Jump to content


Electric Switch Tracks Set


76 replies to this topic

#1 deejay

deejay

    Posts: 30
    Joined: 15-February 11
    Member: 16002
    Country: Germany

Posted 15 February 2011 - 12:50 AM

Hallo, ich habe ein Set gebaut um die Legoweichen auf elektrische Stellmotoren umzurüsten.


#2 TheBrickster

TheBrickster

  • Loved Ghost Ranger


    Posts: 9642
    Joined: 15-January 05
    Member: 174

Posted 15 February 2011 - 01:09 AM

Deejay: welcome to Eurobricks, but this is an English speaking forum.  I'll go ahead and leave this topic open if you care to discuss in English.

#3 hoeij

hoeij

    Posts: 472
    Joined: 12-May 10
    Member: 10641

Posted 15 February 2011 - 04:57 AM

View Postdeejay, on 15 February 2011 - 12:50 AM, said:

Hallo, ich habe ein Set gebaut um die Legoweichen auf elektrische Stellmotoren umzurüsten.

Where can we get these motors?

#4 feilo

feilo

    Posts: 2
    Joined: 25-November 10
    Member: 14375

Posted 15 February 2011 - 07:35 AM

View Postdeejay, on 15 February 2011 - 12:50 AM, said:

Hallo, ich habe ein Set gebaut um die Legoweichen auf elektrische Stellmotoren umzurüsten.


Good Job!!!

Where can we find/buy these motors/switches?  Is it a DIY?  Can you show us how to build?

Thanks

#5 marsupilami

marsupilami

    Posts: 29
    Joined: 25-January 11
    Member: 15636

Posted 15 February 2011 - 07:54 PM

Sieht gut aus :-)

Love the compact design. Any chance of sharing what's inside?

Edited by marsupilami, 15 February 2011 - 07:55 PM.


#6 Stash2Sixx

Stash2Sixx

  • I am not a girl!


    Posts: 2551
    Joined: 02-May 08
    Member: 3094
    Country: US of A

Posted 15 February 2011 - 08:45 PM

If this guy does not respond, can anyone tell me what language this is so I can try to find someone who is able to communicate with deejay?

Some people are like slinkies.  They're not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs! -Anonymous

"Life's tough...It's even tougher if you're stupid" - John Wayne



Got Questions? Need help? New member?Read the site guidelines    
Index of helpful tutorials

flickr

#7 Holodoc

Holodoc

  • Welcoming assassin


    Posts: 3480
    Joined: 24-November 06
    Member: 1094
    Country: Germany

Posted 15 February 2011 - 08:54 PM

View PostStash2Sixx, on 15 February 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

If this guy does not respond, can anyone tell me what language this is so I can try to find someone who is able to communicate with deejay?
It is German.

View Postdeejay, on 15 February 2011 - 12:50 AM, said:

Hallo, ich habe ein Set gebaut um die Legoweichen auf elektrische Stellmotoren umzurüsten.

Translation: "Hello, I have built a set to make the switches work with electric motors."

Pretty cool I have to add! :wub:
Would you please explain how you did mechanism behind the grey box?
And if it doesn't work to reply in English please send me a PM. (Falls die Sprache ein Problem darstellt, schicke mir bitte eine Nachricht oder eine mail)

Days to Eurobricks' event #9 in Günzburg: 11


#8 marsupilami

marsupilami

    Posts: 29
    Joined: 25-January 11
    Member: 15636

Posted 15 February 2011 - 09:06 PM

I believe he used step motors, but I'd love to see what size. See http://en.wikipedia....i/Stepper_motor for more info on step motors...

This is by far the most compact design for remote controlled RC/9V switches I have seen so far.

#9 peterab

peterab

  • Whacking witch hunter


    Posts: 1134
    Joined: 03-August 09
    Member: 6893
    Country: Australia

Posted 16 February 2011 - 04:26 AM

View PostHolodoc, on 15 February 2011 - 08:54 PM, said:

And if it doesn't work to reply in English please send me a PM. (Falls die Sprache ein Problem darstellt, schicke mir bitte eine Nachricht oder eine mail)

Holodoc, would you mind emailing him, his email is in the video. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this is important enough not to be allowed to escape. I'm sure there are a lot of train fans that would love to know what he's using. Ask him for some internal photo's and the parts he's using.

#10 stacker9000

stacker9000

  • Likes His Maersk Moonshine


    Posts: 100
    Joined: 11-January 11
    Member: 15328
    Country: U.S.A.

Posted 16 February 2011 - 04:40 AM

Those are AWESOME!!  Please get this guy to give a parts list and hopefully instructions!!
Posted Image                     Posted Image                    Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image

#11 Treadwah

Treadwah

    Posts: 48
    Joined: 27-November 10
    Member: 14394

Posted 16 February 2011 - 07:34 AM

mmmm now add in PF/IR control

#12 Holodoc

Holodoc

  • Welcoming assassin


    Posts: 3480
    Joined: 24-November 06
    Member: 1094
    Country: Germany

Posted 16 February 2011 - 09:50 AM

View Postpeterab, on 16 February 2011 - 04:26 AM, said:

Holodoc, would you mind emailing him, his email is in the video. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this is important enough not to be allowed to escape. I'm sure there are a lot of train fans that would love to know what he's using. Ask him for some internal photo's and the parts he's using.

I did, but I wanted to give him some time to explain it himself. Posted Image
So much for now: Deejay is selling his invention:
EDIT: TLC asked deejay not to sell his creation, or better, they insisted in doing so. Deejay then asked me to remove the details here.

But let's wait and see what deejay is going to say.

Days to Eurobricks' event #9 in Günzburg: 11


#13 deejay

deejay

    Posts: 30
    Joined: 15-February 11
    Member: 16002
    Country: Germany

Posted 16 February 2011 - 11:14 AM

Okay, sorry. Now i try my best in English. (It´s not the Best) :)
There is a little micromotor inside. It is only switched the polarity.
Without limit because the switches are momentary.
It´s a lot of work. When you are interested you can call me.
When i have time, i´ll post some Pictures.

#14 peterab

peterab

  • Whacking witch hunter


    Posts: 1134
    Joined: 03-August 09
    Member: 6893
    Country: Australia

Posted 16 February 2011 - 11:24 AM

View PostHolodoc, on 16 February 2011 - 09:50 AM, said:

I did, but I wanted to give him some time to explain it himself. Posted Image
Thanks for your efforts.

View PostHolodoc, on 16 February 2011 - 09:50 AM, said:

So much for now: Deejay is selling his invention: Control panel + expansion kit for 4 switches + 4 motors = 120€. The components can also be ordered individually.

Ouch, I don't think I can afford that. It appears to be a nice system though, so I guess some people will. I'll pin my hopes on a more open community development.

#15 ZueriHB

ZueriHB

    Posts: 205
    Joined: 13-January 10
    Member: 9062
    Country: Switzerland

Posted 16 February 2011 - 12:59 PM

I'm quite interested in those micromotors, would buy them for that price. A group-buy would be great.
But If you could post some pictures of the inside, it'll be easier to judge if it's worth it.

But it would be great if there would be a more standard way of connecting them, or / and a wireless solution (Not necessarily compatible with the PF IR system.
Posted ImagePosted Image
Posted Image

#16 Seany

Seany

    Posts: 21
    Joined: 24-November 10
    Member: 14359

Posted 16 February 2011 - 01:02 PM

I do really like this, small, and very simple!  And not too intrusive for larger loco's passing the points.

That said 120€ price tag is not terrible, but it is a lot, expecially considering you would need 2, 3 or probably more of these for a reasonble sized layout

I would be interested in how long the cabling is, although looking at it I'm sure that is easily extended with some simple speaker wire.  I would prefer if the switches were a little more clunky, more like a light switch?

Some very nice ideas to take away from this though.

Edited by Seany, 16 February 2011 - 01:04 PM.


#17 Stash2Sixx

Stash2Sixx

  • I am not a girl!


    Posts: 2551
    Joined: 02-May 08
    Member: 3094
    Country: US of A

Posted 16 February 2011 - 11:43 PM

Deejay, thanks for the response.  And don't worry, your English is better than some of the native speakers on this board.

I see there are many of us that are interested in these.  Any more videos you are able to supply?  And I agree with others, I think one set is great, but 2 of these would be ideal for a layout containing a yard.

When you said momentary, I was confused.  Does that mean the switch will revert back, or does it stay in the position until switched again?

Please keep us updated on this project of yours.  These switches are amazing!

Some people are like slinkies.  They're not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs! -Anonymous

"Life's tough...It's even tougher if you're stupid" - John Wayne



Got Questions? Need help? New member?Read the site guidelines    
Index of helpful tutorials

flickr

#18 peterab

peterab

  • Whacking witch hunter


    Posts: 1134
    Joined: 03-August 09
    Member: 6893
    Country: Australia

Posted 17 February 2011 - 01:38 AM

View PostStash2Sixx, on 16 February 2011 - 11:43 PM, said:

When you said momentary, I was confused.  Does that mean the switch will revert back, or does it stay in the position until switched again?

Momentary switches come in a few types, either ones where the current flows only while you hold them in place, or ones which only allow a pulse of current while the switch is being thrown which I think are the type being used here. In any case its one of the technical descriptions used when describing a switch. Momentary normally implies a longer pulse than say electronics would produce, somewhere between 1ms and 1s.

View PostStash2Sixx, on 16 February 2011 - 11:43 PM, said:

Please keep us updated on this project of yours.  These switches are amazing!

I agree, I'm still interested in how they work.

Edited by peterab, 17 February 2011 - 01:39 AM.


#19 deejay

deejay

    Posts: 30
    Joined: 15-February 11
    Member: 16002
    Country: Germany

Posted 18 February 2011 - 01:10 AM

Pictures coming soon. :)
In the Moment i have only my own Control Panel. It looks a little bit different. It´s with 8 switches. But at the weekend i take Pictures.
Which Standard way connection do you prefer zuerihb? Infraredconnection is for me not possible. :)
Only the wired Connection. There are only D-Sub pins in a Lego Bracket. You can change the Wire with your own lengths. I have only about 1,5m.
Seany: what do you mean with clunky?
The Switch revert back, but the Tracks keep in his position. =>  The Switches are: up(groping) Tracks left, middle stay, down (groping) Tracks right
I am glad that you liked my conversion ;)

#20 ZueriHB

ZueriHB

    Posts: 205
    Joined: 13-January 10
    Member: 9062
    Country: Switzerland

Posted 18 February 2011 - 09:19 AM

View Postdeejay, on 18 February 2011 - 01:10 AM, said:

Pictures coming soon. :)
In the Moment i have only my own Control Panel. It looks a little bit different. It´s with 8 switches. But at the weekend i take Pictures.
Which Standard way connection do you prefer zuerihb? Infraredconnection is for me not possible. :)
Only the wired Connection. There are only D-Sub pins in a Lego Bracket. You can change the Wire with your own lengths. I have only about 1,5m.
Seany: what do you mean with clunky?
The Switch revert back, but the Tracks keep in his position. =>  The Switches are: up(groping) Tracks left, middle stay, down (groping) Tracks right
I am glad that you liked my conversion ;)

Standard as in a plug / socket combination which already exists, I don't care if it's a 12v compatible cable or those little plugs model railroader use.

Will it be possible to reverse the polarity, to configure it more to the needs of the layout? (i.e. Press Up for switching to the track further apart from the user.)
Posted ImagePosted Image
Posted Image

#21 Seany

Seany

    Posts: 21
    Joined: 24-November 10
    Member: 14359

Posted 18 February 2011 - 09:34 AM

View Postdeejay, on 18 February 2011 - 01:10 AM, said:

Seany: what do you mean with clunky?
By clunky I mean something a bit more solid for use, as a picture says a thousand words:
Posted Image
Really its only so I can include the children if they want to play, their little fingers could use something like that much easier.
I missed out on the other eras and started with PF/RC so something like this is brilliant!

#22 locoworks

locoworks

    Posts: 104
    Joined: 16-October 10
    Member: 13767

Posted 18 February 2011 - 10:51 PM

i think the key part is the little actuator on the point. the box and switches is nicely done, but could be extended or done more compactly to have as many switches as you have points. job well done. as some folks would likely run out of colours it may be an idea to use numbered tiles instead.

#23 LEGO Train 12 Volts

LEGO Train 12 Volts

    Posts: 2646
    Joined: 31-October 09
    Member: 8037
    Country: Italy

Posted 19 February 2011 - 07:31 AM

Amazing design, so simple but also so clever! :thumbup:
May we see the inside structure Deejay?  :blush:

Posted Image   Posted Image

#24 deejay

deejay

    Posts: 30
    Joined: 15-February 11
    Member: 16002
    Country: Germany

Posted 19 February 2011 - 11:14 AM

So, here are some Pictures. The second is the Controlpanel from my little son. I have 8 Switches inside.
The first Picture shows the Switch. I think it´s clunky enough. :) My Kidz can used them good.

Attached Images

  • schalter.jpg
  • 8 Motore mit Pult klein.jpg

Edited by deejay, 03 May 2011 - 06:51 PM.


#25 LEGO Train 12 Volts

LEGO Train 12 Volts

    Posts: 2646
    Joined: 31-October 09
    Member: 8037
    Country: Italy

Posted 19 February 2011 - 06:21 PM

View Postdeejay, on 19 February 2011 - 11:14 AM, said:

So, here are some Pictures. The first is the Controlpanel from my little son. I have 8 Switches inside.
The Second Picture is the micromotor who ist inside the Switch.
The Third Picture shows the Switch. I think it´s clunky enough. :) My Kidz can used them good.
And the last Picture show my drilling device that everything is equal and sized perfect. :)

Oh finally Deejay,
thanks for sharing!  :classic:
I use the same switches for my signals on blind tracks

Posted Image

Nice music in your videos!  :tongue:
Posted Image   Posted Image



Reply to this topic



  


0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users