Hellier Train Care

Well I have been working on my arduino based DCC Decoded and am proud to announce that I have been able to create a firmware update Link Removed . This enable a couple of features on my pcb's which have had slight rewiring due to my silly errors. I still need to correct a few errors (such as a recently occurring servo chatter) but most seems to work fine. New Features include push button programming (in a similar fashion to train tech signal where you press a button and it takes the next address thats pressed) LED to show when in programming mode EEprom utilization to remember address when powered off Changes to come Push button adjustment of servo movement limit (may require new PCB version or control board) PCB Changes Added Reference ground Changed pushbutton resistor connection Removed 3 unusable pin headers Corrected resistors outlays for 1/4w resistors Added GND and 5v layers If anyone would like a copy of my new pcb and the updated list of components requi...

Although I haven't updated much for a while, I have been working on things in the backround such as a printed shield for the dcc decoder scriot i am writing for the arduino. So far I am on my second prototype but it will be the first with any components, mainly as the original was missing a route. Now the good thing is that you do not have to use it with dcc, but can use it with pushbuttons (omit some components and change a few linea of code.) The first picture is of the original prototype. PCB,  this one although could be used missed a connection to jp9 which meant that I would only be able to attach 10 instead of 11 servos to it. The second picture shows the updated version, this has been fixed so all 11 servos can be attached and used. It also, as you may have noticed, got a few more component holes on it, this is to facilitate a learn button for reprogramming, as well as to incorporate the required components to reduce a 12v supply to a 5v supply. All the componen...

For some time I've been considering various ways of controlling points, the one thing that keeps coming back to me is to operate them through DCC, but perhaps also link it to a control panel that will allow me to combine it with the toggle Switch method. For some time I've been looking at Arduinos  and they may do what I need them to do. So far I've got a basic circuit and code set up, all thats needed is a servo to Test, which is on order, I shall perhaps upload a video once its all working. Though I'm sure some people may like to see whats been done so far. The Circut for the monitor which allows the Arduino to see whats going on Myna Bay DCC Monitor An Arduino Uno, any Arduino can be used for this, though its easier if you can attach shields to it The Prototype shield set up with the DCC Monitor Circuit  Now although Myna bay Provides a DCC monitor code to load onto the Arduino, it doesn't help us much as it only provides binary feedback...