So for the last few days I have been working on the electronics and wiring under baseboard 1 (the one with scenery on it). I have a small setback in that out of three MERG CBUS CANSOLs only one is correctly working. I have identified a problem with the MIC4426YN PICs which keep burning out which has led me to believe that this a bad batch, I think someone else in MERG has been having the same problem. So waiting for a few PICs to turn up in the post which hopefully will sort this out.

I have a CANPAN, CANSOL and a CANUSB all installed and programmed and working on the main layout.

I have another CANSOL wired up but this has the PIC problem and the third one is still on the test rig with the same issues.

I am working on the main wiring bus to get it over to baseboard 3. Baseboard 2 has limited operations on it and will only consist of about 8 pieces of track.

My bus consists of CANL, CANH, 0v, 12v for CBUS, 2wires Analog rear track, 2wires Analog Front track, 2wires DCC power bus. I could combine the CBUS with the DCC bus but I am not up to that stage yet so I am keeping them separate. Ive run out of colours so I have a few more coming in the post. Im using terminal blocks, the sort that push into one another to make the connections between the baseboards.

Last night was extending the analog power bus from the baseboard ‘plank’ across baseboard 1 and reconnecting the controller.

Also – following gaining a professional qualification I have treated myself to a Class 45 Peak that I got secondhand from Signals in Midsomer Norton. Good shop that one. Well pleased with my new engine, currently it’s on the analog track but I think it might have a dcc socket in it.

Also Baseboard 4 is now installed and at correct level. This is the one where mimic / control panel is going to be attached to.

Had an idea to use a CANPAN / CANACC8 to power up the relays for changing turning the power on / off for the sections on the analog layout. I need to test this theory out though, would cut down on a lot of wiring. Makes sense since I only need 2 outputs and the rest of the CANACC8 can be used to power up lights etc.

The next plan is to lay out the track (drawn up in AutoCAD) and then work out where the wiring has to go. Then I will do the wiring for boards 3 and 4 by removing them and working on the side (much better than underneath) and get most of the main wiring in before replacing the board modules and laying the track. Also lay the track for baseboard 2 which consists of curves only.

I have to figure out from brian lamberts page how to wire up a insulfrog double and single slip, I hope that the code 100 ones work with DCC.