DigitalGriffinBTW how did you fix the $@-$%#! Reed switch issue?
Reed Switch?
I'm guessing you're asking about the Bascule bridge mechanism? I only use one switch that is a spring plunger on the pier of the open end of the bridge opening.
The plunger activates a small microswitch which trips a relay. The relay opens the circuit for the down motor drive. Other contacts on the same relay kill power to the length of track approaching the bridge and also sets the signals to absolute stop when the end of the bridge is not contacting the plunger.
On the up-side of the bridge I do not have any overlimit switches—it is up to the competency of the bridge operator (me) to stop the raising of the bridge when it is clear of the shipping lane.
The most recent problem I had was the worm gear shaft had slid out of engagement with the mating gear. I placed two blocks of styrene to act as thrust bearings so the shaft can not shift laterally.
Mine is the first run bridge (1998 or so??) it came with flimsy bronze strips that were supposed to act as limit switches. I tool one look at those and tossed them out.
Regards, Ed
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Sir MadogI am afraid it won´t be of much help as the source is in The Netherlands
Thanks, Ulrich,
It does help to see what's out there and maybe search for something similar.
The AVT site had an english instruction .pdf so that was helpful to read. The Iowa Scale model I mentioned above has four distinct channels so for my use, that increases its value.
I found lots of sound modules using micro SD card slots for Arduino applications. Looks like I'll have to get familiar with Arduino since I see that word popping up more often in model electronics circles.
I'll post a short video when I get this thing and load some sound files into it.
I use a cheap MP3 player hooked to inexpensive computer speakers to play a loop of steel mill sounds and I always wondered why a similar device couldn't be used around the layout for other sounds but the triggering became an obstacle without "break-out" controls.
Thanks again, Ed
Ulrich:
Nice video of a very nice layout.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I haven't tried these, and I'm not associated with the company, but the price point on these is a lot lower than the others I've seen advertised:
http://www.ngineering.com/little_sounds.htm
They will download custom sound files, for a slightly higher price. They say the volume is not very high, but a louder unit is also available.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
gmpullman Sir Madog I use a cheap sound effects module for my loco whistle. Thanks, Ulrich. Do you have a link to the source of such an animal? Regards, Ed
Sir Madog I use a cheap sound effects module for my loco whistle.
Thanks, Ulrich.
Do you have a link to the source of such an animal?
I am afraid it won´t be of much help as the source is in The Netherlands, but anyway - here you go:
AVT Products
Sir MadogI use a cheap sound effects module for my loco whistle.
I use a cheap sound effects module for my loco whistle. It´s actuated by a push button, but could also be triggered by a reed switch or similar. You can load any type of .mp3 files up to a size of 1MB, which is sufficient for the whistle. I will install a few more of those for the church bells and the cow bells on my Swiss style layout.
I just finished making repairs to the drive mechanism of my Walthers Bascule bridge and while trying it out after putting it back in place I began to mull over how I could assign a sound module to it.
My first thought was the ITT HQ sound effect simply wired to a contact set off the actuating switch.
Then I remembered an old MRC generic sound decoder that I thought about driving the motor of the bridge off of and I could blow the horn as if it was the bridge siren. Better but not exactly what I was looking for. I would have to assign a cab to it and call it up on a throttle every time I wanted to raise the bridge.
SO...
I just came across this four channel sound module that I can load my own sounds on to and trigger them with four different inputs.
http://www.iascaled.com/store/CKT-SQUEAL
I have a couple of old sound effects CDs and other .wav clips that can be found all over the web or even my own recordings that I have on hand.
For the Bascule bridge I can have a ship's whistle sound off, then the bridge tender will sound a siren. Each of these can be separate push buttons. Then the gear/motror noise of the bridge racking up/ then down and finally, sound 4 would be the air-cushion pistons hissing as the bridge rests in place.
I just ordered one of these modules and I'm looking forward to loading some sounds into it and having some fun with it.
Maybe next I'll assign one to the steel mill and load some sounds appropriate to that operation. With the micro SD card you can always swap out the card and get a different sound configuration or quickly add or modify the sound file on it.
Anybody else have any experience with these little guys?
Have Fun! Ed