To LUGNET HomepageTo LUGNET News HomepageTo LUGNET Guide Homepage
 Help on Searching
 
Post new message to lugnet.robotics.rcxOpen lugnet.robotics.rcx in your NNTP NewsreaderTo LUGNET News Traffic PageSign In (Members)
 Robotics / RCX / 2082
2081  |  2083
Subject: 
Re: DCC for the RCX
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.robotics.rcx, lugnet.trains
Date: 
Wed, 28 May 2003 16:57:02 GMT
Viewed: 
4105 times
  
In lugnet.robotics.rcx, Mark Riley wrote:
Hello All,

I've completed a new bit of firmware that enables the RCX
to act as a DCC Command Station.  For those who are not
familiar, DCC (short for Digital Command Control) is a means
of sending electrical signals over model railroad tracks to
control DCC equipped locomotives and accessories.

Here's the URL for the firmware download and all the
juicy details:

http://home.surewest.net/markril/lego/dcc/index.html

I'm interested in all feedback, especially with regards to
operation with the various types of DCC decoders.

PLMKWYT,

Mark

Oh My Goodness!  This is what I've been waiting for--when I priced out DCC
controllers, they were 200+ CDN...

If I can get one of my many RCX's to do it, well that's entirely another matter.

When I originally did the research and found the cost to be a little high, I
noticed that on (I think Todd's page) that there were capacitors and resistors
installed in teh LEGO train motor--the resistors to make sure that only 9v goes
to the power connector on the top of the motor, since most DCC controllers run
at 12 volts.  The capacitors were installed to decrease the 'buzzing' of the
motor at low speeds.

Now since hte RCX runs at 9v anyway, the resistor, as far as I understand, isn't
needed--the power output will already be at 9v.

What about the capacitors in the motor?  will they still be needed to reduce the
motor cycling 'buzzing' at low speeds?

I'm going to my local hobby shop this weekend (hopefully) and get me some of
those circuits!

Dave K



Message has 2 Replies:
  Re: DCC for the RCX
 
(...) As I run 12v stuff I dont know the 9v motor good enough to comment on the capacitors but I dont think it's that good an idea to use a resistor to drop the voltage. Use one or more (zener)diode's instead. Esger (21 years ago, 28-May-03, to lugnet.robotics.rcx, lugnet.trains)
  Re: DCC for the RCX
 
(...) I (...) resistors (...) goes (...) run (...) the (...) isn't (...) reduce the (...) David, When I installed my first decoders (Digitrax DN121), I omitted the capacitors, figuring if the buzzing was annoying, I could always add them later. As (...) (21 years ago, 28-May-03, to lugnet.robotics.rcx, lugnet.trains)

Message is in Reply To:
  DCC for the RCX
 
Hello All, I've completed a new bit of firmware that enables the RCX to act as a DCC Command Station. For those who are not familiar, DCC (short for Digital Command Control) is a means of sending electrical signals over model railroad tracks to (...) (21 years ago, 28-May-03, to lugnet.robotics.rcx, lugnet.trains) !! 

35 Messages in This Thread:










Entire Thread on One Page:
Nested:  All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:  All | Brief | Compact

This Message and its Replies on One Page:
Nested:  All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:  All | Brief | Compact
    

Custom Search

©2005 LUGNET. All rights reserved. - hosted by steinbruch.info GbR