coreyg Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Well, I finished my 3rd generation Lego 9v Train Controller. It uses an Arduino pro mini on a breadboard connected to a bluetooth module. It uses h-bridges to control up to 16 switches and buck converters (basically just a variable DC power source) to supply power to the train tracks. Since these can't supply reversible power, I had to add a relay to switch directions and another relay to power it off (ok, it's much, much more complex than I thought it'd be when I started) but seeing the voltage is COOL! Of course, you may be asking what the first 2 generations was... The 1st generation used H-bridges and worked wonderfully except for a higher than normal percentage of train motors dying. The 2nd generation used power op-amps and worked mostly for a while. It had issues with having power go through a breadboard. Actually, the breadboard never melted like I thought it might, but it did have too much resistance which hurt the voltage out as the current went up. The op-amps however were getting a bit hot even with some good sized heatsinks. so, here it is in it's (hopefully) final glory: Feel free to call me nuts for doing this, but it's really cool switching trains out on a tablet (or a cell phone)! Quote
dr_spock Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Cool. You could use a fan to help with cooling if necessary. Or maybe hook up a PC liquid cooling system with fancy lights. Do you have train detection? Quote
coreyg Posted May 26, 2015 Author Posted May 26, 2015 No train detection on this controller yet. I have a trolley controller that uses reed switches to detect when to change directions but that's a separate design. I plan to add train crossing with lights/guard coming down to this but I've spent far more time than I expected just getting this controller to work good. Of course, this version has not been used in a show yet, so I'll know next weekend after our Phx Comicon display on whether this is a workable design. Quote
AlmightyArjen Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Wow nice work, love it! I always wanted to develop a SCADA system for trains, looks really nice! Quote
Q3671 Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) lol, i keep it simple, 2 trains, 4 switches, full auto, back and forwards, 5 to 20 sec waiting in train station. one of the trains leaving random the train station. the construction is mobile. µ btw, your project is nice, love it Edited May 26, 2015 by Q3671 Quote
coreyg Posted May 26, 2015 Author Posted May 26, 2015 lol, i keep it simple, 2 trains, 4 switches, full auto, back and forwards, 5 to 20 sec waiting in train station. one of the trains leaving random the train station. the construction is mobile. What are you using to supply the voltage? My first gen trolley system used an EV3 with a pole reverser and a standard Lego 9v train controller but I wanted to change the voltage (increased power to get the train started but slow down once moving). I didn't think the EV3 could supply enough current to drive the train but I've heard of other people using an NXT to supply the power directly. Quote
THERIZE Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 W wait a sec, if I am right you basically made a controller for your trains on a tablet? Thats epic! Quote
Q3671 Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 What are you using to supply the voltage? 3X lego 9v= , 4548 speed regulator Quote
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