My Ultimate Lego GBC Control Center

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I've been working on this project far longer than I'd like to admit, I'm bad about getting distracted by shiny objects .  This is my Ultimate GBC Control Center v1.  Using the DACTA Control Lab and official software (because of course I did).  TLDR video at the end of the post showing the control center and GBC layout.
 

 

The DACTA Control Lab controls mechanical "relays" that control the air and power supply to the layout.  Complete with an E stop function that turns everything off in a fraction of a second (soon to have a physical button as well as the button on the interface).  Each train regulator (two of which are modified with the LM350 regulator to supply more power) has a temperature sensor that is read by the Control Center and presented on-screen.  There is also a simple ball counter using a light sensor.  For many reasons I doubt I'd ever take my creations to a Lego Convention.  This is just for use at home.  I'll admit it's a bit of a strange project but it was an absolute blast to build.  I'm still on version 1, I have several ideas for the future moving forward.
 

 

This is the GBC layout so far, featuring builds from Akiyuki, Fernando Q, KINbricks, Pinwheel and Nonsense Wars (Both Pikohan and 4barLinkage).  I'm still fairly new to building GBC but this has been a great introduction to starting to build my own modules.  In the beginning of this project I was just going to make a marble machine employing some GBC concepts but I've truly fallen in love with the standard.  Anything I build in the future will stick to it. Maybe I'll even try my hand at making instructions if I create anything that is good enough to justify it  .  A huge thanks to all the builders featured here as well as any GBC builder that uploads their instructions for free.  This is such a cool community.  It has to be a cool feeling to see their builds all over the world.  If you have any suggestions or questions feel free to comment below!  Play well!

 

 

[Lasse D]

Now that's an impressive battle station!

Has the Control Center ever given you trouble by turning off by itself? Having to "re-code" it on startup is what makes me not consider it in displays for layouts, but given your insights into these electronic devices, you might have a solution there.

You also appear to have been making your own power supplies. Are you running them on DC power? I am holding off on that due to not wanting to burn any bridges, but my hesitation might be premature.

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7 hours ago, Lasse D said:

Now that's an impressive battle station!

Has the Control Center ever given you trouble by turning off by itself? Having to "re-code" it on startup is what makes me not consider it in displays for layouts, but given your insights into these electronic devices, you might have a solution there.

You also appear to have been making your own power supplies. Are you running them on DC power? I am holding off on that due to not wanting to burn any bridges, but my hesitation might be premature.

Thanks!  In true BPB fashion I posted a thread and forgot to follow it .

The Control Center can lose connection to the PC causing the software to hang, in this case the GBC layout would run as normal but couldn't be shut off until the software was reset.  All the programming and control is done by the PC, there is no need to re-code unless there are unsaved changes made before a crash.  The DACTA Control Lab is really just a glorified serial interface.  Much like my power supply is just a glorified distribution box.  It is just a large 12VAC (5 amp max) transformer in an enclosure with a fuse, switch and several barrel jacks.  I have heard of damaged RCX units running off DC, which is why I've always preferred to use AC power and not overload two of the diodes in the bridge rectifier.  The train regulators are probably fine, but I power many different Lego devices with this supply (Technic Control Center, NXT rechargeable batteries, the Control Lab itself etc.) so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

There is only one Lego convention in my city and it is fairly small and only on its second year.  There was no GBC when I went last year.  I also need to be somewhat available for work most of the time and have mobility issues due to back problems / sciatica.  So my creations being "show ready" aren't really a concern.  I just like to have fun and share them in videos.

If you haven't seen @diegobaca's GBC Tower it used the Control Lab (or multiples in version 2) to control each of the motors individually (and even at varying power levels).  I've made a video showing some of the third party software options with the Control Lab including two of his.

Personally I really love the first party Lego software and I'm sure many are seeing it for the first time in my videos.  I first saw the Control Lab as a kid in the 90's but didn't get a chance to use the actual software until last year, thanks to members of this forum.

[Fyredog]

Question on the opposing motors that drive one of your compressors.  Do you have to reverse the polarity inside the connector?

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52 minutes ago, Fyredog said:

Question on the opposing motors that drive one of your compressors.  Do you have to reverse the polarity inside the connector?

I probably will on the compressor using the XL motors (I'll make a short jumper that will reverse polarity instead of modifying the connectors on the motor), for now it uses the polarity switch for one of the motors.  The compressor using the L motors are connected on opposing axles so the gearing accomplishes the reversing needed.