Welcome to the DARK side An introduction to Arduino and other programmable control systems Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:55:28 +0000 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:55:28 +0000 Platform1mrc.com http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?forums/welcome-to-the-dark-side/ Deep into the dark side (WiFi controlled points) Sat, 19 Apr 2025 07:40:27 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/deep-into-the-dark-side-wifi-controlled-points.6904/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/deep-into-the-dark-side-wifi-controlled-points.6904/ invalid@example.com (Graeme) Graeme I ventured into the world of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) bots to help me write the programs.
I can say that AI really isn't that intelligent but does have its uses for a non computer person to write programs.
https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspot.com/p/using-raspberry-pi-for-control-work-in.html...

Deep into the dark side (WiFi controlled points)]]> 6 The Dark side beckons - CBUS and JMRI Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:06:30 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/the-dark-side-beckons-cbus-and-jmri.6562/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/the-dark-side-beckons-cbus-and-jmri.6562/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l
My local MERG group (Tayside Area Group) are running a course on GBUS and JMRI, and I've signed up for it.

And to make it easier participants are asked to have at least the following kits
Kit 80A CANUSB4
Kit 97 CANPAN
Kit 11 CANVOUT
Kit 497 CANTM7

The USB4 is needed to communicate between your PC and CBUS to configure the modules.

The CANPAN is an ideal module(s) for a control panel and will act...

The Dark side beckons - CBUS and JMRI]]> 33 Simple, affordable DIY Deadrail system Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:23:14 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/simple-affordable-diy-deadrail-system.5274/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/simple-affordable-diy-deadrail-system.5274/ invalid@example.com (leadie69) leadie69
OMG I hear you say.... Leadie69 is posting something again.... we all thought he had dissappeared!

No, I am very much here, I just haven't been on the forum for a while.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to introduce you all to a Deadrail system I am using for most of my OO locos when I go to my local club or when visiting other folks layouts (for those of you who haven't come across the Deadrail concept yet, it involves controlling trains wirelessly via battery without using the...

Simple, affordable DIY Deadrail system]]> 28 Micro Controllers Sat, 28 May 2022 08:16:50 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/micro-controllers.6003/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/micro-controllers.6003/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l
I had no issues with using the DCC handset to select the road required on either traverser, however both Toto and Yorkie reckoned that more local tactile controls and a display would be preferable.

Up until now I've used Arduino based...

Micro Controllers]]> 24 Arduino powered speed car Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:29:30 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-powered-speed-car.5897/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-powered-speed-car.5897/ invalid@example.com (TSeiver) TSeiver
I figured all thats needed is an old wagon, arduino, hall effect sensor, small magnet glued to axel, some form of display + a good measure of maths.

I sourced a Hornby 4 wheel wagon (cheers Martin!) and started the build. I really wanted it to be powered from the track, so...

Arduino powered speed car]]> 13 Speedometer Mon, 14 Jun 2021 22:30:31 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/speedometer.5574/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/speedometer.5574/ invalid@example.com (redpiperbob) redpiperbob If any of you follow Charlie at Chadwick Model Railway you may have seen him mention my speedometer program. I have downloaded it to Github so that anyone can make it.
I have just (Sunday 6/6/2021 1500) updated the files I have cleaned up the original Arduino file and added a file for those who want to use a Grove i2c display board.
Here is the link
to Charlies video

And here is a link to my Github page...

Speedometer]]> 4 I'm sitting comfortably and ready to join the Dark Side... Sun, 23 May 2021 12:33:10 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/im-sitting-comfortably-and-ready-to-join-the-dark-side.5189/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/im-sitting-comfortably-and-ready-to-join-the-dark-side.5189/ invalid@example.com (Beetleton MPD) Beetleton MPD Expect quite a few questions will be forthcoming.]]> 17 Latest Little Lockdown Project Completed Wed, 05 May 2021 19:20:22 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/latest-little-lockdown-project-completed.5193/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/latest-little-lockdown-project-completed.5193/ invalid@example.com (Colin_W) Colin_W http://trainelectronics.com/articles.htm
This is a DCC++ controller that will run up to 4 engines (so far) selectable and programable on a key pad...

Latest Little Lockdown Project Completed]]> 5 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor Project ? Sun, 02 May 2021 22:03:01 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/28byj-48-stepper-motor-project.5404/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/28byj-48-stepper-motor-project.5404/ invalid@example.com (Colin_W) Colin_W How about ( dare I say it? ) point motors :eek:.


This is the original Version.1. You can see the hall effect transistor that I used originally for zeroing or Homing the motor. In the end I didn't need it for this project as I found that it was easy to stall the motor and being a Stepper didn't give any increase in current. So I just rammed it into the end of the Rack travel slot. From there the...

28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor Project ?]]> 45 Arduino 101 - Lesson 3 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 12:35:31 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-101-lesson-3.2362/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-101-lesson-3.2362/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l .

and next a big thanks to Colin, at the Elgin show he gave me some goodies to play with, including infra red detectors and a DF Player mini (a sound chip) :tophat: these will make for some interesting future projects.

Back to the stepper motors

Why use a stepper motor ?

A standard DC motor has magnetic field on the outside (can or...

Arduino 101 - Lesson 3]]> 58 Dapol signals and operations Thu, 18 Jul 2019 15:24:45 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/dapol-signals-and-operations.4277/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/dapol-signals-and-operations.4277/ invalid@example.com (Richard) Richard There are separate output terminals on the module which are connected to the input terminals, and so provide the same voltage to the signals. However the issue I have is can you use 12 volt as it really doesn't make...

Dapol signals and operations]]> 3 A decoder function(s) question Sat, 16 Mar 2019 18:23:25 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/a-decoder-function-s-question.4033/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/a-decoder-function-s-question.4033/ invalid@example.com (Andy_Sollis) Andy_Sollis
Can the functions on a decoder be used to power a 1.5v motor?

Just thinking for my Lancaster model ? It’s got lights and a spinning bomb as well as the 4 engines. Didn’t know if anyone had used a decoder for such a thing?’]]> 5 4A stepper controller Wed, 12 Dec 2018 07:24:36 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/4a-stepper-controller.3678/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/4a-stepper-controller.3678/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l
Then I found this

View attachment 9821 ...

4A stepper controller]]> 14 PIC Controller Board Mon, 09 Jul 2018 20:13:49 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/pic-controller-board.2985/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/pic-controller-board.2985/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l

Comes as a kit to assemble


And supports 8p, 14p, 18p and 28p dual in line (dil) chips.

Paul]]> 11 Arduino Simulator Mon, 09 Jul 2018 16:21:51 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-simulator.2953/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-simulator.2953/ invalid@example.com (Rob_B2805) Rob_B2805
Here is a link to the simulator page: https://www.sites.google.com/site/unoardusim/home

Rob]]> 3 Arduino 101 Mon, 09 Jul 2018 06:24:08 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-101.1969/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-101.1969/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Ultimate-UNO-R3-Starter-Kit-for-Arduino-1602LCD-Servo-Motor-RTC-UKShipping/252870212084?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44760%26meid%3D097419c4b99444288dd221eaaaf543ef%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D272764373257

and some additional arduino Nano's - boy has the Dark side got it's teeth into him :avatar:

The...

Arduino 101]]> 70 Arduino 101 - Lesson 2 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 12:48:43 +0000 http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-101-lesson-2.1980/ http://platform1mrc.com/p1mrc/index.php?threads/arduino-101-lesson-2.1980/ invalid@example.com (paul_l) paul_l
Downloaded the software and installed it.

Connected the Arduino and determined the COM port - Note when Tom tried this on his laptop the device manager didn't display any Ports until he connected the Arduino.

Configured the Arduino software for your Arduino - Port and Model

Loaded a Sketch (the arduino term for a program) into the software and uploaded it to your arduino.

Lesson 2 - Playing with LED's

Connect the arduino

We will start...

Arduino 101 - Lesson 2]]> 32