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I won’t bother to link pics here ‘cause it always takes me at least 3 tries to
embedden ‘em...
Anyway, with much further ado, here’s my latest POC--
Externally powered monorail!!
Pics at Flickr--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparky1701/sets/72157625215012881/
Vids at YouTube--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObezX7KuIS8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gGG5fnvC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwPJAfeP75I
So a few things--the copepr tape is a little stretchable, so after the first
disaster of laying down the tape on the curves (soooo amny bumps and folds!!), I
got the hang (mostly) of it and the copper tape on the subsequent curves are
pretty smooth. Janey gave me good ideas with the cutting and overlapping from
stain glass working, but the tape can strrrrretch a wee bit to accomodate the
curves without issue.
I haven’t taped up a ramp part (should be no issue) and will try to some evening
this week.
I also havent’ tried a switch track. First, because I’m loathe to use switches
in a display layout now--they just get worn way too fast at a show, and I
haven’t quite figured out how to cross the copper at the juncture. I have some
ideas and maybe I’ll experiment, but since I don’t use switches in display
layouts too much, it’s low on the priorities.
I tried to get some good LEGO geometry going to connect the 9v train power
connectors to the monorail track. No go--the power connectors don’t conform to
a good LEGG geometry :( For now, I’ll just solder the power connector wires to
the copper tape and go with that.
But the big news is that since the monorail can run off a LEGO train controller,
it can (wait for it)... be RCX’ed...
OMG! stops without using monorail stop switches. Variable speeds!!!
Yeah, I’m pretty excited.
I’ll try to have at least 1 full loop up at our next show in two weeks.
I’ll keep ya all informed as I go.
Dave K
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
I won’t bother to link pics here ‘cause it always takes me at least 3 tries
to embedden ‘em...
Anyway, with much further ado, here’s my latest POC--
Externally powered monorail!!
|
Snipped.
| |
But the big news is that since the monorail can run off a LEGO train
controller, it can (wait for it)... be RCX’ed...
|
This is going to be awesome... good luck with the progress, cant wait to see the
final working of this project.
GOOOOO Dave!
Janey “Red Brick”
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
Externally powered monorail!!
|
Woah, that’s pretty cool! How does it handle any start/stops that it encounters?
I assume that the switch on the motor wasn’t actually disengaged, so it it needs
to be out to the left or right in order to work?
DaveE
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Eaton wrote:
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
Externally powered monorail!!
|
Woah, that’s pretty cool! How does it handle any start/stops that it
encounters? I assume that the switch on the motor wasn’t actually disengaged,
so it it needs to be out to the left or right in order to work?
DaveE
|
Haven’t put a start/stop in, and they were out of the plan anyway....
But I’ll try copper taping one soon--there’s somethign niggling in my mind that
if you left the transformer on full in one direction, that the monorail switch
would work as it always does--stopping if the switch is centered, and reversing
if it’s opposite.
I also want to try a heavy/long monorail train like i use in our shows to see if
it runs any better.
Dave K
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|
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Eaton wrote:
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
Externally powered monorail!!
|
Woah, that’s pretty cool! How does it handle any start/stops that it
encounters? I assume that the switch on the motor wasn’t actually
disengaged, so it it needs to be out to the left or right in order to work?
DaveE
|
Haven’t put a start/stop in, and they were out of the plan anyway....
But I’ll try copper taping one soon--there’s somethign niggling in my mind
that if you left the transformer on full in one direction, that the monorail
switch would work as it always does--stopping if the switch is centered, and
reversing if it’s opposite.
I also want to try a heavy/long monorail train like i use in our shows to see
if it runs any better.
Dave K
|
I did forget to mentinon ,though you can see it in the pics on Flickr, that the
brushes for the power pickup almost make the monorail run in 1 direction
only-just like the slot cars... if the monorail runs the other way, the brushes
will get caught on stuff.
I am trying to come up woth something to prevent that--I remember teh smaller
slot cars had metal floating pads for power pickups instead of wire brushes, but
I can’t find any or come up with a suitable replacement.
If I could get the metal floating pads for a power pickup, then it won’t matter
which direction the monorail is going.
I’ll ruminate on that one and get back to you.
Dave K
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Dave,
I am so proud to say I know you. You sir are amazing.
I would also like to anounce to the comunity that I got to see Dave build his
first working prototype at the hobby show.
I should also point out that at 6pm, I told him he had to stop playing with that
no good train stuff, and get back to work striking the show.
And here is the result.
:)
Chris
A 0
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
I won’t bother to link pics here ‘cause it always takes me at least 3 tries
to embedden ‘em...
Anyway, with much further ado, here’s my latest POC--
Externally powered monorail!!
Pics at Flickr--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparky1701/sets/72157625215012881/
Vids at YouTube--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObezX7KuIS8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gGG5fnvC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwPJAfeP75I
So a few things--the copepr tape is a little stretchable, so after the first
disaster of laying down the tape on the curves (soooo amny bumps and
folds!!), I got the hang (mostly) of it and the copper tape on the subsequent
curves are pretty smooth. Janey gave me good ideas with the cutting and
overlapping from stain glass working, but the tape can strrrrretch a wee bit
to accomodate the curves without issue.
I haven’t taped up a ramp part (should be no issue) and will try to some
evening this week.
I also havent’ tried a switch track. First, because I’m loathe to use
switches in a display layout now--they just get worn way too fast at a show,
and I haven’t quite figured out how to cross the copper at the juncture. I
have some ideas and maybe I’ll experiment, but since I don’t use switches in
display layouts too much, it’s low on the priorities.
I tried to get some good LEGO geometry going to connect the 9v train power
connectors to the monorail track. No go--the power connectors don’t conform
to a good LEGG geometry :( For now, I’ll just solder the power connector
wires to the copper tape and go with that.
But the big news is that since the monorail can run off a LEGO train
controller, it can (wait for it)... be RCX’ed...
OMG! stops without using monorail stop switches. Variable speeds!!!
Yeah, I’m pretty excited.
I’ll try to have at least 1 full loop up at our next show in two weeks.
I’ll keep ya all informed as I go.
Dave K
|
|
|
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
Externally powered monorail!!
|
Totally awesome, Dave! I sent a link to my son, Ross (who is currently attending
college); you will soon become, I predict, his new hero! :-)
Well played.
JOHN
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, John Neal wrote:
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
Externally powered monorail!!
|
Totally awesome, Dave! I sent a link to my son, Ross (who is currently
attending college); you will soon become, I predict, his new hero! :-)
Well played.
JOHN
|
Thanks!
I think the pics cover how ‘easy’ it is to convert the monorail bogeys for power
pickups (going to the hobby store today for more inspiration), but if Ross or
you (or anyone) has any questions or want additional info, just let me know.
I had an expanded layout running all last night with no issues at all. My main
goal right now (besides taping up loads of track), is to come up with a better
power pickup system on the bogeys--the wire brushes work well, but I’m still
concerned about the reversing--the brushes get a little discombobulated...
Whilst your son is attending college, mine is doing somewhat more, shall we say,
trivial tasks...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=524IyDDO9X8
(or helping daddy test his latest endeavour...)
Dave K
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, Chris Magno wrote:
| |
Dave,
I am so proud to say I know you. You sir are amazing.
|
Thanks--I only seem that way ‘cause I’m always inspired by the amazing people I
hang out with...
| |
I would also like to anounce to the comunity that I got to see Dave build
his first working prototype at the hobby show.
I should also point out that at 6pm, I told him he had to stop playing with
that no good train stuff, and get back to work striking the show.
And here is the result.
:)
Chris
A 0
|
Why yes... yes yo did get us to strike the show...
Then I went home and did this as a result...
So, in a way, Chris is totally responsible for this...
:)
I blame Chris!
On a side note, one of our friends took a length of copper home to test on the
new plastic train track. Hopefully he’ll get back to us on the result. I’d do
it but i’m a little distracted by POWERED MONORAIL, BABY!!!
Dave K
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
| |
I won’t bother to link pics here ‘cause it always takes me at least 3 tries
to embedden ‘em...
Anyway, with much further ado, here’s my latest POC--
Externally powered monorail!!
Pics at Flickr--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparky1701/sets/72157625215012881/
Vids at YouTube--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObezX7KuIS8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gGG5fnvC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwPJAfeP75I
So a few things--the copepr tape is a little stretchable, so after the first
disaster of laying down the tape on the curves (soooo amny bumps and
folds!!), I got the hang (mostly) of it and the copper tape on the
subsequent curves are pretty smooth. Janey gave me good ideas with the
cutting and overlapping from stain glass working, but the tape can
strrrrretch a wee bit to accomodate the curves without issue.
I haven’t taped up a ramp part (should be no issue) and will try to some
evening this week.
I also havent’ tried a switch track. First, because I’m loathe to use
switches in a display layout now--they just get worn way too fast at a show,
and I haven’t quite figured out how to cross the copper at the juncture. I
have some ideas and maybe I’ll experiment, but since I don’t use switches in
display layouts too much, it’s low on the priorities.
I tried to get some good LEGO geometry going to connect the 9v train power
connectors to the monorail track. No go--the power connectors don’t conform
to a good LEGG geometry :( For now, I’ll just solder the power connector
wires to the copper tape and go with that.
But the big news is that since the monorail can run off a LEGO train
controller, it can (wait for it)... be RCX’ed...
OMG! stops without using monorail stop switches. Variable speeds!!!
Yeah, I’m pretty excited.
I’ll try to have at least 1 full loop up at our next show in two weeks.
I’ll keep ya all informed as I go.
Dave K
|
|
|
|
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
WOW! That is awesome. I am going to have to try this sometime in the future. I
will suggest some HO pick-up shoes for the power though. Not sure if those would work without
some more invasive modding though. I would be loath to make any permanent mods
myself. Overall I would say well played sir, well played indeed.
-Mike Petrucelli
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In lugnet.org.ca.obb, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
| |
In lugnet.org.ca.obb, David Koudys wrote:
WOW! That is awesome. I am going to have to try this sometime in the future.
I will suggest some
HO pick-up
shoes for the power though.
|
Picked some up today and have been experimenting--as of now, the wire brushes
are better--the bogey doesn’t accomodeate the shoes nicely without some heavy
mods...
i’ll keep playing. though!
Not sure if those would work without some more
| |
invasive modding though. I would be loath to make any permanent mods myself.
Overall I would say well played sir, well played indeed.
|
Thanks! I;m having fun with it!
Dave K
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