps2Ebe0hI/AAAAAAAE-aE/YQy6pKTgcagYQfQP88o7PbxXTEIx1Z0pwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h370/IMG_20201107_124519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I soon found however that the wires can hang too low so I realised I needed to run them up and over the coupling like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVqH0Xr3wWU/X7PtSd4Z0KI/AAAAAAAE-aM/PLrKcXkm_0otutOYb5UrcCl8jISjQgb-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1730/IMG_20201107_221227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1730" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVqH0Xr3wWU/X7PtSd4Z0KI/AAAAAAAE-aM/PLrKcXkm_0otutOYb5UrcCl8jISjQgb-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h390/IMG_20201107_221227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I then decided that since I was permanently coupling the train together, I may as well use permanent couplers. Having just recently got a 3D printer working, I designed and printed some couplers and replaced each pair of close couplers with my ones.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndlb0KIo-1U/X7PuLSj21II/AAAAAAAE-aU/BvadLndi_QI4x0FY0oCC_YJEhaoFldZAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2035/IMG_20201115_145058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="2035" height="382" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndlb0KIo-1U/X7PuLSj21II/AAAAAAAE-aU/BvadLndi_QI4x0FY0oCC_YJEhaoFldZAACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h382/IMG_20201115_145058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>(At the time I did not have any black resin so I used clear resin instead.) <br /><div><br /><div>I was using 30 AWG wires that are very flexible but were rather thicker than they need be. Here you can see how the wires have to come up through the end seats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpFWki6UUeE/X7PxSlLSvPI/AAAAAAAE-as/_pOnAneVT-QkYEUy35F5pwkpwSt7TdwDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2005/IMG_20201110_211121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2005" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpFWki6UUeE/X7PxSlLSvPI/AAAAAAAE-as/_pOnAneVT-QkYEUy35F5pwkpwSt7TdwDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/IMG_20201110_211121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I glued in some cheap, seated passengers, and simply soldered the wires onto 10cm of strip.The brass weight held the strip while I soldered onto it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16R-P3ZrgKw/X7Px0AjJeCI/AAAAAAAE-a0/JfBUVW2HOPYYYk03DC7Bgf0UqVHbzXQbACLcBGAsYHQ/s3176/IMG_20201110_212455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2624" data-original-width="3176" height="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16R-P3ZrgKw/X7Px0AjJeCI/AAAAAAAE-a0/JfBUVW2HOPYYYk03DC7Bgf0UqVHbzXQbACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h528/IMG_20201110_212455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Since both wires are black and I had to keep track of which was positive, I ensured that I always stripped the end of the positive lead. Only once it was soldered to the positive side of the next LED strip did I strip the negative wire.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDyVuSUyYZs/X7Pyxn02h2I/AAAAAAAE-a8/SUy0R-_mn-QW1FSwCefXOkZLqwJCrQyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s716/IMG_20201110_212620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="716" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDyVuSUyYZs/X7Pyxn02h2I/AAAAAAAE-a8/SUy0R-_mn-QW1FSwCefXOkZLqwJCrQyjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20201110_212620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>On the underside of the roof of each coach is a sprue from the manufacturing process which I cut off so that the LED strip could be mounted through the middle of the car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNvFeAI-MVc/X7PzKO2jncI/AAAAAAAE-bE/jIiauUk6DxkefmaFVF9SIWXZd0MajuN0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2916/IMG_20201110_212812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="2916" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNvFeAI-MVc/X7PzKO2jncI/AAAAAAAE-bE/jIiauUk6DxkefmaFVF9SIWXZd0MajuN0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/IMG_20201110_212812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Since the peel off backing of the LED strips are completely unreliable, I attached the LED strips to the rooves using 3M VHB double sided tape. The columns used for fastening the shell onto the chassis are less than 10cm apart so the LED strips had to be placed diagonally.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8at89LqvpE/X7Pz7q32oZI/AAAAAAAE-bQ/htVww6-HAiQjFMCQUHNQSYkBU3NJ2kj4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s3558/IMG_20201110_213059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="3558" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8at89LqvpE/X7Pz7q32oZI/AAAAAAAE-bQ/htVww6-HAiQjFMCQUHNQSYkBU3NJ2kj4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h386/IMG_20201110_213059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Once the whole train was done and placed back on the layout, I was able to set the brightness of the lights using the adjuster on the DC-DC converter.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7FDwslDAnM/X7P0wUn-6FI/AAAAAAAE-bo/hNZtzn2BEoIuPAEovKsxDYXOQcbhp9LZACLcBGAsYHQ/s3224/IMG_20201115_163758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="3224" height="530" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7FDwslDAnM/X7P0wUn-6FI/AAAAAAAE-bo/hNZtzn2BEoIuPAEovKsxDYXOQcbhp9LZACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h530/IMG_20201115_163758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The capacitor keeps the train illuminated for a couple of seconds after losing power. It is certainly adequate for momentary power interruptions. The DC-DC converter keeps them at a constant brightness. I will also try a train that uses a resistor instead of the DC-DC converter to see if a slow dimming is preferable.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AT8rFzJTG54/X7QE5WckGKI/AAAAAAAE-cA/lgSLKgs7avQ9rDNIhFHkfbaY79AeYvrlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_20201115_163639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AT8rFzJTG54/X7QE5WckGKI/AAAAAAAE-cA/lgSLKgs7avQ9rDNIhFHkfbaY79AeYvrlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201115_163639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p></div></div></div>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3010833722707818547.post-10014947188852766992020-11-13T12:30:00.027-05:002024-03-27T09:50:53.247-04:00Modelling with LEDs <p>Modern modeling uses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) extensively. This is because they offer numerous advantages over older technology, such as incandescent 💡 light bulbs:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>They are small</li><li>They are cheap</li><li>They are long lasting</li><li>They use very little current</li><li>They do not get hot</li><li>They are available in many colors (including 'warm' and 'cool' white)<br></li></ul>Unless you are trying to reproduce models as they were in days gone by, you are going to be using LEDs on your models. They are not difficult to use but one does need to learn a few simple rules to use them.<div><br></div><div>The aim of this page is to explain the theoretical side of what is needed to power LEDs, how to connect them and even how to produce good results in moving model trains. I will be starting off with some very fundamental principles and building up to powering LED strips from digital power. The actual installation of lights inside building is covered <a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2024/03/using-leds-in-buildings.html">here</a>, this is about what has to be installed.</div><div><br><h1 style="text-align: left;">LED packages</h1>LEDs come in a variety of different forms and sizes (called packages in the electronics industry).<div><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Through-hole</h4><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Typically round 2mm, 3mm, 4mm or 5mm. Rectangular and other shapes are also available.</p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLSt7r5d_3o/X58WlwzFYMI/AAAAAAAE8pM/NR2WKQdy_8Ag78RdS2rSrW2-NKI-MUBggCLcBGAsYHQ/s864/through-hole-led.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3mm & 5MM LEDs" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="524" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLSt7r5d_3o/X58WlwzFYMI/AAAAAAAE8pM/NR2WKQdy_8Ag78RdS2rSrW2-NKI-MUBggCLcBGAsYHQ/w242-h400/through-hole-led.png" title="3mm & 5MM LEDs" width="242"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3mm & 5mm LEDs</div><br><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Surface mount (SMT)</h4><div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">These are even smaller than the through-hole packages and are usually soldered directly to circuit boards by machines. One can now also buy them with tiny wires already attached and these are ideal for model building.</div></blockquote></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;">The different sizes are expressed using a 4 digit code that is made up from the length and width of the LED in<b> tenths of a millimeter</b>. For example a 2835 is 2.8 mm by 3.5mm. 5050 is 5mm x 5mm. Note, however, that some LED sizes are expressed in t<b>housandths of an inch</b> instead, so a 0402 SMD LED is is 1mm x 0.5mm. It is so small, it represents an object 87mm x 43mm in HO scale! - smaller than a lightbulb.</p></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuhqmclKjiI/X58W4OYaVaI/AAAAAAAE8pU/c4PRAJJx7Mk3Uvutsn5UthvivcVqYiN1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s336/0204-smt-led.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="0402 LED" border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="272" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuhqmclKjiI/X58W4OYaVaI/AAAAAAAE8pU/c4PRAJJx7Mk3Uvutsn5UthvivcVqYiN1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w258-h320/0204-smt-led.png" title="0402 LED" width="258"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An 0402 SMT LED with wires.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Strips</h4><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">White LEDs are also commonly found in long, flexible strips up to 5m (16') long. These are made using surface mount LEDs. They are pre wired and ready for use with 12V (sometimes 24V). One can cut them to small lengths, typically 5cm long. These are ideal for passenger car and station lighting. They often use 5050 or 3528 sized LEDs. They are available in various colors, including warm, and cool white.</p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6gMjAju8Us/X58XDgFSnCI/AAAAAAAE8pc/hkrZjx17doc3dvvIaImp5jKgCsLQKJAHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1551/LED_Strip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="LED strip" border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1551" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6gMjAju8Us/X58XDgFSnCI/AAAAAAAE8pc/hkrZjx17doc3dvvIaImp5jKgCsLQKJAHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h246/LED_Strip.jpg" title="LED strip" width="640"></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">These strips come with a crummy adhesive backing that will not stick for long, and so should be ignored. They need to be attached with a quality double sided tape such as 3M VHB tape.</p></blockquote><h4 style="text-align: left;">Multicolor neopixel etc.</h4><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">There are components that comprise 3 (R,G, B) or 4 (RGB+W) LEDs which allows the color of <i>individual </i>LEDs in a string to be digitally controlled independently. These fall out of scope of these fundamental concepts.</p></blockquote><p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Electricity fundamentals</h1><p>In order to understand how to connect LEDs up we do need some very fundamental understanding of electricity. Specifically we need to know a little bit about voltage, current and resistance. It may aid the understanding of these concepts by thinking of electricity rather like water in a pipe. For this analogy:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Voltage (V) - think of the Voltage as the pressure/speed of the water in the pipe. Measured in Volts</li><li>Current (I) - think of the Amperage as the diameter of the pipe. Measured in Amperes (Amps, A or mA. 1A = 1000mA) </li><li>Resistance (R) - think of resistance as obstructions to the flow of water in the pipe, such as blockages or mesh grates that slow the water down. Measured in Ohms (Ω)</li></ul><p></p><p>These three things have a simple relationship between them: V = I x R (Ohm's Law) and this formula is used to calculate things in all circuits, but fear not, most of the calculations have all been done already.</p><p>Just like a pipe, where water can travel in both directions, so can electricity flow in either direction along a wire. If the pressure is higher at one end, water will flow to the other end. If the voltage is higher at one end of a wire, electricity will flow to the other end of the wire, so long as it can get out.</p><p>Like pipes, larger amounts of current (Amperes) need thicker wires.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Series and parallel</h4><div>We will talk about connecting things in parallel or series, let's just make certain the difference is clear.</div><div><br></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xL5JVcCS-8g/X6Gu52cHR4I/AAAAAAAE8wM/nAadyrmUTfAmjojcenMrsLJtFFDYw-AWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s397/series.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Series connection of two lights" border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="252" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xL5JVcCS-8g/X6Gu52cHR4I/AAAAAAAE8wM/nAadyrmUTfAmjojcenMrsLJtFFDYw-AWwCLcBGAsYHQ/w254-h400/series.png" title="Series connection" width="254"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Series connection<br></td></tr></tbody></table><br></div><span></span><a href="https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2019/10/modelling-with-leds.html#more">Read more »</a>Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118238226723881637noreply@blogger.com