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Subject: 
Re: Remote switching points
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.trains
Date: 
Fri, 27 Aug 1999 22:54:05 GMT
Viewed: 
765 times
  
On Fri, Aug 27, 1999 at 01:12:09PM +0000, Ed McGlynn wrote:
In lugnet.trains, Christian Holtje writes:
Has anyone tried to automate a point by directly laying a worm (screw)
gear on the grey plastic (removing the yellow switch handle)?  It seems
that that'd work well.

I suppose that you'd have to worry about stopping, but if they are
switched via a manual switch remotely, just don't grind the legos!

*snip*

Christian -

You're on the right track (pun) here...my best results for a remotely automated
point were to implement a system similar to what you described.  I used a 1x6?
black technic linking plate to do this - that's the kind with rounded ends and
the stud sized holes at each end:
  ______________________
/                      \
| []  O   O   O   O  []  |
\______________________/

(wow - that's kinda bad!)

Anyway, slip one end over the sliding grey pip that the yellow togle switch
piece normally forces back and forth in the switch housing, and attach a rack
gear over the top of the last four studs.  Worm gears stink in this
application, so I used the small 8? tooth gear directly attached to the output
axle of the new-style technic internally geared motor.  This gives a direct
drive rack and pinion effect that can't grind the LEGO pieces, and the motor
stalls without consequence if you try and overtourque it.  Put a solid housing
around this whole unit, and that'll keep any motor torque from pulling apart
your rack system.  I use an RCX to control mine, since that can send an
automated pulse to the motor, and it works like a charm.

Maybe I could post some pics if there's interest or further questions?

Pictures of some sort would help.  I think it should be a web page.  If
you send me the pieces (pics, and the above text, maybe the rcx proggie),
I'll put together a page for it on http://lego.gerf.org/

Note, lego.gerf.org is not functional yet.  I plan on adding a train
faqomatic and such, but the review faqomatic isn't working yet :(  I will
work on them Sunday, if I get up. :)

Ciao!

--
A hacker does for love what others would not do for money.

The Doctor What: Guru to the Gods                http://docwhat.gerf.org/
docwhat@gerf.org                    (finger docwhat@gerf.org for PGP key)
KF6VNC



Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Remote switching points
 
(...) *snip* Christian - You're on the right track (pun) here...my best results for a remotely automated point were to implement a system similar to what you described. I used a 1x6? black technic linking plate to do this - that's the kind with (...) (25 years ago, 27-Aug-99, to lugnet.trains)

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