Subject:
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Re: New Creations: Remote Switch, Remote Decoupler, End of Line Bumper
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Thu, 30 Jan 2003 02:17:42 GMT
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Viewed:
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1113 times
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In lugnet.trains, Rick Clark writes:
> > Automatic Switch House
> > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=32202
> > (After Moderation)
>
>
> Nice design! Haven't built it yet, but it looks rather elegant. The only
> thing is that you may find that if you're using MindStorms to control
> the point, it is difficult to keep the motor on long enough to throw the
> switch, and short enough to keep from tearing the housing apart. Or have
> you tested it for this already?
>
> A great stress test was proposed to me by fellow PNLTC member Steve
> Barille: Cycle the switch 100 times, leaving the motor on for one full
> second in each direction. If the housing is still intact at the end, you
> have a winner! (Of course, if you're operating the remote switch
> manually, this is less of an issue.)
I am controlling it it with the RCX. So far I have let it run about 100 or
more times in a row. The housing stays intact and the switch cycles. I
have it set so when it receives Message 1 from the remote it operates for
2.75 seconds. It is just enough time to switch completly. The only issue
is about every 27 times or so the message has to be sent twice to get it to
cycle properly. Still tweeking the setup.
> > End of the Line Bumper with Flashing Light
> > About a week ago Rob Hendrix posted a set of instructions for his end of
> > the line bumper (http://news.lugnet.com/inst/?n=242). I took his version
> > and added a flashing light to the top.
> >
> > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=32201
> > (After Moderation)
>
>
> The only problem with this design is that it is not functional. Well, it
> is, but crashing into it puts a good deal of stress on the train's
> magnet housing (which is a bit delicate), instead of on the train's
> bumpers (which are quite sturdy). Add a pokey-out thing [1] on each side
> of the bumper and you will eliminate any potential magnet damage.
I had noticed some strain when the magnet housing hit the block. I hadn't
thought about having two "pokey-out" things from the front. I will have to
give some thought to that. Thanks for the suggestion.
>
> > Automatic Decoupler
> > I did some digging looking for any designs people had done of an automatic
> > decoupler. I found Martin Legault's design
> > (http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=16347) and
> > Rick Clark's design (http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=18638).
> > I then set out to build my own. It works quite well. It is fantastic not
> > to have to take the train apart by hand.
>
>
> Thanks for the cite, but don't underestimate the benefits of manual
> uncoupling, either. I use a manual uncoupling tool for most (all) of my
> switching. It is much more prototypical in that you can uncouple
> wherever you want, instead of being locked into set locations. I waxed
> poetic about it here:
> http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=16315
I did read your eloquently stated post about manual uncoupling. I agree the
manual method is adventagous for a normal layout. My thinking behind this
automatic method was for use in a totally automatic layout. That could just
continuously run.
> Again, welcome to Trains! It looks like you're well on your way. We'll
> expect more great things from you in the near future!
Thanks for the welcome!
Nate
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