New Signals in the Works

DCUTTTING Jul 31, 2016

  1. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    I'm designing some new signals, starting with searchlight signals. Here's a sneak preview of the LED assembly. We are using an RGB LED and some electrical magic on a microcontroller to tune the colors to the perfect blend. More pictures to follow.

    [​IMG]

    Sent from my P01M using Tapatalk
     
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  2. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    The signals are designed from C&O blueprints. Etched metal with brass tubing for the pole. Fully compatible with most signal systems was the goal.

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]

    Signal LED with control PCB in background
     
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  4. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    To anyone modeling different areas, what kind of color or position signals would you like to see the most produced after this one?

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  5. bstitches

    bstitches New Member

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    B&O CPL's please
     
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  6. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    Been thinking about those and the PRR positions as well

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  7. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't know if someone's already done this, but I would think some success could be had with a working hotbox/dragging equipment detector sign...
     
  8. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    Eagle2 do you have a picture? Not sure what you mean

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  9. Jerry M. LaBoda

    Jerry M. LaBoda TrainBoard Supporter

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    PRR or N&W CPLs... but is there truly demand for such??? A truer to scale Type G would also be considered by me...
     
  10. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    I will take the type g into consideration. Atlas has some nice models, but not very scale sized. What do you mean with no demand for the CPLs?

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  11. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here's some illustrations from an Employee Time Table:

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    [​IMG]
     
  12. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    With the advent of PTC it would seem someone should be making a good scale type D signal - either with or without the Darth Vader snowshield. This is going to be the most common type of signal in the future if pictures are to be believed...
     
  13. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    That was very high on my list of things to make. Are you guys happy with the control systems currently available?

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  14. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    I can't speak for everyone; I use CML's SIGM20, and the company has gone away...I'm happy with it, and hope it lasts...I'd really rather not start over...
     
  15. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    Just wanted to give you another update on this project. At this point most of the design is all final and I have moved into the optimization stage. Basically trying to reduce my costs so you can buy them cheaper. That meant a redesign of the PCB to control the LED. Here's a picture:

    Untitled2.png

    I added some new important features this time, the first being that on the bottom of the board underneath each section there is a solder jumper that allows you to select operation with a common anode or a common cathode system. So your system will work our PCB, even if it is the atlas system or whatever oddball system you may have.

    The second major change is the addition of 3 head drivers to the board. Our first version was the same size as this board, and only had one head controller. This version can control 3 heads. If you buy a one or two head version, one or two sections of the board will not have components soldered.

    The section all the way to the left is the power supply. Basically you can feed any kind of power into this thing, be it DC, DCC, or AC (6-16V) and the power supply will filter it and regulate it to the correct voltage. That means that modular groups can use this signal system without having to purchase separate regulators, which in the end is another cost-saving measure.

    With this version we sourced a new microcontroller which costs about 1/3 of the first one we used, but still has enough peripherals and memory.

    The rest of the design is also coming along. We have several more versions to create in terms of heads, but work is progressing in getting the injection molded components together at the lowest price possible. I'll have more updates soon.

    David
     
  16. Suzie

    Suzie TrainBoard Member

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    Excellent that you are able to make these heads in 2mm scale. If you want to control them from DCC there is already a signal mast decoder on the market that will drive the heads directly. The Signalist SC1 will drive single, double and triple head masts including some lunar aspects.

    Suzie x
     
  17. BnOEngrRick

    BnOEngrRick TrainBoard Member

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    Mike Burgett has searchlight signals (HO) that even have the "flicker" representing the wand changing positions. Is that figured into the circuitry?
     
  18. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    Indeed. It will be part of the program, and there will also be special sequences when the colors change.
     
  19. DCUTTTING

    DCUTTTING TrainBoard Member

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    Alright everyone, here's another update. We have most of the parts in now, just waiting for the new 3D printed parts to arrive. Andrew Kyle assembled this signal from a test fret of parts.


    [​IMG]


    I'm pleased with the results. In another few weeks, I should have an updated fret of parts that includes ladders for taller signals, as well as some more detailed etchings for the head. I have sourced new 3D printed parts from a new supplier that are 10x better than the ones I have been using from shapeways, no cleanup required. Here's the fret we used for this test:


    [​IMG]


    The colors still need refining, but here are some of the test colors so far (Including Lunar):


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


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    The PCB's are looking perfect. Andrew reflowed one just this evening, and it is awaiting a programmed microcontroller before a final test.


    [​IMG]


    We're locking down pricing over the next day or so, we'll post another update once that is done and we have some more test results. Also, I'm looking at the Darth vader signal as the next release. More to come on that one.


    David
     
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  20. Maletrain

    Maletrain TrainBoard Member

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    I'll second the request for B&O position/color signal heads, if they can be made close to scale.
     
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