JD2035RR posted:Ryaninspiron posted:And as a side project for those who want it I'm also going to look into adding TMCC / Legacy control of LionChief trains..When LionChief came out, the biggest issue people had is that they could not control LC trains with a TMCC/Legacy controller. Lionchief Plus 2.0 fixes that issue as they are essentially TMCC engines with Bluetooth, but there are number of years worth of LC and LC+ that can not be controlled by the manufacturer's top of the line control system. They are still producing LC that can not be controlled by Legacy/TMCC. There is an opportunity to create a Legacy/TMCC to LC bridge.
Now as people use and enjoy Bluetooth control from their phone, all new locomotives come standard with a bluetooth receiver. Isn't it great that everyone visiting your layout now has a controller in their pocket? There is certainly an opportunity to expand upon the capabilities of the LC app and remote. This includes the speed control that you have demonstrated, but would also include controlling Legacy features that normally can only be tapped into via the Legacy controller.
You have also demonstrated bluetooth control of accessories and switches - which I think is a really cool. I know this is out of your control, but I think if the app could be updated to include more appropriate interfaces for switches and specific to each accessory, it would really enhance the usability.
Lastly, similar to the ERR and the BlueRail retrofit boards, I believe there is a market for LC boards to be installed in non-command locomotives.
In summary, I think the following would be useful in the hobby:
1. TMCC/Legacy to LC bridge
2. Expand LC App/remote control capabilities (set speed minimums, sound only remote, etc that you have demonstrated) for LC trains
3. Expand LC App/Remote capabilities to control Legacy features directly in Bluetooth legacy engines
4. LC App/remote bridge to Legacy control unit to control pre-Bluetooth legacy/tmcc equipment.
5. LC App/remote control of accessories/switches
6. LC App/remote control retrofit boards (or track power control) to control non-command engines. BlueRail has a nice solution in this space, however I believe it is designed for can motors and could not be used to control postwar Pullmor motors. @BOB WALKER , please correct me if I am wrong here.
Posts like this are awesome. Thanks for laying it all out for me here, I am grateful for the level of detail you went into.
On the note of everyone having a controller in their pocket. I thought of an idea that would probably be more for club or public layouts, A time sharing system that allows multiple drivers to connect at once. They get put on a line with other users who want to drive the same locomotive, then the system will allow each person to have a time limited turn driving. The whole time a predefined speed limit will be in place and certain features like couplers would be locked out. Even driving in reverse could be blocked. Hard coded momentum could be used as well. I could even set it up so that the same user can be blocked from going again and again if needed for public layouts. a turn limit maybe.
Of course having the app better adapted would be great. I think its good to at least be able to use the throttle for now in the mean time though. You just gave me an idea though. In case you need to stop the train while using this accessory mode, I should set it up so that disconnecting the app or turning off the remote stops the train.
As for your other points:
1. This is soon to be a work in progress. If I had the hardware myself it would be done already.
2. Good to go pretty much.
3. Which legacy features did you have in mind? one thing I was thinking of adding was a trick to let you select the sound that plays like in legacy.(I would create the requirements for each sound for example I would trigger a brief movement in order to pull up the moving sounds).
4. Should be very easy once I have my hands on a legacy base and loco.
5. Progressing well so far as demoed.
6. I have thought of a way to go as far as supporting force detecting couplers and motor encoders in Pullmor locos. In the mean time a simple LC conversion module is a current work in progress item (may have a demo ready this weekend). LC remote/app Track power control should be the easier of the two methods but eventually I would like to design my own Pullmor control module.
Thanks again, keep me in the loop for anything else that would be nice to see.
