Kyle of Lochalsh

Hi All
I have been wondering what I was going to use to power the points and signals on my new layout.
I wanted to be able to operate them both from DCC decoders and from a indicator board.
I have decied to go with megapoints and servos to power my points and signals on the new loft layout. I wanted to get a feel for these elecronics so I built a test track. I have yet to work out the signal to point interlocking but the system seems to work well. ( After a couple of my own stupid mistakes.) I have put a link to a very poor video( my first) below. If you would like me go though the setup process I would be happy to. But Dave Fenton , owner of Megapoints Hhas some great videos on his web site http://megapointscontrollers.com/megapoints/

Any coments would be appreicated as this is the first time I am using any sort of semi automatic system. (I Hope this link works)
Thanks for looking
Bob

 

Hi all
Thanks for the replies. I am using a Z21 (Black) for my command station so this allows me to use an IPad or Android or PC with a programme. So I can move all the accessories I have on the screen or by an indicator panel. I am just laying out full size the track plan for Kyle this will include 3 parallel tracks to the left of the station an 5 on the right I will be including the 60 foot turntable and 120 foot long engine shed and the two wagon turntables at the end of the piers. More or less how it was in the 50’s and 60’s.
I made my own servo brackets on my 3D printer. I made these with slots to hold micro switches for frog polarity switching. Then Mr Fenton (Megapoints owner) went and released a relay driver board so I will be using this to change polarity using opto coupled relay boards. I am about to make the wagon turntables today on my CNC OX and will be using P H Designs turntable etches for the rails.

http://www.phd-design-etchings.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=25_28_66&product_id=138

I will post some photos when I have made these.
Be seeing you
Bob

 

Hi Paul
Yes the 3D printer is great Just design something in Sketch up and convert to STL then make the Gcode with Repetier.
The 3D printer uses the mechanics of the Prusa (bought of EBay) and a Ramps board.
As for the Ox I just bought the mechanical kit and made my own electronics. At the moment it works through Mach 3. But I am building a unit with a CNC XPro board to use GRBL. If I can help with either the 3D or Ox then let me know. If you are wanting stepper motors let me know I get nema 17 and 23’s from my work of old photocopiers I have used them for many things I build. IE the 3d Printer, the Ox, the Laser cutter I am building, and the laser engraver I built. I also used them to CNC my Myford. anyway back to the wagon turntables just finished CNCing them.
Here's a couple of Pics





and a link to my build

http://www.openbuilds.com/builds/my-ox.1821/

Be seeing you
Bob
.

 

Hi Paul
I forgot I am using an Arduino for the wagon turntables but I am using a stepper motor for the drive though DCC.
Be seeing you
Bob

 

Hi Toto


Hi Ed
sorry about the video. It is only 37K so I could email it to you. Though it is not much to see.

here's a couple of photos after soldering up





Be seeing you
Bob

 

Hi Paul
Thats the same one that I am using . I got 4 of them including the driver boards for £4 delivered from China.
Just waiting for the thin ply for the planking on the top of the wagon turntables.
Be seeing you
Bob

 

Good one Toto
Be seeing you
Bob

 

Hi All
And so Golspie is no more. I have spent a weekend demolishing My Golspie layout and it is all packed away ready for its resurrection.
I have started on Board One of the Kyle of Lochalsh layout. I have included a few pictures of the board in the stages of construction.

First the overall track plan I am hoping to achieve.


I usuallly wire up my points first as below.


I have brought the board down from the loft to work on it (might as well be comfy).



then the work starts. I drill the holes in the board in the correct positions for the droppers and the frog wire. Tehn fit the track. As the layout is in the loft I leave a millimeter or so in between the joints of the rails. (saves the track buckling later on)


Most of the track laid .
You may notice the verticle cork at the far right hand eng of the board. This is for the wagon turn table transfer.



A sraight on veiw of board One

I will post more as I go on

Be seeing you
Bob

 

Hi Ian
Thanks
I made the hole 1 metere long so no problems getting the boards up there.

Be seeing you
Bob

 

Hi Paul
thanks for the complement. here is the backside of the board.
The curcuit board at the top Right is the switching board and is only there to set up the system. This board will be in the mimic panel when I have finished the layout.



Overall view. You will notice I did not use the 3D printed servo brackets I mentioned earlier. I saw the idea of the aluminium channel on the web and thought that it was a beautifully simple idea. So used them instead as the frogs are switched with the relay boards. This also give me the chance to be able to switch other things on the layout at the same time and the relay boards are opto isolated, so more safe.



Close up of one of the relay boards. these are operated by the middle green board in the previous picture above.



Closeup of the boards.

There are two servo controller boards here and the relay driver board in-between.
The two servo boards share the same address on the Megapoints network so that with the press of a single button or the sending of one DCC accessory command they will change two points at once.

If anyone wants me to go into more detail about the Megapoints system I will be happy to share what I know (some say not a lot).


Almost finished.http://www.click
I havent wired in the relay boards to the driver board yet.

Be seeing you
Bob