amdaley

1 hour ago, ITG said:

Whilst I use Prodigy Advance 2 rather than NCE, I use Alpha Switch D to achieve pretty much what you are aiming for. The points push-buttons are also LEDs, and the ‘brains’ align each button to the respective accessory codes of point motors/decoders, meaning you can avoid a myriad of wires to the control panel. The buttons work in pairs for straight or turn routes if a point, illuminating that selected. Crossovers can be paired up to share a single button for the linked route.

Each Alpha Switch D module runs 6 points but they can be linked up for greater numbers. Because of run-round loops and crossovers, I run some 35 points off 4 units x 6. Not an inexpensive solution but both functionally and cosmetically good for me.

Thanks for that. 

I'll check them out. 

Tony. 

14 hours ago, Ron Ron Ron said:

I don't know if this one would be practical or not....

If there is difficulty in incorporating the panel LEDs  into the MiniPanel switching, why not have the LEDs independent of the switching, driven by a separate Alpha Mimic** module, with no connection to the switches or MiniPanel ?

If the Alpha Mimic is installed under or in the panel, then the only wires that need to connect this with the rest of the layout, are a pair of wires from the nearest place on the track power bus.

This would also eliminate the problem of disparity, or false indications given by the panel LED's if points or routes are switched from the handset.

 

 

Any thoughts on this, or is it a non-starter?

 

p.s. ** Alpha Mimic simply eavesdrops on point switching commands being sent out on the track or accessory bus(es) and uses that information to illuminate the appropriate LEDs on a mimic panel.. It doesn't matter where the points are controlled from, from a control panel, DCC handset, computer control program or any other form of switching. If it's by DCC, it's all the same to the Alpha Mimic. 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Hi Ron.

I hadn't thought of Alpha Mimic as to honest I don't know anything about them.

I'll take a look.

Regards.

Tony.

16 hours ago, Nigelcliffe said:

Ray's comments are important, and do sometimes catch out MiniPanel users....   If its "buttons per turnout", then the MiniPanel will control 15 turnouts, even with toggle switches, because two inputs are needed for a turnout (one for "left" and the second for "right").    Cross-overs can work as pairs.

 

There are ways to get more than 15 turnouts from a MiniPanel, the manual shows a simple example with a fan of four sidings, with only four buttons to control them.   Plus, one can use the "Macros" (routes) stored in the PowerPro to get more complex turnout operations from a single button press than the limited number of steps in the MiniPanel's memory.    I think going to any of these route-based ideas means push-buttons, and then LEDs on the panel won't come from the switches or minipanel.  

 

 

 

Comments from Tony on preferences for control are needed to give more detailed suggestions.  

 

 

- Nigel  

Hi Nigel.

I am aware that I would probable need two Mini Panels for my number of points & how the macros work as I already use macros on passing loops elsewhere on the layout.

The problem is how to get the panels leds to indicate how each point is set & what route is set without wiring back to each of 34 Tortoise Motors.

Regards.

Tony.

19 hours ago, Nigelcliffe said:

What switches are you planning to use on the MiniPanel ?   

 

If using toggle switches, or rotary switches, then (a) the switch position shows the route, and (b) a LED could be wired through a spare set of contacts on the switch.    But, the downside of those switches is they are incompatible with changing things elsewhere (eg. if you change a turnout on the ProCab handset, the toggle switch is now wrong!).  

 

If using push buttons, you'll need extra hardware.   You could wire back from every turnout motor, but that's a lot of wiring faff.   You could use another device in the panel to display the information, that could be another accessory decoder (to just light LEDs, if it were an Arduino or other DIY one it is cheap), or other devices.   

 

Or could use a computer screen, on say a Raspberry PI, which is fairly cheap to show the position of turnouts.   (The PI itself can take about 20 push buttons as inputs to change turnouts as well, so might do the job of a MiniPanel).  

 

 

There are lots of ways, but they all have issues over complexity or other constraints.  

 

 

- Nigel

Hi Nigel.

I was planning on using SPDT momentary toggle switches to send commands to the Mini Panels to switch the points individually or through macros.

The Mini Panel is meant to be used with momentary switches so would not work with lighting the leds unless through some sort of relays which I'm not familiar with.

What I was trying to avoid is running wires from the panel to each of the 34 Tortoise motors on the terminus layout.

Regards.

Tony.

Hi Everyone.

Thank you for the replies.

I was travelling  a lot yesterday so I'm just getting back to this topic now.

Sorry to be replying to everyone individually but I didn't want to miss any of the points you made.

Regards.

Tony.

Hello Everyone.
Hope you are all well & keeping safe.

My system is the NCE Power Pro 5amp system.

As part of my layout I have a terminus which contain 34 points run with Tortoise point motors and running through NCE Switch 8's, Switch It's etc
At present I change the points using the accessory button of my Pro Cab.

I have a layout diagram on a control panel at one end of the terminus.
I plan to be able to change the points from this panel using an NCE Mini Panel which should work fine.

My question is ?
Is there any way to have point position led's on this panel with the Mini Panel or would I need to run cables to each Tortoise motor powered by a different setup ?
With 34 points I'm trying to avoid having to run all those cables between the control panel & the points motors.

Thanks Everyone.

Regards.

Tony.

4 hours ago, jonnyuk said:

to be honest i've not tried it, its the most obvious thing to try...

 

i bought mine from hattons i as a pre-owned with a similar issue. the pivot was not broken on mine as the screw through the chassis to the bogie was still in tact, my issue was the plastic bracket that encases the top of the boggie and reduces the slop. if you take it apart though you can see how it works very easily, a little bit of super clue and its good as new, saved my self £50 doing this.

I saw what the problem was straight away when I took mine out of the box.

Being a brand new loco bought at full price I wasn't willing to take it apart to try to fix it.

With mine the problem was the little spigot into which the screw goes was broken off level with the top the the bogie tower. The little plastic spigot was still attached to the screw.

Was this the same problem you had ?

As a matter of interest & for future reference what end did your model have the problem ?

Mine was the end with the decoder socket fitted.

2 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

I bought mine from a proper face-to-face retailer and it was (fully satisfactorily)  test run by him in my presence before I left the shop.  I fully appreciate that not everybody can do that (and the shop is an hour's drive away from me so every time I go there I spend two hours travelling) but it does show the value of visiting a retailer if you can.  And Paul at Alton Model Centre is one of the best especially when it comes to testing models before he hands them over to the customer.

 

Overall it is a very good representation of the later type of GWR railcar and I think the green livery (with white roof ends in the one I purchased) is well executed and mine ran well straight out of the display cabinet.

The Hattons rep entered a note on my file that the replacement model is to be tested before its sent out to me.

Of course that's no guarantee that it won't get damaged during transport.

Unfortunately living in Ireland I have no choice but to buy from overseas.

Got one of these through the post today.

Came with a broken bogie pivot straight out of the box 

Already on its way back to Hattons.

This is the second time I have seen this problem with these railcars.

Hattons had one for sale last week which had the same problem described in the details.

Hope its not an issue with them ?

1 hour ago, jonnyuk said:

Running Issues - i've took delivery of the LokPilot decoder and for the most part very happy, i do find it frustrating through that when you change direction you have to set about 3 different light options but thats a minor grumble.

 

My main issue is the jerking running and very slow top speed, the loco runs with a very slight jerk, almost like its its got some inertia (its not the decoder because it did with my temporary one, i was hoping it was the decoder), the top speed is really poor, i can't believe it would run that slowly. anybody else had issues?

 

Have you tried the railcar on DC & if you did, did you have the same jerky running? 

Tony. 

Great to see you back John.

This thread is a tonic for anyone in these trying times.

Stay safe.

Tony.

Anyone looking for ESU decoders might try here.

Don't know if they have a particular decoder but its worth a try/

https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/Digital+_sp_+Digital+boxes/Digital/gb/liste.html?spur=H0&hersteller=ESU&grup=Digital

Airfix used to make an autocoach back in the day. I'm sure if you dig around on ebay you might find one. 

You could also use a goods van. 

I'm so sorry to hear that. 

I was always praying that he would make it through. You will be with us in our memories Gordon. 

My sympathies to his family & friends.

RIP Gordon. 

So sad to hear this news.

Life can be so cruel.

My prayers are with Gordon & his family.

18 hours ago, Canal Digger said:

Hi, I know that this thread is mainly about the madness of some ebay sellers but how about the madness of ebay itself?

Having received a 'Final Warning' email (somewhat threatening) re updating my payment methods I wasted an hour on their chat line yesterday trying to understand. Apparently ebay are 'moving away' from Paypal.so they now need our bank a/c details to make payments to/ from. Given that I don't trust their security, no way am I giving them my main bank a/c details. so looks as if I have 2 options:

1. Close my ebay a/c. What other auction sites are there out there please?
2. Set up a separate bank a/c just for ebay

I tried to explain that if Tesco changed their system so that customers had to open a separate bank a/c they would soon go out of business. I think the individual agreed, she was quiet for a few min, however could provide no alternative.

Your thoughts please 

I suppose it depends on how much you use E Bay. If you're a heavy user then you may need a separate account. 

Personally I'de tell them to take a long walk off a short pier but thats just me. 

33 minutes ago, gordon s said:

I like the idea of using Peco lifts as I have a couple laying around when I was experimenting with a loco cassette system. The only thing I'm not sure of is I can't see anything actually holding the locos in place within the loco lifts. Are you counting on lifting it square and level or is there something holding the loco onto the lift track?

 

I'd shudder to think of tripping on something that's sufficient to throw the locos off the track itself and they all cascade into each other.

 

I'm sure you have it covered.

I also noticed while using one of the Peco loco lift how easy it is for locos to slide off the lift.

A little lift up flap at each end of the loco lift would stop this. 

This seems a decent price ?

Hornby-R3863-LSWR-Class-4-4-0

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hornby-R3863-LSWR-Class-4-4-0/dp/B08485J16S/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Hornby+R3863+LSWR%2C+Class+T9%2C+4-4-0%2C+120+-+Era+2+Locomotive+-+Steam&qid=1617305628&s=kids&sr=1-1

2 hours ago, cessna152towser said:

Over optimistic, I think, for a re-painted Lima coach which has lost its bogies.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIMA-305656-RE-PAINTED-BR-BLUE-MK1-GUV-PARCELS-VAN-COACH-NKV-M93397-nz/363334001261?hash=item549864e26d%3Ag%3A3u4AAOSwg~JgXHYi&LH_BIN=1

You only have to look at who is selling it.

That seller has form for stuff like this 

Well done to everyone involved in setting this up.

Very enjoyable.

Thanks.

Did anyone ever get to fitting these ?

4 hours ago, Pokemonprime said:

£7.90 to ship 4 DCC boards from Germany, and yet somehow it cost me £6.53 to get two wagons and two points shipped across the Atlantic, UK to America. I will never quite understand international shipping.

That's actually €7.90 Euro which works out about stg 7.00 and the DCC boards are being sent by DHL. 

1 hour ago, newbryford said:

 

Nothing to to with Royal Mail.

The UK ebay listing shows it as free postage.

The second item is £0.99 postage.

It's Ebay's Global shipping program and their charges.

Global shipping money making racket. A right con job. 

On 18/01/2021 at 19:14, PhilJ W said:

I have just ordered an item from Shapeways (Netherlands), the postage was £7:80p!

It shows what can be done. 

I'm getting four Lenz DCC decoders from Germany with postage set at €7.90 with DHL. 

EDIT. 

The postal costs from Germany were actually Euro 3.90 when I got to the checkout. 

Ever since Brexit happened E Bay sellers have totally lost the run of themselves in regards to postage to Ireland.

A postcard.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Southern-Western-Railway-Ireland-Official-Postcard-Kerry-Hotels-2/383903904568

£10.03 to post a postcard.

A 6" X 4" photo.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Iarnrod-Eireann-Class-071-No-080-Dublin-Heuston-Irish-Railways-6x4-Photo-Print/254493827082?hash=item3b4103a00a:g:79MAAOSwXRleLfV7

£10.88 to post a 6" X 4"photo ?

I know Royal Mail charge high prices but this is just taking the p*** 

A few weeks before Christmas I tried to place an order but when I came to put in my address I couldn't put in Ireland because the UK was the only country available. 

I sent in an email inquiry to ask what I should do but didn't get an answer. A week later I sent another email but didn't get an answer to that either. 

Unfortunately I then had to go  elsewhere.