control panels

[mrgstrain]

Hello. Getting to the point to design and set up my control panel. HO scale dc with block control. Anyone have pictures and thoughts on this. Iam not the best when I get to electronics. THANKS
Larry

[willy6]

I used "marlite" it's white looking formica used for bathrooms.Then i used black pin stripe to layout the map of my layout. I'm using dual cab DC. then installed colored LEDS on my map for each block. I installed DPDT switches to control and indicate which cab was active to which block.Another words the DPDT was used to activate a section of track, UP postion activates cab "A", Down postion activates cab "B" and on the other legs of the same DPDT UP postion lights up an LED on the map to show cab "A" is active and DOWN position lights and LED on the map to show cab "B" is active. LED colors are your choice. It's not as complicated as it sounds. and i alson installed LEDS on map at the turnouts to indicate position. by using DPDT's i have electically interlocked the system so both cabs cannot be active to the same block.

[cwclark]

here is a picture of my control panel http://community.webshots.com/photo/137793353/200166453SbmTOd they are easy to build but time consuming...I use hardboard..i spray paint it white or light gray..then use very thin (1/4") masking tape and tape it over the white paint after it dries a few days in a design that represents the layout track...I then spray paint it black (Or any other dark color of your choosing)..after it dries I peel off the tape and wahlaa!...a control panel!...after the schematic stage is complete..I put hinges on it that will attach to the benchwork so it can be raised or lowered for maintenance...I then drill holes in the track diagram where i want my DP/DT switches to go...wire them up, and use a couple of screws to hold it in place against the benchwork...Chuck