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Power, Sound, R/C
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Remote Control
PICAXE Speed Controller High Power Modification with VIDEO
While the original PICAXE based model train controller works very well and can operate most model trains, including fairly large G-Scale locomotives pulling as much as 3 amps, there may be hobbyists who need "more power!" In response to this need I have found an external H-Bridge that can be used with the original unit to provide 12 continuous amps of power with surges up to 30 amps!
Feb 3, 2012 - 11:00:00 AM
AC Power Trolley Modification
The original design objective for the PICAXE based speed controller was for it to be used as a track side power controller that would operate DC track powered trains. Come learn see how this new modification will give your railroad more realistic operation.
Jan 13, 2012 - 11:00:00 AM
PICAXE Model Railroad Speed Controller Train Activity Recorder with VIDEO
When I was working on plans for the original PICAXE based train controller I brainstormed a bit about other things that could be done once you have an easy to use & reliable circuit for controlling trains. I considered a number of things but the most interesting modification was to add a memory chip to the circuit so that I could use it to record a train-running session and then play it back over and over
Nov 18, 2011 - 10:00:00 AM
PICAXE Model Railroad Speed Controller with VIDEO
Since 2004 I have been singing the praises of the PICAXE family of microcontrollers to fellow model railroaders. Throughout this period I have wanted to put together a complete kit that would allow beginners to start working with the PICAXE while building a useful model railroad accessory. The new PICAXE 18M2 chip inspired me to write this article and assemble the parts for the kit that accompanies it.
Nov 4, 2011 - 10:00:00 AM
Aristo Craft Revolution Servo Interface
There are many Revolution owners who also operate live steam. These individuals need to control servos on their live steam engines to adjust the speed and direction of travel of their locomotives.Because the Revolution does not support servo control an interface is needed that will go between the Revolution receiver and one or two servos.
Apr 27, 2011 - 5:00:00 PM
Aristo Revolution Auxiliary Outputs Exposed
The Aristo Craft Revolution receiver has six auxiliary output pins that are normally used to control a sound card or an external smoke unit. Recently I have received a number of emails from model railroaders who are interested in using the auxiliary outputs to directly control lights, a relay or some other electronic / electrical device. All of these things can be done with these outputs if you connect them properly.
Nov 24, 2010 - 10:00:00 AM
VIDEO: Aristo-Craft Revolution Advanced Applications
At the 2009 Fall East Coast Large Scale Train Show David Bodnar gave an advanced seminar on the Aristo-Craft TE Revolution Remote Control. LSOL.com was there to video tape the seminar and as a member of LSOL.com you get first look at these videos.
Oct 14, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
Make an Animation Timer for your Railroad - Part II (With Videos!)
You can literally program a PICAXE or PIC based timer to open and close one or more relays in any sequence and for any time period you can imagine. You can even make them work randomly so that the same behavior is not seen each time they are activated. I hope that you will be inspired to try some timer based animation and control on your railroad. It is easy and adds a great deal to the entertainment value of a layout.
Jul 22, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
Make an Animation Timer for your Railroad - Part I
Where and how would a hobbyist use a timer on a model railroad? Can a timer be customized to operate an animation in a specific way? These questions and more will be answered as we explore timers that can be used to control the behavior of our trains and to provide animation on our layouts.
Jul 15, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
The Revolution in a Bachmann 4-6-0
In the past I have installed multiple Aristocraft Train Engineer and Locolinc radio control units (and several others in the early 90's who are no longer in business). I have eagerly looked forward to the new Aristocraft Revolution since hearing rumors about its development a year ago - and more recently reading Dave Bodnar's hands-on review.
Jul 8, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
VIDEO: TE Revolution "What's in the Box?" HiDef -Wide Screen
Every once in awhile in Large Scale Garden Trains there is a product that changes the way people think. The new Train Engineer Revolution is that kind of product. This is an all new version of the Train Engineer series of remote control created by Aristo-Craft trains under their Crest product line.
Jun 3, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
VIDEO SEMINAR: Remote Control Battery Power in Large Scale Trains
Another LSOL.com on-line first! A Video Seminar on Remote Control use in Large Scale Trains. The first seminar we have to offer is from Don Sweet of RCS of New England. In this one hour seminar he talks not only about RCS products but other remote control products. He discusses batteries and takes questions from the people attending. Many of which might be the same questions you have yourself.
May 21, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Controlling Reverse Loops with no Electronics???
Model railroaders have used relays to control various devices on their layouts for years. In this article I would like to review how relays operate and explore an unusual type of relay that has some interesting capabilities. This single inexpensive device will allow you to automatically navigate a wye or a reverse loop with minimal effort.
Apr 23, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Remote Control Emergency Power Shut Off
Have you ever wished you could quickly kill power to your trains but were too far away from the power controller? Or went to re-rail an engine but it kept trying to "run away" from you before you could get all the wheels back on the track?
Apr 11, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
Aristo TE in an LGB Mogul
Well, I have just completed installing an Aristo-Craft 75 Mhz on-board receiver (CRE55491) into my LGB 2-6-0 Mogul.
Mar 28, 2007 - 9:00:00 AM
Automatic Switch Project - Part V Microcontroller Integration & Software
When I start a project like this I like to come up with a list of things that I would like the finished device to do. The list of objectives below are the things that the microcontroller must do to manage the proper operation of all of the individual modules.
Jan 3, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
Automatic Switch Project - Part IV Sensing Train Location
The "eyes" of the switch control system allow the microcontroller's "brain" to know where the trains are located on the layout. This insures that only one train is on the main line at a time and that the switches are set so that the train returns to the proper siding.
Dec 20, 2006 - 10:00:00 AM
Automatic Switch Project - Part III Diode Train Speed Control
One of the design objectives of the automatic switch
/ block control system that has been the focus of these articles is that the trains entering the block control area would be automatically slowed down from their outside speed.
Dec 6, 2006 - 10:00:00 AM
Automatic Switch Project - Part II Turnout Motor Control
Model railroad turnouts, often called switches, can be controlled in a number of ways. The most basic is a manual control that is thrown by hand. Remote activation is usually accomplished by either pneumatic (air) or electrical means. Before we can choose the appropriate device to operate the turnout we need to examine how turnout motors operate.
Nov 22, 2006 - 10:00:00 AM
Auto Switch Project - Part 1
When using track power we frequently find a need to electrically separate sections of track from one another, creating areas where power can be removed or changed to create some desired effect. Come learn in this multi-part article how you can power several engines on your railroad and have them wait their turn to run.
Nov 8, 2006 - 10:00:00 AM
Automatic Switch Block Control
A few months ago I was given the opportunity to design, build and install an automatic train control system for a new garden railroad. This successful project was composed of a number of individual elements that you may be able to incorporate into your railway.
Oct 25, 2006 - 10:00:00 AM
Basic Auto-Reverse Control (BARC)
When I was testing the capacitors and thermistors that were the focus of two
recent articles I had a need for a simple controller that would automatically reverse a small engine that was running on a point-to-point track.
Jun 7, 2006 - 8:44:00 AM
Radio Control Systems Comparison
Now that we have looked at the different systems available from each of the major suppliers of large-scale radio control systems which one is right for you?
Jul 13, 2005 - 6:33:00 AM
Robot Train Cruise Control
Picture three or four small engines occupying the same loop of track and keeping a safe distance as they go round and round.
Jun 15, 2005 - 10:03:00 AM
Build a Radio Control / Battery Car
Although track power is still the predominant method for powering and controlling garden railway trains, battery powered radio control is gaining in popularity.
Apr 27, 2005 - 8:55:00 AM
Garden Railway Sensors - Part 3
Pulsed Infrared Sensors
In this article I would like to concentrate on the one sensor that I have found to be the most reliable non-contact sensor for outdoor garden railway use.
Apr 20, 2005 - 9:38:00 AM
Garden Railway Sensors - Part 2
I think that you will find its capabilities and use very interesting and appropriate with some of your projects.
Mar 30, 2005 - 7:50:00 AM
Garden Railway Sensors - Part 1
Adding realism to our garden railway systems involves many things.
Mar 16, 2005 - 6:09:00 AM
Eggliner Collision-Avoidance System
Here is a simple implementation of one of these ideas. It requires only the most basic familiarity with electronics, wiring, soldering and testing.
Mar 9, 2005 - 6:35:00 AM
Throttle Guide Part II : Remote Control Systems
The RCS throttle system consists of a shirt pocket size transmitter, receiver, and a control module, which controls speed, direction and accessories.
Dec 29, 2004 - 8:00:00 AM
Throttle Guide Part I : VCS Realroad
Here is our review of Reed's Instant RC System/VCS RealRoad.
Sep 1, 2004 - 6:55:00 AM
Robot Trains in the Garden - Part 3
We have the hardware, lets get the software working
May 17, 2004 - 11:50:00 AM
Robot Trains in the Garden - Part 2
Lets start building. Construction Check List and more...
May 17, 2004 - 11:46:00 AM
Robot Trains in the Garden - Part 1
My latest collaboration between hobbies involves using my work with programming small, single board microprocessors and using them to control devices and sense things around them.
May 17, 2004 - 11:40:00 AM
Making your Remote Control More Prototypical
Many railroads including Burlington Northern Santa Fe have started to use remote control locomotives in their switching yards. Something we have all been doing for years.
Aug 20, 2002 - 2:20:00 PM
An Introduction to DCC - Part 6
Automating your layout is not an all or nothing proposition.
Feb 7, 2002 - 6:00:00 PM
An Introduction to DCC - Part 5
Once DCC is installed we can control virtually an unlimited number of trains with our Hand Throttle
Feb 7, 2002 - 5:00:00 PM
An Introduction to DCC - Part 4
Installing DCC in our garden can be as simple as connecting the base DCC system power leads to the rails and fitting an engine with a "mobile" decoder.
Feb 7, 2002 - 4:00:00 PM
An Introduction to DCC - Part 3
Over the years a multitude of companies and individuals have attempted to develop improvements in the way we control our model railroads.
Feb 7, 2002 - 3:00:00 PM
An Introduction to DCC - Part 2
Computers are invading every aspect of our lives and now "Digital Command Control" - DCC may be pushing its way into our gardens and this immediately raises some questions.
Feb 7, 2002 - 7:27:00 AM
An Introduction to DCC - Part 1
Methods of powering trains in the Garden Railroad now include many options.
Feb 7, 2002 - 7:19:00 AM
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