I finished making the 3 block detection units so I can now have 24 separate blocks and use current sensing to feed a signal to JMRI. The first was a bit daunting but it turned out fine and I had some fun doing it. From a cost perspective it has to be the cheapest way to do block detection and I would recommend it to anyone who has burn cream and wants to learn to use a soldering iron.
Now I’m stuck, staring into space. Ella Varner once said, “I'm a big believer in putting things o
As expected I did manage to touch the soldering iron to one of my fingers, however, there is no lasting damage and no hurty cream was required. Once I got used to the VERY tiny components and the proper soldering method it was straightforward.
The MERG kits have excellent instructions and even a hints and tips page was included with recommendations on additional tools that may be of use…so I have been on the Internet shopping again!
Once the kit was complete I tested usi
I want to use block detection so I can automate trains running on the layout but the cost of block detection from off the shelf suppliers is not cheap. I watched Rob from Little Wicket on YouTube and he talked about MERG and the cost of kits that can be ordered and self built.
Well, the Royal Navy supposedly trained me in electronics…a very long time ago; I’m about to find out if any of that knowledge is still rattling around in my head. I still remember how to drink too much and
The basic framework is complete and the big tools are now tucked up in bed. I moved a desk from the office out to the workshop and began opening boxes that contain my Dremel tools. Why did my wife let me buy all this stuff?, it's not my fault, I'm addicted. I obviously needed them at some stage or maybe they were offered at a special price...anyway she has lots of shoes. I also have lots of bits and pieces in a couple of racks that i just KNOW are useful but can't remember why.
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Painting of the scenic break. When we moved to this house a year ago there was, like most of the houses i've moved in to, a collection of paints that the previous owners had left in case colour matching was required. i grabbed the first can that said 'three in one' and on opening was suprised it was a perfect sky blue, lucky for me. Some filling and sanding and three coats later. I just know that my wife is going to say at some point "well if you can do that then you can now paint the laundr
The electrics begin to go in. i want to be able to plug the table in and so an extension lead was fitted. i wanted power at the desk and a USB to connect to the Arduino. I also fitted an isolation switch so I can use the desk power and not have the layout powered up. the Main DCC bus cables are not installed as are the 3v and 5v circuits. These circuits will all be running to various terminal blocks to allow easy access.
Time to put the table top on and following some detailed
I'm lucky. I have a reasonable tool set, lots of Ryobi power tools and other rapidly spinning death machines. After a bit of thought i framed the base and added some castor wheels. I have now decided i need to add more castors, you'll see why later. Once the super sized skateboard was complete (yes, i did scoot around the garage a bit, silly fool i am) i sat back to enjoy some smugness and then planned the height of the finished table so i could cut lots of timber and make some frames.
I had my first layout a few years ago but a house move meant it had to go. I decided to keep the loco's and carriages but the rest was given away...oh how i regret that hasty decision today. Plug and play lighting, power supplies, buildings, figures, 100's of trees, scenic sounds etc etc etc
I retired recently and have a bucket list, sitting near the top, just after 'Get some bees' is build another layout, written next to it is 'But this time plan properly and don't just go buying
