Subject:
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Re: Motorized Switch using Monkey Motor
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains, lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 9 Sep 2004 17:07:31 GMT
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Viewed:
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1816 times
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
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In lugnet.trains, Mark Riley wrote:
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Hi All,
Here’s an update of one of my
earlier motorized
switch designs. This design utilizes the new-style monkey(1) motor
instead of the traditional Technic mini motor:
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(snip)
Thanks for the update! Nice job on the renders for the instructions, by the
way...
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Glad you like them!
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Question: does this require switch modification to de-stiffenize the
mechanism?
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No, all that is required is a standard unmodified switch. The motor has
more than enough torque to throw the switch. In fact, I recommend that
you feed a lower voltage to the motor as the motorized switch may(1) loosen up
over time if run with the full 9 volts. Here’s an excerpt from the notes.txt
file in my Brickshelf folder:
“When operating this switch, use a low power setting
on your power source. You can accomplish this by
using a train controller set to speed step 3 or 4.
You can then connect a polarity switch between the
train controller and the motorized switch for use as
your control lever. Or, to use an RCX as controller,
just use a ~50% power setting when activating the motor.”
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Also I assume that this motor is DCC-able using the technique you
demonstrated here: smart motor ?
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Yes, all that remains is to modify the LDCC firmware to be configured to use a
locomotive decoder (vs. a stationary decoder) when throwing a switch.
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That would be tres cool, remote controlled DCC switch with no receiver RCX
required and in fact, no external connectors of any sort.
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No more unsightly wires running all over the layout! All you need is a track
connector going to the switch motor. In fact, since I’ve already modified some
of my switches for DCC operation (i.e. both routes always powered), I plan on
adding a short wire to each switch for connection straight to the smart motor.
Mark
(1) I say “may” because the grip strength of Lego pieces vary. Sometimes the
switch will work indefinitely at full voltage, while another one might only
operate a few dozen times before self destructing. However, when using a lower
voltage, it holds together just fine. Supplying the lower voltage is easy since
we all tend to have lots of extra train controllers sitting around! :-)
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Motorized Switch using Monkey Motor
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| In lugnet.trains, Mark Riley wrote: <snip> (...) <snip> Oh My Goodness! I didn't even think of that! I've modified all my switches to have both sides powered, but gettting a 9v wire out to a DCC enabled switch motor--that's extraordinarily (...) (20 years ago, 9-Sep-04, to lugnet.trains, lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Motorized Switch using Monkey Motor
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| (...) (snip) Thanks for the update! Nice job on the renders for the instructions, by the way... Question: does this require switch modification to de-stiffenize the mechanism? Also I assume that this motor is DCC-able using the technique you (...) (20 years ago, 9-Sep-04, to lugnet.trains, lugnet.robotics, FTX)
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