I have removed the last DC controller from my layout which was supplying power to the switches which drive the turnout switch machines (The old school device).
What are my options to provide power to my turnouts while I make the conversion to a more DCC friendly turnout solution?
Flyboy, you might consider a stationary decoder like a Digitrax DS64 to control stall motors for turnouts (or twin coil) if you want to have DCC control of the turnout.
Right now I dont run the layout enough to worry about it. (I have probably ran the layout 7 or 8 hrs this year in total) And everything is plugged into a server grade APC battery backup to keep clean power going to the layout.
I thought these looked rather slick and I liked the big lever throw device. I do not own any and they are out the UK. I have no idea if they are easy to get here or any good.
I was actually gonna try to make my own. I have the parts -- I bought some very tiny DC motors and have some arduinos sitting around. (as I already built DCC++ and use the jrmi software.) I even have the discrete parts for a DCC decoder project I found online.
I was actually gonna try to make my own. I have the parts -- I bought some very tiny DC motors and have some arduinos sitting around. (as I already built DCC++ and use the jrmi software.) I even have the discrete parts for a DCC decoder project I found online.
I don't know what's optimal. I got the servos as they were small and cheap. I have some other ideas too but they are half screw ball. first one is battery power. i hate running wires. then second is RF control. although i admit i'm now confused as where the DCC commands come from for switches. Given that I can imagine just using track power -- 5v smoothed out to the arduino and servo -- and then PWM track power goes to the homebrew DCC decoder -- which the arduino checks for actuation or maybe gets an interrupt. but then you have to run wires. why bother with all that!
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