running train on a auto timer

[Capdiamont]

Don't know if you found your timer yet, but I posted some code and general how to of using a Basic Stamp at http://www.geocities.com/capdiamont/event.htm

[cmrproducts]

Andrew

Check at Wal-mart/K-mart as they have a plug in wall timer that operates on 15 minute schedule. Then just plug in the transformer and set the times.

Bob H

[BNSFNUT]

You might try a local electrical supply that caters to industral equipment. A few years ago I saw a electrical time that was set to run a display that worked in a 5 min of on time frame at a museum that I work for. The display is gone now but our maintance man said he got the timer for it at an electrical supply house. He din't remember the manufacture.
Hope this helps.

[Capdiamont]

Is your on/off tiems critical? Is aprox. 30min on/off ok? Intermatic makes mechinal timers that will work like that, and are low cost. Most off the shelf, digital timers only can do 6 on/off cycles per day.

The basic stamp computer on the other hand is $34.00 plus S&H and tax, just for itself. It is all solid-state electronics, no maintence. Don't worry about power outages, it will just reboot from memory again.

LCD display can be $49.00 to $109.00. but they are not nessary.

BCD switches run $9.00 to $50.00. They are one user adjustable way to set the time, without a LCD.

Rotary Switch is probally cheaper. Software can be programed so that each position equals 1, 5 or 10 minutes or more. Using one switch, position 1 is either 1, 5 or 10 minutes on/off. Position 2 is 2, 10 or 20 minutes on/off. Acutally with the software the positions could do 15min, 30min, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours etc.

Maybe there is a DCC device that will do the same thing? That would require a decoder mounted in the engine. I don't know much if anything about DCC. there is a company that makes automatic DCC control, but I didn't see what you needed.

Your cheapest option and easist is the mechinal timers.

With the Stamp the cheapest option is to just have the stamp and a relay. The on/off times would be programmed in the software, and would only be changed by downloading new software in to the stamp.

the next cheapist option witht he stamp is to add a rotary switch, so they can change the on/off times.

I'm willing to do it, however please understand I'm not a professional, just a hobbyist. I would assemble the electronics and program it. You would have to make a case. [e-mail]
I got to go now before my wife kills me for being online so long.

[Anonymous]

Thank you again, frankly I'm leaning towards a mechanical timer something I might be able to get off the shelf. I have never used any type of stamp for anything other than a letter, and I would want to be fairly familiar with them before I tried to set one up myself and put it in a layout for someone else. Is this something that you could and/or are willing to do. If so, what would a set up like this cost,approx.(somthing I would just have to install). Are there regular service or maintenance requirements for this stamp (other than when the customer breaks it).
Thanks for all the help.
Andrew

[Capdiamont]

jamie did jog my memory though, you can get mech. timers, for 110vAC, that can be set for x amount of time on, then shut off.

The basic stamp, can be fully automatic. About $50.

basicly you can do what you want with it.

By figuring what you want to do, here is some, but not all they ways you could do it with a stamp & a relay. Use the output from the controller to power the stamp, no batteries needed. The relay controls the dc to the train.

#1, use just the stamp & relay, with the on and off intervals programmed into the eeprom. Cheap, but if they want to change the intervals, somebody has to reprogram it.

#2, use either digital dials to set the intervals in minutes or use a LCD and three switches, up, down, and enter. LCD's are expensive. The advantage is now they have freedom to choose their intervals.

#3, use #2 with either a photocell or a reed switch on the train, so the train will go until it hits that section of track, stop for x amount of time, and start up again, etc. This way it stops in a place out of sight, or have like a passenger train stop at a station. +-) The difference between the two, is the photocell/reed relay circuit, and a little different programming. You could in fact go from #1 to #2, to #3, just by changing the programming, and external circuits.

[Anonymous]

I'll work on it. Just need a little time. Shold be making a little trip to the museum with the kids this up comming week. Jamie

[Anonymous]

Hello Jamie, thanks for the reply. I think the best type of timer for this project is one that is fully automatic. The less the operator has to do the better.It's going in a dentists office, around a wall/shelf track. Mainly for patients benifit. I would appreciate any info on either type though.
Thaks again, Andrew

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm not sure were to get them but I will check around for you, but I have seen in museums and for certian diplays were you (the observer) just push a button on the side of the layout and the train runs for a few minutes then shuts down. They used them for years at a local display near me. I'm sure that they are mechanicaly ran timers because of there age. Is this something that you might be looking for. If so I will check around for you. Let me know. Jamie

[Anonymous]

Thank you Lawrece, I'll check it out. I'm do not know much about the set up you described. This will be a G-scale loop in a doctors office, so I'm not sure if it will be too much for him to use. thank you for your reply.
Andrew.

[Capdiamont]

I'm assuming that you want to run 1 train on a single loop. I can't recall any mech. timer that is built to allow 5 to 10 min intervals.
One possibility is to use a microcontroller such as a Basic Stamp http://www.parallaxinc.com/
One of the applications for a Basic Stamp on their website is to control a model train. It isn't hard to program. I can create such a program for you to download to your own stamp. it doesn't care what size models you are controlling, as long as the relay you use can control it, or transistor, etc, without putting too much load on the chips.

[Anonymous]

I'm setting up a G scale train in an office, looking for advice/recomendations for timers for running train on 5 to 10 min. intervals. If either type exists is it better to have the timer control transform(120v) or after transformer(track power) Thanks for any info. A. Cloherty.