ianjeffery

I just bought a few of those boards, and one with a 128x64 pixel lcd display - they are actually great and simplify the whole input and screen output greatly.

Just thought I would share this with you ...

A customer is using one of my Turntable Kits , but with a twist - as a Traverser...

wowsers thats small!

whats the decoder like in operation ?

Can i just ask, for anyone who has one..... how did you fit your dcc decoder chip ? 

Ray - How funny I am just working on a DC version using a screen and keypad :-)

its actually the decoders themselves doing the shuffling rather than the controller. The controller is just looking out for the change in current.

this topic is really interesting as im currently looking at this sort of stuff right now for my diy accessory decoders... ( www.dccinterface.com )

I have to cause a 60mA drain for 6ms to let the controller know the CV write/read has been comfirmed by the decoder....

for ages i wondered why my trains would move when reading and writing cv values, and it was only after reading the spec did i realise the decoder is generating the 60mA drain by moving the motor - very clever!

When programming under NMRA rules the decoder can send an acknowledgment (ack) as confirmation of programming commands by way of a pulse of power to the motor resulting in a twitch or it may flash the lights if fitted.

 

Much of this depends upon the controller and/or the decoder in play.

 

Some controllers limit programming current on a separate programmIng track and some program on the main track (POM) at full track voltage/current.

 

What you see is not unusual.

Rob

to be loved by anyone..........

Looks like you got the last one.

So i bought one of these:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121679235010

 

Nice and slim to go under new baseboard.

yes, i think i did get the last one - sorry :-( ( :-) )

i went for a taller one as i think it is the same size as the one i already have.

and bought one to test with. might make my turn table EVEN smoother !

Just had a look on line...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-9deg-Nema-17-Stepper-Motor-Bipolar-2A-46Ncm-65oz-in-42x42x48mm-4-wires-DIY-CNC/121681232839?hash=item1c54c443c7:g:OIMAAOSwpDdVfnCp

these look really interesting.....

Here is mine - I received it in the post yesterday and was running her for many hours last night.

I'm really chuffed. 

Ray,

 

Thanks for the prompt response.  Yes, the Cambriancoasters sketch works correctly when setCurrentPosition(0) is commented out.  Thank you.  I missed understanding that when reading the sketch.  Now I need to add back in the auto-align on startup.  I have a CUI absolute encoder attached and working, will need to add that code to the sketch as well.

 

One interesting thing, the motor I am using is a bipolar 0.9° stepper and it has 6,400 positions per revolution when microstepping.  I do have it set to AFMStop.getStepper(400, 2).  That is some pretty fine resolution.

 

Again, Ray, I want to thank you for sharing your talents with the code and support that you have provided.

 

@ ianjeffery, thanks for the link to the keypad.  However, I am using a Mega so plenty of pins available, and I want to use a red switch for the head and black for the tail with the two switches placed on the respective ray track on the local panel.  Simple and intuitive is my objective.  (control booth has a red metal roof)

 

Warmest Regards,

Dave

 :-)

you might be better off using this

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Nano-I2C-Matrix-Keypad-With-PCF8574PCF8574/

it uses the I2C interface and will free up ALOT of pins for other stuff.

Then you just read in the key presses. you could use 1 * for one direction, and 1# for the opposite direction......

I have  been  digital  for  around  20  years  now

 

I  tried  to  work  out  some  sort  of  clear  system  using  loco or  unit   running  numbers  but  after  a  year  or  so  it  became complicated  and confusing  as  the  volume  of  stock  grew.

 

So  now  I  use  my own  simple  system,    I started  at  1  then  went  throught  the  numbers  sequentially  ( omitting  3  of course)  along  with  this  I  provide  myself  with  a   hard  copy  of all locos & units on  the layout  by type and running  number  if  there is more  than  one  of  the  same  type  ( EG  BR(S)    **EMUs then some form of further identification such as SYP or No SYP etc is included)  against  each one  the  digital  address is  noted.

 

I have  used  this  system for  years  and  it  works  for me  ( and  any other colleague  that  drives  the  trains!!)

 

**As   the  EMUs are  the  most  prolific items on  the  main  layout  a further  quick identifier of visual recognition is  used, by re spraying the roofs of  some  cars with  a lighter  or  darker  hue of grey, to individualise the  complete  set, making visual identification easier

 

eg  '4-CEP  SYP   2 dark roofs'  address 0119

This is what i do too....

I number each train from 4 upwards and print out a sheet of paper listing the numbers and trains. 

All,

Thought i would give you an update on what i have been working on in my spare time...

its a virtual signal box, that can handle a large number of points / signals / light etc... it can handle chains of points, ideal for cross overs etc.

it has a screen and a key pad for manual operation, but also a dcc interface board ( www.dccinterface.com ) so i can operate them from my NCE powercab...

I dismantled it to show two servos moving...

what do you think?

mainly the powering down of the motor.... just as you have done in your example with the adafruit.

Also, I have had help from Alex Shepherd who runs Nmrc.org ( also has written a DCC library ) to add some nice touches. 

Just thought i would update everyone on a work in progress.... I'm experimenting with a complete accessory decoder...

its a work in progress, and a prototype board, but things are progressing well..

ordering one from the website is a very good idea - you therefore know 100% its going to work. Plus Andrew is a really helpful guy.

Wow! that looks great! Good to see my board working great.

What microstep setting have you got it on at the moment?

i took my bt home hub psu and cut the plug off :-)

This is from their website...

The SPROG 3 should be used with a power supply of 12 - 18 Volts capable of supplying at least 2.5 Amp, otherwise the over current protection feature will not operate correctly.

so i think you can probably use a power supply from a number of places. 

just to let you know, im using a BT homehub power adaptor that puts out 12v 2amp dc.

i think you could use any power adaptor that outputs between 12v and 15v, and up to 3amps.

Mine is low power as its just used for my programming track.

i got my psu with the sprog when i bought it. I am at work right now but i can take a look at its output rating later on if that helps.