DCC Test Track Tweaks
When I started using the PiSprog and JMRI I realised that I needed to be able to isolate a loco for programming because the PiSprog does not have separate main and programming track outputs.
It became obvious that I would need some section switching and since the storage sidings were not yet properly powered, relying on power switching from the electrofrog points alone, I decided to generally improve the electrics.
After inserting isolating joiners where needed and gluing down the siding tracks, I soldered lots of new droppers and then dismantled the layout so I could get to work on the main board.
A simple switch panel was made from an aluminium door "finger plate" from B&Q.
LED's with suitably sized resistors were soldered across the DCC outputs of the switches to give some more visual feedback of the powered areas. (Do these count as DCC "Districts"?)
This was mounted behind a hole cut into the side wall of the baseboard.
The PiSprog was mounted into a customised case and fixed to the underside of the board.
All wired up and the layout boards re-assembled:
You can see that I've attached the monitor to the board on a swing arm, added some LED lights, protected the switches from accidental knocks and made a cassette for turning locos. The cassette will probably also be used as the programming track.
Mounting the PiSprog under the board keeps things tidy but as I discovered this morning plugging cables into it is a bit of a pain. Maybe needs some more thought.
So hopefully now I can really get to grips with the software and CVs.
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