Control panel

Graff Mar 2, 2020

  1. Graff

    Graff TrainBoard Member

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    Hi all, I've made a control panel for my layout.
    I used 10 mm thick MDF.
    It's 18" x 6.5" in size, which was the minimum I wanted.
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    I drew the plan and then drilled all the holes for the LEDs and push buttons.

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    I counter drilled the holes from the backside to make it possible to add the LED and the nuts for the push buttons.

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    I primed it with cellulose first and then black Badger Stynylrez primer.

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    I then airbrush painted white where the track lines were going to be.

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    I masked the lines with 1/16" automotive masking tape. I painted over the tape with white to minimize the risk of bleeding.

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    The panel was then painted with dark green acrylic paint. Around the tracks I shaded with black.

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    This is how it looked when I removed the masking tape.

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    I added texts with Microscale decals.

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    The panel is clearcoated with Alclad matte.
    Now it's the fun part; installing all the electrical bits.
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    I use the panel control system from MGP Here in Sweden, a very competent system with its own programming app and uses Loconet for communication.
     
  2. Pig Gap

    Pig Gap TrainBoard Member

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    Excellent! I like the idea of painting over the masking tape to prevent bleeding.
     
  3. Graff

    Graff TrainBoard Member

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    Compared to my old layout that had manual switches with pushrods and polarity micro switches etc. This is so much easier.

    http://i.imgur.com/4XFtfmN.gifv
    And the cost?

    15 turnout control including servos and hardware (push buttons, LEDs, Computer/phone interphase, Panel decoder, servo decoders and LED control) was about $260.

    That's $17 per turnout!

    The big advantage is that this system is so very competent, it can have routes, signal control, reverse loop control and a myriad of other functions.

    And, it can do it either as a standalone system (using its own Loconet bus) or connected to the DCC system or computer!
     
  4. Graff

    Graff TrainBoard Member

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    Made some more on the control panel.

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    The panel has all the circuit boards installed and tested.
    From left to right it is; Loconet power termination, Panel decoder and three LED control boards.

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    I also installed a connector for the throttles.
    Just need to trim the edges.
    Now I can install the panel on the layout and install all the servos.
     
    Kitbash, Tad, Hardcoaler and 6 others like this.
  5. glenng6

    glenng6 TrainBoard Member

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    Great job! It looks very nice.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  6. john olmes

    john olmes TrainBoard Member

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    Nice work thanks for sharing
     

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