{"id":20905,"date":"2024-03-19T09:56:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T23:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=16a881e9887dc4c0b2ce364c25ab21d1"},"modified":"2024-03-19T09:56:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T23:56:00","slug":"thoughts-on-staging-yard-electronics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=20905","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on Staging yard electronics"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Staging yards turnout control, and some extras<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Auscision Models livery CLP9 “Peter Wilks” at Junee in February.  <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Way back in
\nAugust 2017, I wrote a layout design primer on \u201cX\u201d factor layouts, and
\ndescribed that my design of the Wagga layout would be an X factor.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/buildingwagga.blogspot.com\/2017\/08\/x-factor-layout-design-theory.html<\/span><\/a><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Whilst
\npainting the walls, and laying down the false flooring on my train room, I have
\nbeen giving some additional thoughts to the staging yards.  <\/span>In the comment section of that original blog
\npost, James McInerney suggested that the number of staging tracks I had
\nproposed was too small in number.  <\/span>He is
\nright.  <\/span>The NCE Switch 8 that I have only
\ngave me enough for 9 staging tracks, which as James suggests, is not enough<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

In
\naddition, I was never comfortable with having to install a lot of wiring, and
\nslow motion stall turnout motors under the staging yard benchwork, as
\nadjustment later would be at best tricky, at worst impossible.  <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

I had
\ncontemplated constructing the benchwork so the staging yards could be
\nextracted, but I could never settle on a feasible benchwork arrangement.  <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Another
\noption was to mount the switch motors above the benchwork, and use levers to
\ntransmit the throw action to the tiebars 
\n<\/span> <\/span>possible, but would need some
\ntesting.  <\/span>Or go with twin coil motors \u2013
\npeco makes an adapter base for their motors, and making a diode matrix for
\nroute selection is something I have done before.  <\/span>Peco side mounted turnout motors are smaller
\nagain.  <\/span>A further option was to use a
\nservo motor driver \u2013 Peco has one for 4 servos, although there are Arduino servo
\ndriver circuits that can be built.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Any of the
\nabove options could work, although I was never convinced they were the right
\nway to go.  <\/span>All needed  <\/span>a lot of wiring to return to a central
\nlocation<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

So it was a
\nrelevation to discover a product that was compact, DCC controlled, modular, and
\ndesigned to mount above the benchwork<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Enter
\nthe DCC Concepts SS point control<\/o:p><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Metro
\nHobbies had a recent sale, and I bought a 12 pack from Metro Hobbies for $399,
\na $100 saving.  <\/span>The pack contains six DCC
\naddressable control modules, each module will switch 2 turnouts.  <\/span>The turnout motors are extremely compact, and
\nrely on a stepper motor to turn a screw shaft containing the attachment for the
\nlinkage.    <\/span>In addition there are
\nextender wiring harnesses, sets of mounting screws, and a selection of pre-bent
\nwire linkages<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The DCC Concepts, Cobalt SS 12 pack box.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Control module supports 2 DCC controlled turnouts.  There are six of these in the box<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The turnout motor is tiny – around 2 x 1 cm.  There are 12 in the box<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Testing.<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

I found a suitable
\nboard, and mounted two turnouts, 2 point motors, and one controller.  <\/span>Annoyingly, the DCC concepts wire linkages
\nwere all designed for vertical holes on the tiebar (peco), and not the
\nhorizontal tiebar hole in my Atlas turnouts. 
\n<\/span>So I bent my own linkage with brass wire.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

To power it
\nI used my portable Powercab test bench. 
\n<\/span>The alligator clips made connection to the power easily.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two Atlas customline #6 turnouts installed on the board.  Each turnout connected to a point motor, which is then connected to the control module – one uses the extender cable.  DCC power via the alligator clips from the NCE Power Cab.  What I haven’t wired is the frog polarity wiring – switched also from the control module.  (click on the picture to enlarge the image)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

Following
\nthe DCC Concepts instructions,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

1)     <\/span><\/span><\/span>Assign an address to one side of the
\ncontrol module.<\/o:p><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

2)     <\/span><\/span><\/span>reset the point motor<\/o:p><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

3)     <\/span><\/span><\/span>Using the Powercab accessory operation,
\ncheck the throw.  <\/span>You will need to
\nactivate the accessory address multiple times, whilst you adjust the throw
\ndistance using the adjustment control on the control module.<\/o:p><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

4)     <\/span><\/span><\/span>  <\/span>Once the throw distance, matches the turnout
\ntiebar movement, attach the linkage, double check the throw, and then screw the
\npoint motor down.  <\/span>I only used 2 screws,
\nleave the other 2 holes in case you need to later adjust the position of the
\nmotor.<\/o:p><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

5)     <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i>Program the other side, and repeat
\nthe above.<\/i><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I had assigned 0001 and 0002 as the DCC accessory numbers for the specific turnouts.  Later, I will use a dymo label  to record the accessory numbers more professionally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The NCE hand controller has specific buttons for selecting accessories, or a macro.  The screen on this controller image is asking for the Macro number.  <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

The NCE
\nMacros.<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

Controlling
\nAccessories with your DCC system can be tedious, and my preference is to avoid
\nit if possible.  <\/span>The NCE system that I
\nhave, has an <Select ACCY>  <\/span>button,
\nbut you still need to enter the ID of the accessory, press <Enter>, then
\n\u201c1\u201d (for Normal), or \u201c2\u201d (for reverse). 
\n<\/span>Some of software available for the mobile phone throttles makes this
\nprocess less of a chore.  <\/span>In any case, to
\nalign 4 hidden staging yard turnouts one by one, to find the appropriate stub
\nended track is not going to end well. 
\n<\/span>This is where the Macro comes in. 
\n<\/span>A macro allows a number of turnouts to be switched simultaneously \u2013 and
\nif a macro is assigned to each of the staging tracks, than just activating one
\nmacro, all the necessary turnouts can be aligned.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

The system
\nlimitations of the NCE Power cab are 16 macros, each of 8 accessories.  <\/span>Not enough? 
\n<\/span>The NCE Power Pro system has 256 macros, each of 10 accessories.  <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Testing
\nof the route control using macros<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

For the
\npurpose of testing, I assigned 3 end points.  
\n<\/span>And then programmed the macros using a truth table<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Staging
\ntrack 1.  <\/span>              <\/span>Turnout 1 \u2013 Normal         <\/span>Turnout
\n2-Normal<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Staging
\ntrack 2                  <\/span>Turnout 1 \u2013
\nReverse        <\/span>Turnout 2 \u2013 don\u2019t care<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Staging
\ntrack 3                  <\/span>Turnout 1 \u2013
\nNormal         <\/span>Turnout 2 – Reverse<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

In
\noperation \u2013 press <macro>, enter the macro number (which is staging track
\nID) and hit <Enter>.  <\/span>In my test
\nabove, one, or both turnout motors activated simultaneously, selecting the correct
\nroute.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

It is like
\nmagic.  <\/span>Theoretically, I could set up 128
\nstub ended staging tracks at each end of the layout, by using the macro
\nfunction, although in practice, it is unlikely to be more than 16, which will be switched by 4 or 5 turnouts<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

There are a
\nfew you-tube tutorials on using the NCE system to control the DCC Concepts SS
\nturnout.  <\/span>This one by Barcoola is
\nexcellent<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bNmD3cDphmE<\/span><\/p>\n

An  alternative to the DCC Concepts SS system <\/u><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Something that I wanted to avoid with the DCC Concepts SS motors, is a mass of wiring, and circuitry below a layout.    Whilst this undoubtably works, the complexity,  arduino components and programming could lead to a nightmare in diagnosis a few years down the track when the memory goes hazy.  <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Repair
\nof Westinghouse Brake gauge for display<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Installing
\nYellow Tongue flooring on the walls was a deliberate choice.  <\/span>The main reason was for strength in hanging
\nthe upper deck off the wall without needing to know where the wall studs were.  <\/span>The bonus was to allow for simply screwing on
\nmy railway memorabilia directly onto the wall. 
\n<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Last month,
\nI was transferring a box of brass gauges from the house, to the railway room,
\nwhen I heard the unmistakable crunch of broken glass <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Westinghouse air brake pressure gauge from a NSW48 class.  <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
After removal of the brass bezel, and the broken glass, both arms also showed damage – the Main Reservoir hand also lost part of the enamal, and writing <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The broken glass was used as a template to draw a circle on the 2mm thick clear PVC that I had<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Using a dremal cutting disk, I cut around the line.  Note the protective paper on the clear PVC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
After much filing, the PVC was fitted inside the brass bezel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I color matched the enamal to Floquil Signal Red, and the writing redone with Floquil Reefer White. The original paint was gloss, but after the “glass” was refitted, I doubt anyone could tell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Removal of the protective paper on the PVC, gives a crystal clear result.  How long will the PVC stay this clear is a mystery.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On the Train Room display wall, with all its friends.  <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

Train
\nroom progress.  <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

After
\nfinishing the painting of the ceilings, and the walls, the next major task was
\nlaying about 50 square metres of flooring.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bunnings delivery of 20 boxes.  Each box contains 12 planks, and weighs an estimated 30kg.  This delivery was worth the bunnings $94 delivery fee.  The boxes were then relocated into the train room – a serious workout.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The first planks are laid like writing, from the top LHS of the room, and after that run, the next run is layered down a line, clipped into the the first.  The lines have to be straight, to avoid gaps in the planks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The other end of the room.  These planks have an included rubber foam backing, so saves having to install an extra foam mat beforehand.  Much simplier than the 4 other false floors I have previously laid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
One of the hassles of having a room full of junk, is moving it prior to painting, laying flooring etc.  The new floor is immediately useable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The kitchenette area.  The newly acquired bar fridge fits nicely under the “L” shape kitchen bench, hiding the hot water system.  Note that the plumbing has not progressed as all since October<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

Next stages after completing the flooring,  are the skirting, and gloss white painting of the window sills, doorways etc.    <\/span>That just leaves the ensuite –
\nwaterproofing,tiling, and painting, and the plumbing.  <\/span>Progress is slow, possibly as my builder has
\nonly been once since XMAS, so I am going at my own pace.  <\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/o:p><\/span><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

You have to
\nbe comfortable with being able to diagnose faults, and fix your models, or your
\nlayout.  <\/span>That confidence will pay
\ndividends.  <\/span>Before I stumbled across DCC
\nConcepts SS turnout controllers, I had trepidation that I would have created a
\nmaintenance monster that would lead to the premature demise of an operational
\nlayout.  <\/span>Now, by having each part self
\ncontained, and relatively easy to replace, I can get onto worrying about other
\naspects of the layout build.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

 Until next time, build a model or two.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

 Staging yards turnout control, and some extras<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 Auscision Models livery CLP9 “Peter Wilks” at Junee in February.  <\/p>\n

Way back in
\nAugust 2017, I wrote a layout design primer on \u201cX\u201d factor layouts, and
\ndescribed that my desig…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6528,6529,2226,6530,6531],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dcc-concepts","category-ho-layout","category-train-room","category-westinghouse-gauge","category-x-factor"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t