@stan2004 posted:1. So there are seven relays that switch power. How are the relays controlled (e.g., by an AIU)?
2. Do you ever need more than one siding on at a given time?
If the DCS-RC method is no longer a practical option, why not the approach GRJ proposed in the first post of this thread (over 5 years ago!). In other words every time you turn on a siding, you momentarily remove power from the passively powered TIU channel to use the TIU's watchdog. Depending on answers to above 2 questions, there might be a way for the proverbial man-behind-the-curtain to do it transparently.
Stan,
The relays are controlled by Arduino Microcontrollers via an NRF24L01+ 2.4gHz radio network, seven slave nodes controlled by a single Master. The sidings are located on module 1 with 2 spur sidings, 1 spur siding which spans modules 4 & 5 and module 7 (with 4 yard sidings). The Master is co-located with the TIU & WIU, more often than not multiple sidings would be powering on / off during a session.
My original thought was if the TIU issued the watchdog across all outputs when one was changed, problem solved and the most elegant solution. Simply toggle a small voltage change on the currently unused Fixed 2. GRJ's testing proved that is not a viable option.
For now I'm thinking my options are to 1. toggle Fixed 1 off and back on for a brief period of time, something in the 1 second ballpark or as brief as it can be so that the watchdog is triggered. Just not sure what impact that will have on running DCS locomotives. 2. Bridge Fixed 2 across Fixed 1 for a brief period of time, same as option 1. In essence using Fixed 2 as the DCS-RC module. Again, just not sure what impact that will have on running DCS locomotives.
Thanks,
Barry
