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ColinM

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  1. Ray, Have you considered using PCA9685 boards to drive the servos? Each board can drive 16 servos and need a 5v. supply for the servo power. The Arduino sends commandS over I2C hence only three wires to connect on a small umbilical from your panel. The PCA9685 boards can be distributed around the layout with varying length servo cables to the relevant positions. The Arduino will need to send the relevant command to control the sweep of the servo and this may need to be programmable in the first instance. There are numerous examples on YouTube on how to set these boards up. it would also be possible to have an Arduino in the control panel monitoring the levers, sending commands to an under baseboard Arduino which drives the servo boards. In this way you could segment the logic into two section to make it simpler. Regards, Colin.
  2. Hi Ray, it's good to see you back with a record of your exploits. I always found your previous threads enjoyable. I have developed a large traverser which works in similar manner. Mine is for 4mm but is 5' 4” long, run by two similar lead screws and carries 10 tracks - the length being sufficient for a tender loco and 5 coaches around my layout. The arduino software is a development of that you produced in your DCC turntable thread, although I do not use DCC. Originally it was controlled by a push button screen using a TFT LCD display on a UNO. Due to the lack of pins with the TFT shield, this was connected via I2C to a NANO which actually controlled the stepper motors. This all worked really happily. If you are interested I could share the code with you - although as I said, the code was developed from your original turntable. For some odd reason, I did not like selecting the tracks from the TFT screen, so I recently re-engineered things. I now have a Mega 2560 pro driving a TFT screen, and connected to a rotary encoder. Turning the rotary encoder displays selected track on the screen and pressing the encoder knob starts the steppers running. if you or anyone else is interested in either of these options, I could start a new thread to describe it, or post into SimonD's topic Arduino Applications and Programs. Regards, Colin.
  3. The kits that you reference look like an excellent choice to get started. They all have a good selection of accessories to play with. That is exactly how I got started. Don’t forget that there are many excellent videos available on YouTube aimed at both beginners and more advanced users. In particular I would recommend the series produced by Ralph Bacon. He aims his particularly at beginners and I found them very useful. To start with go back to his earlier productions (he now has over 200 to choose from). Regards, ColinM.
  4. I tried to make it from Penperlleni (near Pontypool) but despite trying three different routes I eventually had to turn back as all were affected by an overflowing river Usk. I could have gone via Newport I suppose but didn’t have time for the long diversion. I'm glad to hear the show was still well attended despite the weather. Perhaps I will make it next year. Colin.
  5. Simon, Thanks for the response. Yes I have been following your Arduino thread. I'll have a look back at your posts regarding the turntable and maybe posts any comments in there. I also now recall that I was also influenced by some of the postings by CambrianCoaster on this thread. Regards, Colin.
  6. I have been following this thread for a couple of years and it is good to see some new activity, and that Ray is still following and answering queries. I have been developing my own version of this using a scratch built turntable deck but as I use analogue control for the layout, I have built a system using a series of push buttons for the landing positions. This is based on Ray's original sketch with the DCC commands removed and positions defined for each push button. Does anyone know if there is a non DCC version of this thread that would cover this alternative? I would like to once again thank Ray for starting this thread and publishing his code which has been invaluable. Regards, Colin.
  7. Well, the MreMag team did put in an appearance at Warley today. There were two people manning the stand (didn't manage to get their names) and Simon Kohler was in attendance (but not manning the stand). They had a large screen display showing the first issue of the new format bi-monthly magazine, and were handing out slips quoting the start date of January for the replacement forum (designed to replace "having your say". Apparently they have had a lot of positive comments on the new eMagazine which echoes what has been said on this forum. I also managed to catch up with Phil Parker on the BRM stand and pass on my personal thanks for his efforts over the time he had edited MreMag. I think he had been pleased with all the kind comments he has received. Colin M.
  8. I note that the MreMag team have a stand booked at the Warley show next weekend. Under the current circumstances, I wonder if they will actually turn up and man the stand? If so we might get some news on their progress. I will be at Warley so hopefully I'll get chance to go and enquire. Colin M.
  9. I feel that I must add my own voice to those who are missing their thrice weekly "fix" from MreMag. I too used to look forward to a quick browse with my morning cuppa. Whilst much of the content was not necessarily relevant to my modelling interests, it was easy to skip over this content, particularly if discussions became heated. As a small time contributor I wish to add my thanks to Phil Parker for his impartial stewardship, he will be missed from the editorial team. I had not discovered the mag in Pat Hammond's time, but wish to pass on my thanks for his contributions. I particularly miss the Friday tea break videos. Many asks to Brian McDermott for these, and for all his many contributions on historical points. Finally my thanks to all the regular contributors who have provided so many historical facts over the years. Although I am a GWR/LMS modeller (joint lines so mainly the former) I have learned a lot about other parts of the railway network. I do hope that the new format of the magazine will allow the publishers to retain the HYS section in a similar form to that which has existed up to now. To move away to a totally forum based offering will in my view totally change the nature of things and remove the immediacy of replays to questions raised. However I am prepared to wait and see before forming any judgements. It would be good if the publishing team could update their 'holding' page with some information on progress. Colin M.
  10. Sorry about the typo's in the last post. I think you can get the jist of what I was trying to say. This will teach me not to post from my iPad, but use the laptop. The iPad spellchecker can be a law unto itself. Regards, Colin.
  11. Hi all. Like a number of others before me, I have came across this and Tender's earlier post a few weeks ago, and have been reading through the whole topics to catch up with the discussion. For some time I have been looking for a reliable way to operate a turntable, starting off with a simple DC motor and gearbox using an index ring. However the motor was so noisy that I abandoned this. This thread seems to provide the answer, so after a few weeks playing with an Arduino starter kit I have taken the plunge and purchased lol the parts. Fortunately programming is not new to me although I am somewhat rusty. My ne t problem is sorting a suitable turntable. I have a couple of Airfix kits, however as the years have past I have a desire for a mor accurate GWR 65’ turntable. As the Metalsmiths kit is now £105 I was wondering if it was feasible to scratch jailed one from plastic are. Has anyone ever tried this and succeeded? I have decided to post here as I feel that I cannot proceed with this without acknowledging all the effort and assistance all the prior posters have given, particularly Ray (Tender) for string this all off. As I am not a DCC modeller, I am planning to use something based on Cambrian Coaster's version using push buttons, but this of course is based on Ray's initial work. As I will only have two roads on the T/T I would need to simplify this a little. As it is now spring, I guess progress will not be quick, but if appropriate I will let you all know how I get on, and hopefully if I get any problems one of you experienced folk will be able to help me out. Once again, many thanks to you all. Colin.
  12. Hi all. Like a number of others before me, I have came across this and Tender's earlier post a few weeks ago, and have been reading through the whole topics to catch up with the discussion. For some time I have been looking for a reliable way to operate a turntable, starting off with a simple DC motor and gearbox using an index ring. However the motor was so noisy that I abandoned this. This thread seems to provide the answer, so after a few weeks playing with an Arduino starter kit I have taken the plunge and purchased lol the parts. Fortunately programming is not new to me although I am somewhat rusty. My ne t problem is sorting a suitable turntable. I have a couple of Airfix kits, however as the years have past I have a desire for a mor accurate GWR 65’ turntable. As the Metalsmiths kit is now £105 I was wondering if it was feasible to scratch jailed one from plastic are. Has anyone ever tried this and succeeded? I have decided to post here as I feel that I cannot proceed with this without acknowledging all the effort and assistance all the prior posters have given, particularly Ray (Tender) for string this all off. As I am not a DCC modeller, I am planning to use something based on Cambrian Coaster's version using push buttons, but this of course is based on Ray's initial work. As I will only have two roads on the T/T I would need to simplify this a little. As it is now spring, I guess progress will not be quick, but if appropriate I will let you all know how I get on, and hopefully if I get any problems one of you experienced folk will be able to help me out. Once again, many thanks to you all. Colin.
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