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Using a "wand" for routing trains

PH pro hobbyOGR Forum Member

My "control panel" is designed to be used with my MTH DCS "wireless" controller and AIUs.  I have also incorporated into my "Dispatcher Panel" the ability to manually operate switches (turnouts) using a "wand" rather than individual pushbuttons. By merely touching a point near each turnout with the "wand" I can activate any turnout.

 

This process is in addition to other methods of turnout control which include:

 

1. Using MTH controllers supplied with my MTH turnouts.

2. Using my DCS system and AIUs.

3. Using my "Routing Panel" which has individual momentary action pushbuttons installed.

 

Therefore I have 4 ways to route trains.

 

Note: The "Routing Panel" (not shown) allows me to set a route and activate multiple turnout solenoids at the same time. Activation of the turnouts uses special high current capacity relays.

 

The"Dispatcher Panel" also has individual LEDs to indicate positions of all turnouts. It also has yellow LEDs which show the condition of a "block".

 

 

 

DISPATCH CENTER

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CJ MeyersCJ MeyersOGR Forum Member

Please expand on this post. I'm really interested in railroad electronics. I've built a number of small layout control and animation projects using Microchip PIC and Atmel ATTiny and Mega chips. I'm starting to get into some Arduino applications as well. Tell us about the 'wand' a little more and the hardware behind the panel.

rtr12rtr12OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

CJ Meyers,

 

I too am really interested in railroad electronics and was wondering if sometime you could post some of your projects in other threads? I am a bit familiar with the PIC chips (if that's the PICAXE?) and Arduino but know nothing about the others you mentioned. Have been fiddling with some 555 timers and some 74LS145's and LED's and other stuff. Now I know just enough to be dangerous! 

 

Thanks

 

PH pro hobbyOGR Forum Member

The "wand" is merely a wire attached to a small prod which has a small brass screw at the end. The wand closes a circuit and actuates a small relay.  The relay circuit then operates two or more turnouts to set the route. No other electronics are required.

 

All my relays require just a contact to "common".  This is the same "common" that I wire to my MTH DCS AIU IN terminals.  The wand is just one way to select a route. I have three other ways to accomplish the same function.

 

See my other postings under the "Electrical Forum" for other ideas.

 

 

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