RMweb Premium Vecchio Posted November 26, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 26, 2017 Although I've not experienced this myself on my DCC layout, Dave does a firmware upgrade (board version 1.8f on) with a mode to alieviate this by powering down the servo after each movement. This is correct, and there is also the possibility of a hardware upgrade (new for old - little bit more expensive) - depending of what version you own. I like the idea of quiet servos so I upgraded all 4 boards I have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tender Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Although I've not experienced this myself on my DCC layout, Dave does a firmware upgrade (board version 1.8f on) with a mode to alieviate this by powering down the servo after each movement. Should have added that MegaPoints boards supplied after 18 Sept 2017 are supplied with this feature. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted December 8, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) This is correct, and there is also the possibility of a hardware upgrade (new for old - little bit more expensive) - depending of what version you own. I like the idea of quiet servos so I upgraded all 4 boards I have. I get quite a bit of chatter from my servos and like the thought of powering them down after they have moved. Can anyone advise what the hardware upgrade comprises and what it costs?. I am running the servo controller version 1.8 which I purchased in early 2017 thanks Rob Edited December 8, 2017 by young37215 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Vecchio Posted December 8, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) If your servo controller is version 1.8 you do not need a hardware upgrade. A software upgrade will do. And this is £2.50 plus the postage for sending the PCB in. Find here a link to the Megapoints upgrade page https://megapointscontrollers.com/wp1/product-category/upgrades/ Best thing is to contact Dave per mail and tell him exactly which version of board you have. (This is printed on the PCB) He will advise you what upgrade you need. Edited December 8, 2017 by Vecchio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 I get quite a bit of chatter from my servos and like the thought of powering them down after they have moved. Can anyone advise what the hardware upgrade comprises and what it costs?. I am running the servo controller version 1.8 which I purchased in early 2017 thanks Rob Hi Rob, The servos are not actually "powered down". After a delay the controller stops sending positioning pulses either by holding the servo's signal input continuously high or continuously low. The electronics in the servo are still "powered up". The snag with this method is, if there is enough interference to trigger an unwanted excursion, the servo can move to an unknown position and remain there until the positioning pulses are turned on again the next time the operator changes the servo's position. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold young37215 Posted March 6, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) I have been using my 2 servo controllers to control pointwork on my layout ( http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/119560-west-highland-line-v4/page-3&do=findComment&comment=3074604 ) for several months now and have got comfortable with them. The servo controllers are linked to a Multipanel which I have been driving using the pop on switch which can control 2 servo controllers. Now I want to add more servo controllers I need to change how I control them and so my next step is to develop a control panel. Having reviewed the Megapoints videos, I also decided to upgrade my Multipanel to the newer 'plug and play' option. For an electrical dotard like me, the simplicity appears perfect. I bought the various bits from Megapoints and started to build the control panel. My outline plan, a control panel for 4 stations and a fiddle yard. Control panel with Megapoints Multipanel with 2 each of the Switch and LED expansion boards which allows switches for 6 Servo Controllers and control of up to 72 servos. Garelochead station 'drilled' with switches installed Garelochead again from below Garelochead with LED's connected Underside of the control panel with 80% of the required wires installed. All in all the activity has been straightforward and, once again, just as shown in Megapoints videos on Youtube. There is a lot of wires involved but the 'plug and play' approach made this easy if just a little fiddly. When powered up all of the appropriate LED's lit up but before I could test changing them I made a power connection error and managed to reverse the voltage to one of the expansion boards. The result is that everything has stopped working! I am not sure what damage I have done and have just packaged the expansion boards and Multipanel up to send them back to Dave Fenton for his assessment. Watch this space for further developments....... Edited March 6, 2018 by young37215 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Vecchio Posted March 6, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) The newer generation of boards have all rectifiers at the DC input - so no matter what polarity you connect them - you will not ruin them. I suppose all is still ok. Have currently 4 controllers running (and one extension on the mimic board as it serves 2 controllers). So far I am all happy with it. I didn't use plug and play but made my own lead and connectors - due to that I have no loose hanging wires - all are in the right length. Making these connectors requires a special crimping tool and after some learning phase it works very well. Vecchio Edited March 6, 2018 by Vecchio Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir douglas Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 whats the dimensions and make of the micro switches you chaps use, im curious for my own layout not megapoint related but i want to use them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Fabricator Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Try SPDT Sub-miniature Microswitch SPDT ON-ON. Actuatorlength 14mm. Rated at 125V 3A... Has anyone got around to using a MegaPoint controller for double slips and 3 way points and not using a route controller how has it been achieved? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted July 5, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) Try SPDT Sub-miniature Microswitch SPDT ON-ON. Actuatorlength 14mm. Rated at 125V 3A... Has anyone got around to using a MegaPoint controller for double slips and 3 way points and not using a route controller how has it been achieved? I have previously asked the question without a definitive reply. I'm sure an email to Dave will get some help and assistance, which is my option when I get onto the board with the 3 ways on. Mike. Edited to give Steve the name he was born with. I blame the heat! Edited July 5, 2018 by Enterprisingwestern Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium njee20 Posted July 5, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) Dave, you mean? Why would a slip be an issue? Two servos, two switches. Just consider it two points back to back. Three way point slightly harder I guess, you’d ideally want a three position switch, but I can’t quite decide if that’d work... otherwise again, two servos, two switches. Not any different to any other motor? Edited July 5, 2018 by njee20 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastdax Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) Three way point slightly harder I guess, you’d ideally want a three position switch, but I can’t quite decide if that’d work... otherwise again, two servos, two switches. Not any different to any other motor? You could use a single-pole double-throw centre-off switch like this to operate a 3-way point. It will "feel" like a 3-way switch but the centre position leaves both Megapoints inputs disconnected and both servos will adopt their "off" position which should set the point to the middle road. Edited July 5, 2018 by Fastdax 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium njee20 Posted July 5, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 5, 2018 Perfect, that'd do it! Clearly too early for my brain! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve shorrock Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Hi Guys, I have 3 Mega points DCC boards and point boards 36 servos and loads of leads for sale if any body is interested please PM me, reason for sale is ill health Regards, Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted July 6, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 6, 2018 Hi Guys, I have 3 Mega points DCC boards and point boards 36 servos and loads of leads for sale if any body is interested please PM me, reason for sale is ill health Regards, Steve Just so that Steve doesn't get numerous replies, I have bought his Megapoints stuff. Thanks Steve, all the best my friend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Fabricator Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Thanks guys, Dave Fenton tells me there is no problem using a single-pole double-throw centre-off switch with this arrangement (below) if you are not using the MultiPanel and router which automates all of this. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted July 7, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 7, 2018 Thanks guys, Dave Fenton tells me there is no problem using a single-pole double-throw centre-off switch with this arrangement (below) if you are not using the MultiPanel and router which automates all of this. The problem being though that there are also left and right hand 3 ways which wouldn't conform to this theory? Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 All 3-ways will work with a 3-position switch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium njee20 Posted July 7, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 7, 2018 Agreed, it’s not about left or right, all three way points comprise two tie bars which have two positions. Thus a centre off switch will always work by virtue of having 3 states. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Agreed, it’s not about left or right, all three way points comprise two tie bars which have two positions. Thus a centre off switch will always work by virtue of having 3 states. Except that for two tie-bars there are four possible states. (Although one of them might not be allowed.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted July 7, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 7, 2018 (edited) Except that for two tie-bars there are four possible states. (Although one of them might not be allowed.) For a Peco asymmetric turnout, that's exactly the case. To turn right, it doesn't matter what the second tiebar does. (Symmetric 3 ways are a different matter and the work of the devil.................) Edited July 7, 2018 by newbryford 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 For a Peco asymmetric turnout, that's exactly the case. To turn right, it doesn't matter what the second tiebar does. (Symmetric 3 ways are a different matter and the work of the devil.................) I'd show you the truth table but some of the rude words would get me in trouble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 I will do it then:- Left Left Right Right Left Right Right Left The crossed out one either does nothing useful or will result in mechanical interference so is the one to avoid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Fabricator Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Having just wired a couple of symmetric Peco code 100 turnouts using Peco motors and using John Essex's diode matrix wiring diagram, the 3 position on - off - on switch for servo control appears to be a more appealing proposition. As Suzie says: motor 1 Right, motor 2 Right (closest to the frogs) for each of the tie bars gives you the Left track, Left Left gives you Right track, and motor 1, left and motor 2, right will get you down the centre track,so hopefully that now is that as clear as mud! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted July 10, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2018 With reference to Steve's post #214, I have up to three (3) MegaPoints DCC Modules for sale versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3. (Don't know if the version makes any difference.) They are currently programmed for addresses 1-36. PM me if interested before they go on Ebay. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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