I guess this thread could be in other spots but I feel it applies to all.
I have my shelf installed on the wall. It is 24" wide and 22' long. It is of 1X3s on edge and a 1/2" plywood top.
Before I lay any track, I want to locate the control panel PHYSICALLY. Electrically it will be nearly centered.
I am at odds as to how to mount it. If I put it below the 1X3s, my knees will hit it when I wheel buy (a minor irritation). If I cut away the 1X3 and put it IN the facia, it may weaken that area.
Any ideas will be appereciated.
73
Bruce in the Peg
Bruce
Without seeing it...... #1, minor pains can, if repeated enough be major irritations. Not only does hitting a panel enough times may damage you, but you could also affect the panel if you jar it enough.
is it possible to add extra bracing inboard of where the panel will be? So that you could recess it into the 1x3 but still not weaken the structure???
Like I said,, without seeing it........
Karl
NCE über alles!
Bruce,
To what type of panel are you referring? If it is for toggles to control turnouts and/or other accessories, then my vote would be to have it in/on the fascia. Can it be screwed ti the face of the foremost 1x3? Can the panel layout be re-designed to be lower in height (perhaps longer if space is needed for the wiring)?
If the panel to which you refer is for the power bus with circuit breakers going to different electrical blocks it doesn't need to be very accessible. Theoretically once it is wired up and installed you will seldom need to access it.
Roger, it is an NCE power pro. You are correct about seldom need ing access but there are the panel lamps that show me things and I would like to have a direct view of them.
The thought of reinforcing the facia is credible as well. I will think around that too.
Bruce, I would agree with the others that putting it below the 1x3s is not a good solution if it interferes with your wheeled movements.
But, instead of cutting an opening in the 1x3s to recess the control panel, why not just screw the control panel onto the 1x3s ?
That is essentially what I have done with my control panels.
Those 1x3s are actually only 3/4 inch, so the protrusion into the aisle is minimal.
Rich
Alton Junction
Blind Bruce it is an NCE power pro
What "panel" are we talking about? The PowerPro is in a box. Mine sits on a small shelf under the edge of the railroad.
Rich, please elaborate on what you mean by fastening the box to the facia? It seems to me it will stick out the entire 7" depth of the unit.....????
Maxman, I apologise for the innacurate description of my control "box".
I just build a shelf under the layout and put my stuff on it. Sure there's lights but really all they indicate is that the track has power, the unit is on, and there are commands flowing on the control bus. ANy of which are pretty obviously out of whack when a train doesn't go. The need to refer tot he indications is probably not that great. I built two U shaped hangers that drop down fromt he benchwork supports and just slide in a premade shelf piece - the shelf piece is not attached so I can slide it to one side and drop it out if I need to work on anything. The equipment does face front, so I can just peek down and see the lights on it if I need to.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Blind BruceI have my shelf installed on the wall. It is 24" wide and 22' long. It is of 1X3s on edge and a 1/2" plywood top.
Bruce:
How high is the layout off the floor, and how far below the top can you see comfortably? All you need is a shelf not much deeper than the PowerPro box to support it, with maybe a small lip at the front if you are concerned about it sliding off toward the front. If you have, say, a 6 inch wide shelf set toward the back, that still gives you 18 inch clearance to the aisle.
The shelf I use is supported by two of those slotted vertical shelf support risers, so there is not a need to have any shelf structure toward the front of the shelf.
Blind Bruce Rich, please elaborate on what you mean by fastening the box to the facia? It seems to me it will stick out the entire 7" depth of the unit.....???? Maxman, I apologise for the innacurate description of my control "box".
Sorry, when you first mentioned a control panel, I thought you were referring to a conventional control panel holding a track diagram and DPDT switches.
Blind Bruce I guess this thread could be in other spots but I feel it applies to all. I have my shelf installed on the wall. It is 24" wide and 22' long. It is of 1X3s on edge and a 1/2" plywood top. Before I lay any track, I want to locate the control panel PHYSICALLY. Electrically it will be nearly centered. I am at odds as to how to mount it. If I put it below the 1X3s, my knees will hit it when I wheel buy (a minor irritation). If I cut away the 1X3 and put it IN the facia, it may weaken that area. Any ideas will be appereciated.
You are not the only one who is blind here. The assortment of replies posted so far would seem to indicate that everyone has his own idea of what your problem is. Please post a DETAILED description of what you are trying to mount, where you are trying to mount it, and why you need help doing it.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
"...it is an NCE power pro. You are correct about seldom needing access but there are the panel lamps that show me things and I would like to have a direct view of them."
Bruce, my PowerPro box is presently visible but it will eventually be hidden by skirting. I cannot remember the last time I looked at it. I feed power to five power districts each with a circuit breaker. Since the LED's on the CB's will also eventually be hidden by skirting I wired remote LED's to two panels on the layout fascia so shorts can be quickly located. One could probably do the same with the LED's on the PowerPro box.
I hope that everyone that is replying to Bruce,realize that He is in a wheel chair,to get around in..
Cheers,
Frank
Phoebe Vet Blind Bruce I guess this thread could be in other spots but I feel it applies to all. I have my shelf installed on the wall. It is 24" wide and 22' long. It is of 1X3s on edge and a 1/2" plywood top. Before I lay any track, I want to locate the control panel PHYSICALLY. Electrically it will be nearly centered. I am at odds as to how to mount it. If I put it below the 1X3s, my knees will hit it when I wheel buy (a minor irritation). If I cut away the 1X3 and put it IN the facia, it may weaken that area. Any ideas will be appereciated. Bruce: You are not the only one who is blind here. The assortment of replies posted so far would seem to indicate that everyone has his own idea of what your problem is. Please post a DETAILED description of what you are trying to mount, where you are trying to mount it, and why you need help doing it.
Yeah, what are we talking about here?
Is this what you are referring to Bruce?
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-157/PH-dsh-Box--dsh--5-Amp/Detail
Have you considered mounting it up underneath and just leaving a window in the front piece?
My electronics are mounted on swing down boards that are hinged at the top and swing up out of sight when access is not required.
I built a sloping shelf for the Digitrax Zephyr because I use the controls occasionally to operate a second or third loco. My main throttle is the wireless DT402D but I want easy access to the power unit. This would work with a wheelchair with minor modifications. It could also be made with a swivel to move left or right. Just another way to skin a cat! Note the toggle wall switch that controls ALL power to layout.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!