Continues with the development of an analog Pentroller type.
This blog brings to an end the development of an analog Pentroller type controller with a couple of versions that have turned out rather well. The blog also includes a shuttle circuit that is designed to be used in combination with the controller in a future fun type layout with automatic trains, automated chimney sweep brushes, people waving, light flashing and whatever else that springs to mind. So, while browsing the r
An investigation into Stewart Hines Pentroller.
This blog investigates Stuart Hines Pentroller and presents a layout of the board, identifies components, includes schematics and presents various oscilloscope captures of the pulse width modulation and timimg pulses in an effort to understand the function of the design. Last night, I was a pleasantly surprised to receive a telephone call from Stuart, granting permission for details of Pentroller to be presented in this blog, howeve
Using a laser printer to create printed circuit boards ?.
Stumbled across the method of using a laser printer to create printed circuit boards on the internet and thought I'd present my experiences with this method as a blog. Not having the appropriate software for creating circuit board artworks, I actually photographed the trackside of a now discontinued controller from the 1990's, made a few alterations, coloured the track in black, mirrored the artwork and then printed nine co
Servo Mod Point Motor.
Following on from my previous episode with radio controlled servos as point motors, it did eventually dawn on me that there might be a way of using servo's without the electronic drive and sensing circuitry. A stripped down servo is made up of three main components :-
5volt dc motor.
Precision spur gear box.
Small PCB with electronics and sensor.
By discarding the electronics and sensor, it should then be possible to utilise b
Servo Point Motors, yet another Snitzl Failure.
Here's my short interlude with servos as point motors.
Found a simple circuit on the internet and did a little research on servos and within days I was able to flick a switch and watch a servo move from one position to another, and whats more, the positions were adjustable. I know that there are control circuits available commercially, but I had to do this myself, using analog as apposed to digital. Re-wired what was neces
Constructing the Controller and Power Supplies for Snitzl Town.
The Snitzl control panel, controllers and power supplies are combined into a single unit with interconnections made at the rear. The case for each unit being made by laminating multiple sheets of black and white styrene sheet. The units are then mounted inside a wooden frame which is protected on the corners by aluminium extrusion.
Snitzl.
Construction for Snitzl - Control Panel
The Control Panel front for Snitzl is made from 2mm polycarbonate, trade name Lexan. This material is extremely tough and is used for bullet proofing armoured vehicles and tanks, its also really nice to machine, drill file etc. Cab Control, which dates back to the early 50's is the method used on Snitzl and is explained in many books. Connections are made by two D sockets mounted at the end of each board and looped through a tag strip with all
Designing a point motor for Snitzl.
To start with, I looked through all my early magazines for idea's on point motors and came across an article from Sep 76 Model Railway titled 'A Revolutionary Point Motor ' by John Popkin. The snitzl design was to be a development of that design, but combined a sliding mechanism and point motor into one unit.
The design looked so straight forward that I went ahead and made enough components for twenty units. Some of the components ie w
