[orion211]

Has anyone ever made a train that runs when someone rings the doorbell? I want to make one that would run around the room, suspended just below the ceiling. My grandson was telling me about one he saw in a movie and said we need to make one.

Thanks for your input

 

[Severn]

not sure there's a doorbell ring in this ... but kinda close.

doesn't really answer the question of how to do -- but throw a relay to turn on power i guess when power goes to the doorbell.

 

[Fire21]

I would think a sound-activated switch would work. You could then have it on a timer to shut off automatically, or manually do it yourself. Or as Severn says, a simple relay to the doorbell itself would work also.

Just thought about it...a sound controlled one would be turning on and off all day long, depending on the sound! Could get old after awhile! :laugh:

 

[Old_Hobo]

Clap on.....clap off....

 

[Fire21]

Clap on.....clap off....

Yeah, I thought of the clapper too, but that responds to clapping, not the doorbell.

 

[Panther]

Alexi, when the doorbell rings start the train, and bring me my coffee.

Dan

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I'd just wire it to the doorbell.

I needed a remote doorbell that rings when my front door is rung. I just put a little Chinese transmitter in the doorbell and a relay receiver that rings chimes in my shop when someone is at the door. Obviously, once I get a relay closure, I can automate pretty much anything from there.

 

[CTValleyRR]

Has anyone ever made a train that runs when someone rings the doorbell? I want to make one that would run around the room, suspended just below the ceiling. My grandson was telling me about one he saw in a movie and said we need to make one.

Thanks for your input

Well, as you probably know, Hollywood has lots of ways to make things look like they're happening when they really aren't. A classic example of this is the automatic doors in the original Star Trek series. They weren't automatic at all -- there were a couple of crew members behind the walls pulling them open and shut.

You COULD do it, of course, but I'm not sure the time and expense would be worth it. I assume that the purpose of this system is to announce that there is someone at the door by delivering a message via miniature rail.

The easiest way technically would be with a ZWave (or equivalent) home automation system. Install the doorbell, set up an outlet to turn on when the doorbell button is pushed.

My home automation works the same way, except that the lamp plugged in in the front hall comes on, not a train controller.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

$10 in eBay parts didn't sound expensive to me, where is the expense? You don't need to install home automation to do a simple task like this.

 

[Lee Willis]

$10 in eBay parts didn't sound expensive to me, where is the expense? You don't need to install home automation to do a simple task like this.

Yes, a door-bell button, a relay or two, and some wire, and the "automation" is all done.

 

[Severn]

here's one example that turns on a light. which seems like if you substitute an AC model train transformer for the light, you get to a desired result at least in "analog mode".

https://www.instructables.com/id/Doorbell-that-Turns-on-a-Light/

 

[CTValleyRR]

$10 in eBay parts didn't sound expensive to me, where is the expense? You don't need to install home automation to do a simple task like this.

The $10 you spend. Any money spent is an expense. No, you don't need home automation, but if you already have the hub, it costs $12 for the plug controller and about 2 minutes to set up and program, and the most effort you spend is getting the darned plug out of the clamshell packaging; actual installation requires plugging it in. Beats fiddling with wires, buttons and relays, especially if you don't want those wires draped all over your house.

Would I install home automation just for this? Of course not. But if it's something you already have or are considering purchasing anyway, then it's the simplest way.