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Showing results for tags 'bricktracks'.
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Hi community, The BrickTracks R104 switches are already a while available on the market and the FX switches will follow soon. I ordered some FX switches, (I have only 9V track) and was wondering if someone already automated his switches using any kind of automation, using servos or anything else. I am completely aware that the driving mechanism of the BrickTracks switches are different than the FX switches (Rotate versus slide motion), so any idea is welcome. My switches will be placed on MILS modules, so there is some space to use a servo, just not knowing how to do so. The experience I have with the servo's on my level crossing controlled by an Arduino UNO are a bit strange. When the controller gets initialized, the servo's are 'flying' full in one direction (using the servo library), and If not proper controlled I guess that the driving mechanism of the switch will be destroyed if this happen. Knowing this behaviour, I guess also that it is recommended to set the switches in a kind of 'start' position before the servos are initialized, this should be executed before the end of an event. Anyone out there who have more experience with servo's and their behaviour who are willing to share it here? The do's and dont's, the pitfalls, ... Thanks in advance. Ludo
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The last 2 weekends NILTC has participated in shows, first at the Abbey in Fontana WI and last weekend at the Arlington Heights (IL) Library. We were given the first prototype R104 double crossover from Coaster to try out. Ballasting was straight forward as seen here: The track is sitting on 2 32x32 and 1 16x32 baseplates for a total of 80x32. I was nervous at first because the flanges of the train wheels were bottoming out. This could have been a problem because we had the crossover on the mains but this only seemed to be happening when the trains were switching lines. When we ran the trains on the straights there was no problem. As the show went on, we saw less and less issues with the trains switching lines. It was like the tracks just needed a breaking in period.I created a video from my phone of the different trains going over the crossover at the Abbey show. It got to the point I wanted to see how fast I could do the crossing and with the exception of the CoNO, speed did not seem to be a problem. Overall I am pleased with the crossover and look forward to Coaster's next iteration, which will have more studs on the stringers. Coaster, I saw in another thread that Shapeways does a polished 3D print. Would that be an option here? Thanks to the CrispyBassist CMF for collecting all the telemetry data.
