Hi all
Looking for some input as to what you would want for a signal system ( besides free ). If you can take some of you valueable time and answer a couple of questions, that would be great!
1. Are you willing to build from a kit:
1a. Signal with mast and head(s)
1b. Electronics -> pcb and associated part stuff
2. Which would you rather have:
2a ABS
2B CTC
2C both ( CTC is really an overlay on ABS anyway )
3. Should DCC be used to control these? This is sort of a trick question. DCC right now has lots of room for expansion, but as more and more things get shoveled in, it will slow down and become unmanagable. Have seen this happen with PC serial ports AND now USB connections, along with cell phones ( you can't buy a cell phone with only CallerID and contacts ) and probably more stuff I haven't thought about.
Thanks for your time.
todh
Todd Hackett
Libby, Montana 59923
I take only pictures then leave footprints on railroad property that I know is not mine, although I treat it as such...
Well ctclibby, I think you may be onto something. There are some fine signals available, but way too expensive for the larger model railroad.
For this reason, I have been planning to make the brass etchings for the ladders, platforms, signal boards and lens hoods to build my own. I would also need two track and some 4 track signal bridges. I have done the CAD drawings for the New Haven's Catenary and Anchor bridges scaled from the New Haven's original 1908 blueprints, and special semaphore signalling for them. I have purchased all of the etching materials and as soon as I get my workshop set up in my garage I will be in production of the first catenary bridges. If all goes well, I will then do the drawings for the signals and signal bridges.
I am looking for a good schematic and PC board layout to build my own block detection cards for DC operation. I can also etch my own PC boards.
Another need is a PC board based passsenger car lighting system that would use inexpensive Christmas Tree bulbs and be either battery/reed switch powered or track/reed switch operated with a capacitor to eliminate flickering.
The answer to your questions is YES, to all. If I could buy kits of the parts, LEDS, etc. for signals and the PC board, diodes, resistors capacitors, etc, I would seriously weigh the time saving advantage of doing so.
although i won't be installing a signal system myself i've done a lot of reading , mainly because i'm interested in the block detection and computer control areas of the hobby .
what i see as the biggest problem for anyone trying to manufacture a signal system is the wide variety of designs the prototype railroads use . if you pick one and and build it you lock out everyone except the people who model the prototype you followed (you may pick up some freelancers) . trying to build the correct mast kits for every railroad is going to be expensive , but that's the only way to cover the whole market .
good luck with your research , keep in touch !
I'd like to be able to just program a controller with what signals I have. On my layout the vast vast majority of signals are either PRR Position or B&O Color Position signals. Unfortunatly, the atlas system really only supports NYC G target signals.
I'd like to be able to control the signals from my laptop, or set a sequence and watch it. (We have manual route alignment now)
You could write a program and label all the jacks A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, etc and then on the computer program, it asks you what your signal is and you say Signal One Clear A1, B1 Signal One Limited Clear C1 D1, Signal One Clear with Luna A1 B1 C1 E1.
Signal 2: Clear A2 B2, etc.
Check this out:
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/3415-LED64.aspx
100% USB controlled. The software API comes in a wide variety of languages. Depending on how clever you are at using the 64 LED allocation, you could drive a TON of signals with it.
I am working on a project to tie a LED controller like this in with some digital-ins for block occ and then interfacing them with DCC control using JMRI or something like it.
Dave Loman
My site: The Rusty Spike
"It's a penny for your thoughts, but you have to put your 2 cents in.... hey, someone's making a penny!"
In answer to your question "Would I buy kits? The answer is yes. Differing signals for differing prototypes is not a problem.
Rather than offer a kit for each complete signal type, Kits for each component could be offered separately in 6 packs. Different masts single, cantilevers, double and 4 track bridges, differant signal heads, etc. A buyer could buy the masts, signal heads, call on lights, ladders, etc. separately to construct almost any prototype signal.
I will need 24 double head 3 light signals on a mast with a ladder and grid platform. I would buy 4 each of the masts, ladders, and platforms, and 8 of the signal heads. Using assembly line methods, I would probably save a bunch of money over purchasing any of the available Products.
Hay BigRusty
I send ya and eMail on your personal account. Did ya get it?