calvin Streeting Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 (edited) has anyone tried to use these micro magnetic actuator's on a DCC chip to lift a coupler on a loco ? http://microflight.com/radio-systems/actuators-and-servos/miniact-magnetic-actuator-1-1g.html i am going to try it anyway, but any pointers from others would be helpfull etc, and i have search site but could not find anything atm Many thanks Edited March 22, 2019 by calvin Streeting 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium mezzoman253 Posted March 1, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 1, 2019 I'm getting an expired security certificate message for that URL on both Chrome and Firefox. microflight.com uses an invalid security certificate. The certificate expired on 09 February 2019, 18:20:38. The current time is 1 March 2019, 12:00. Error code: SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE I expect they just forgot to renew it, but to be on the safe side I haven't proceeded any further. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 ooo thats their fault but was only a example.. so here is a screen print of it but they are basically "micro magnetic actuator" in google... people in RC world seem to be using them as light wieght and small (two thing that is good for Model railways ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 the MA is under the 150MA for the decoder i have / use, but the voltage is all wrong, so considering trying to make one compatible etc.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 ok alot of googling latter and yep mentioned (alot) on here didn;t find on this search (mainly due to wording etc, hence posting on here for info), but going to try and make some coils etc as i want them on a shunter (only the loco) so it can shunt trucks with standard (Hornby) couplers, but loco can let go on command etc... will post findings here etc. ( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasdavetheroad Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Mmm! I have just started building a prototype of a tension lock hook lifter using servos. early tests prove the concept works for 00 scale wagons and bogie coaches. to allow the coupler to work as normal I have used some polyester sewing thread to give a flexible connector between the servos and the coupling hook extension. I bought my servos from Micron Radio control http://www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk/servo.html I think I will start a topic when I have done more testing and learn how to make some simple video of the stuff working It will be in the radio control section because that is what I use but no reason why DCC should not work as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 finding this is a rabit hole of products... first intresting build / test https://nigelcliffe.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-03-03T13:47:00-08:00&max-results=7&start=14&by-date=false second a comercial product that seems to be built ontop of a 12v PCB relay http://www.keen-systems.com/DCC Uncoupler.html I also not probably will need a Transistor to do switching, which is np as built ALOT of thoses in my life and now i am rading the tiny magnets from old nokia head phones... (also have alot of those lol ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 (edited) so using these magnets this might work.. so going to print one of. (right at limits of my printer , so fingers crossed) only 9mm qubed and hopefully sits right behind buffer beam with coil repeling on load Edited March 13, 2019 by calvin Streeting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 14, 2019 Author Share Posted March 14, 2019 After 4th attempt to rob a old relay of its wire, and wind my own coil, using lego took ages and lots of &*&# but anyway test 2 complete.. success. now to learn coli maths and build transistor gate so not to blow up DCC chip, ooh and buy wire as easyer than robing it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 update time.. got some 36AWG enameled wire (rather than trying to rob old relays) and built a LEGO Coil winder Then wilst that core is drying (evey now and then glue is applyed to coil, esp last layers) So i looked at standard 0-4-0 Hornby loco plastic chassie and cut the two end holes, Coils tuck away quite nicely all things look good and seem to line up ok So thats a result, next onto transitor circuit and wind another coil to replace relay wire version.. ooh and calcs for ma etc... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cane Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 For design rules for electromagnets get the December 1977 and January 1978 issues of Model Railways. This has all the formulas in a user friendly format and lots of practical tips on winding coils. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 2 hours ago, Tony Cane said: For design rules for electromagnets get the December 1977 and January 1978 issues of Model Railways. This has all the formulas in a user friendly format and lots of practical tips on winding coils. Cool thanks.. will hunt down a copy. That's nearly as old a as me.. mind you I suppose coil design won't have changed since Michael Faraday's days.. still need to decide whether I wire them individually or in series (both ends) for single or double control.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Ok update.. managed to wind both coils and mount them in place. tested atm by external 12v supply not sure if i want inderpendent mode yet.. next onto transistor switch circut.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 YAY This is using a gaugemaster dcc27. With attached stay alive capacitor, solderd to DC end of diode rectifyer And a simple transistor (2N3096 PNP) switch circuit that lets the coil be driven from DC of diode rectifyer, to avoid to much amp draw through the dcc decoder like this one were relay is coupler coil The Coil is wound in 36AWG enamaled wire and i used green and purple function wires so inderpendent rear and front control find me on thingiverse (will publish stl files etc. , just want to write it up properly https://www.thingiverse.com/calvinstreeting/about 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) finaly got around to finding circuit drawing program. This is current version of circut, bit crude atm, and need to explore ways to avoid coil burnout rather than releying on me remeber to oly activate it for a few seconds. Edited March 22, 2019 by calvin Streeting added flyback diode on coil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 (edited) Calvin Streeting. All good stuff but you are starting with the wrong coupler. you can pull with a tension lock hook but not push. Actually the big weakness of tension locks, apart from being pug ugly, etc is they have very little depth and unless aligned perfectly the loops tend to ride over each other when propelling. I did a similar magnetic operating arm many years ago on Hornby Dublo/ Peco couplings by removing just the last bend of the coupler and having a hook very much like the one above rise and drop to allow uncoupling. The set up allowed propelling exactly as per the normal coupler while uncoupling could be achieved even while travelling at speed. It was used in a slip coach and also in a shunters truck I used a massive relay but one of these mini relays would make installation much easier. Mine worked on DC on the principle of an in line capacitor. I can't quite remember the circuit but it picked up from the track and when powered up the hook would rise as the cap charged then fall again. The trick was to power up gently so the hook cycled before the train moved. The slip coach needed a bit of dexterity to switch off a section of track after the loco passed but before the coach got to it. The Mk 2 has radio control from an under baseboard transmitter but is still in the design stage as is an operating mail coach where the net swings open some distance before the net using the same circuitry. The concept is good, it works but not on a tension lock unless you can drop the loop as well as lift the hook, which actually shouldn't be impossible. See pic for suggestion of how to make loop drop and hook rise Edited March 25, 2019 by DavidCBroad 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 hi thanks for comments .. allways helpfull to hear other options etc.. 27 minutes ago, DavidCBroad said: you can pull with a tension lock hook but not push yep.. i statred with this as didn't want to have to adapt all my wagons etc.. i am planing on only shunting small amounts of wagons, probably in singles. and thus will be putting a "dumb buffer" on shunter and thus use buffer to push, as have very tight curves on this little private wharf yard. hence why i removed the loop for this case. but as you stated it should be esay to move a loop down rather than hook up..and that also would meen no apation of wagons etc. i will draw something, and hopefully not have to adapt coil mounting pivot.i will have a think. wonder if o could do both mmmm currently working on circuit with saftey systems to avoid coil burnout, and a write up for thingverse, (note tho if anyone wants STL files can PM them) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted March 24, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 24, 2019 (edited) How about this for Kadee uncoupling. I have a pair (yet to be fitted) they are tiny. Edited March 24, 2019 by dhjgreen sp 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 yep saw thoose durring research.. they are TINY but i wanted to maintain Hornby couplers due to not wanting to faf with wagons etc... but very nice for Kadee couplers.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasdavetheroad Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 I am constructing some prototypes of a tension lock coupler which uses a servo to lift the coupling arm. In my case they will be mounted on wagons/coaches rather than locos. Having a flexible connection between the servo and the coupling hook allows the coupler to function as a normal tension lock as well. I use radio control for the servo with a small battery for power. Must take some photos and learn how to produce video 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 intresting ping some pics when you can.. i upload video to youtube and share it here... there are SOOOO many options for connecting trains / wagons and what to control etc... I looked at servos but would meen i would need to control them. and that ment more stuff in very limited loco but note each to own so keep ideas comming Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold JohnR Posted March 27, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 27, 2019 I'm surprised that something like this hasnt been developed by the industry. I'd have thought that a DCC uncoupler would be the obvious next step, especially from a manufacturers point of view - separating modellers from their money! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin Streeting Posted March 27, 2019 Author Share Posted March 27, 2019 yep i agree on that .. thats why i am trying to make what i am to retro fit into Hornby stock that and i have a load of trains etc i dont want to f with Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasdavetheroad Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 hope this video works Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasdavetheroad Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 This one has 2 wagons Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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