Thanks, Tom! Maybe we can learn more together through the forum. My only hope is that, with the proper presentation of the subject matter, people will find the topic of microprocessors a bit less intimidating.
I have plans to use multiple Arduino's to run signaling systems on a conventional layout with control blocks that will allow the trains to run themselves when desired. That means that the microprocessors have to communicate with each other to indicate block occupancy and signal aspects.
I don't have a great budget for doing any of this so the cheap stuff from Asia is on my agenda. I've had excellent results with the things that I've ordered from overseas so far and that's what I'm counting on.
I just recently put an order in for some relay modules; 16 relays on 4 boards with opto-isolation for just $10. Arduino Nano's go for about $2.50 with free shipping. That's such a great deal I'll be going for more of those soon.
Even the larger Arduino boards are very reasonably priced. I've got a Mega 2560 that cost about $10. It's got the headers already in place and has lots of pins. I tried it with a simple loop of track running power through a relay module. It worked great.
I hope to continue the Arduino lessons with some of these projects. Maybe it will catch on with some of the other retired folks. I know soldering can be tough for those of us with poor eyesight but it doesn't have to be perfect; just serviceable. I won't be using any surface mount components for anything.
-- Leo
