 | | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) I already did something very close. I reversed engineer the IR protocol of the Power Functions and created a small device that can both send and receive IR commands. The components in this device probably cost around $10-15 (but excluding the (...) (17 years ago, 20-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | My attempt at a railway bridge
|
|
Hi all, I always meant to show this - but didn't manage to translate the describing page to English. Anyway, it's finally done (the page, that is - the bridge itself is still a work-in-progress). Enjoy: (URL) not architecturally thrilling, but it's (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) It's those smaller, sharp and pointy objects that I'm worried about actually... plus I've got a couple confessions yet to make about my other hobby (there are some more saxophones in this house than she is aware of... ;-) ) But I've got the (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) If someone can get hold of Mark Riley and have him 'fix up' LDCC to be 'Power Functions/RC Train' IR compatible instead of DCC, that'd be a quick fix :) The rest is already built in--remote control, LACC, etc... Dave K (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) I've got to say if I muttered those words aloud, my wife would likely come at me with a large blunt object :). But I agree - I need to lay hands on an IR train and start working out more of this myself as well. (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) Brian, the more I read this, the more I am with you. I think I really need to re-think my LEGO budget for next year... Three trains sounds like fair enough to me, since our house is not supposed to grow and the trains need some space to be (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) I'm pretty sure the RCX could be programmed to throw PF control messages... and while this would be a lot cheaper from a HW standpoint at the moment, I'm not sure it would be long-term. Right now the RCX is cheap(er) on eBay, but as they (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) On second thought, that doesn't look all that bad actually. Provided there is a way to eventually control more than one train and set up several IR interfaces (for positions where the optical link would otherwise fail) with a single RCX, the (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) If there are "dead zones" that could be a problem, but we also get to run doglegs this way. There are trade-offs, and I know where I'd like to be: LEGO-certified DDC built-in that is usable with anything from a regular train controller, to a (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) Hi Jerry, I certainly agree that this might not be a cost-effective solution or a very efficient way to implement DCC (although there are surely those out there who will pursue it anyway). I was just trying to emphasize that there isn't reall (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) Hi Jordan, while this sounds like an interesting solution, it also sounds like a very expensive one as opposed to going for RF in the first place (yep, I know that RF remote controls have their own issues, power consumption being a significant (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) HiTechnic / LEGO now offer an "Infrared Link" for the NXT that seems to be exactly the sort of thing you're describing here - and it is advertised as being compatible with the Power Functions and train IR protocol. This would mean that no (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) Ummm.... except that you lose control when the train goes into a tunnel, or you have areas of unreliable control on your layout. Losing control in a tunnel would be a big deal for "serious" model railroaders that like off-stage "staging" (...) (17 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: Train Layout help needed
|
|
(...) If you can't follow the electrical connections, think of it like this: If you can start two trains, one following behind the other, then simply by changing the points at the right moment cause a head-on collision, then there's something wrong. (...) (17 years ago, 17-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: Train Layout help needed
|
|
(...) Hi Anne, electrical damage is very difficult to achieve with LEGO 9V trains - usually it just doesn't work and you'll notice before any harm is done. However, your layout will work - electrically. I am somewhat curious how you plan to set the (...) (17 years ago, 16-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: Train Layout help needed
|
|
(...) You are fine because of the crossover track element design (all of the rails are insulated). That said, you will need to be very careful if you are running more than 1 train; that will be your biggest concern;-) JOHN (17 years ago, 16-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
|
| |
| | Re: Train Layout help needed
|
|
(...) Your layout if perfectly fine. As long as the train can't go back the oppisite way on the same track section (a reversing loop) you shouldn't have any problems. -Mike Petrucelli (17 years ago, 16-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Train Layout help needed
|
|
Hi Guys, We just came up with this double figure 8 pattern using switch tracks (URL) Then we looked online to see what others had made and found something similar using crossover tracks (URL) Before we power up our own design, we want to know if we (...) (17 years ago, 16-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
(...) One interesting possibility is an IR remote that does not have to have a constant signal to work. In other words, have the remote send commands that change the state of the train, but not need to continuously send a "go forward" command or (...) (17 years ago, 15-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
| |
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
|
|
Hi all, well, I'm not particularly fond of the IR remote controller as well - I spent a significant amount of money on 9V stuff (the original w/ metal tracks) and hope to keep that in a usable state for some time. The good part is that the plastic (...) (17 years ago, 15-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
|
