1. 2013 East Coast Large Scale Train Show
Electronics, Microcontrollers & Trains Electronic Gizmos, Gadgets, Tips, Tricks & More!
What’s New?
Dave Bodnar
March 22, 2013
York, PA
This presentation is available on-line at: or
Revised

2. Objectives
Demonstrate various devices & projects that utilize microcontroller operation …
… and some that do not!
(Hopefully) Excite you with the possibilities and enable you to begin experimenting and enhancing your railroad!

3. Topics to be Covered
PICAXE review – What is it? Why use it? How do we use it?
New PICAXE chip
A NEW PICAXE project
A NEW LED lighting project
Revolution /w Sound Overview
Lots of Animation ideas
Easy Uncoupling with Revo or Small Remote
Tips, Tricks, Tools
New & improved gizmos & gadgets

4. Hypothesis 1
We all have an interest in how things work and many of us have enough knowledge of basic electronics to know that something can be done…
we just need a bit of help putting all of the parts together to make it happen!
Programming (batch files, macros, rules)

5. Hypothesis 2 Batteries & power supplies Track wiring & motors
We Already Know About & Have Experience With:
Batteries & power supplies
Track wiring & motors
AC, DC, voltage, amperage & resistance
LEDs & incandescent bulbs
Series & parallel circuits
Switches, relays & transistors
Simple Programming

6. Hypothesis 3
Inexpensive microcontrollers allow us to leverage the basic electronics and programming knowledge that we have so that we can do some amazing
(and personally satisfying)
things!
Pass around PICAXE chips – now or later

7. Highly Recommended: PICAXE
Designed in the UK for use in schools
SUPERB support
Free manuals, tutorials and software
Active & helpful forums
PICAXE manuals are super
Several Books available on Amazon – Search for PICAXE
YouTube videos & Instructables
Pass around a few chips * show book #1 ok

8. PICAXE Best choice in terms of: Capability Ease of use Cost Support
Many PICAXE articles at Large Scale Online &

9. PICAXE Basics
Not spending much time on a PICAXE introduction this year
You can view my introductory PICAXE seminars on YouTube
davebodnar.com or trainelectronics.com
Under Presentations
Or search YouTube for “Bodnar PICAXE”
board & batteries – soldered version – programmed and ready to show to the audience #2 ok

10. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
April 2013 Issue pages 54-59
Contains a detailed introduction to the PICAXE and several projects

11. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
Shows how to build:
Single LED Lighthouse
Single LED Mars Light
Morse Code Beacon
All using the same circuit

12. PICAXE - What You Need Computer with
serial port or …
USB to serial adapter or …
USB programming cable
Windows computer running free PICAXE software (Mac & Linux, too)
Power source
AA cells = 4.5 volts
Show cables (mouse, USB & DB-9) #5 ok
PHANDERSON.COM has solderless development kit for around $20.00 (+/- depending on cable / psupply)
Show & pass around programming cable – can also be made from DB9 (from Hosfelt) and old computer wires – if Internet available go to PICAXE.com and/or PHAnderson.com

13. Tip USB to Serial Adapter
Spark Fun sells PICAXE cable – part # PGM for about $26.00 Or
Spark Fun’s USB to Serial – part # PGM for about $15.00
Details on use at
Show cables (mouse, USB & DB-9) #5 ok
PHANDERSON.COM has solderless development kit for around $20.00 (+/- depending on cable / psupply)
Show & pass around programming cable – can also be made from DB9 (from Hosfelt) and old computer wires – if Internet available go to PICAXE.com and/or PHAnderson.com

14. Tip USB to Serial Adapter #2
Modern Device sells a similar board for about $14.00
Details on use at
Show cables (mouse, USB & DB-9) #5 ok
PHANDERSON.COM has solderless development kit for around $20.00 (+/- depending on cable / psupply)
Show & pass around programming cable – can also be made from DB9 (from Hosfelt) and old computer wires – if Internet available go to PICAXE.com and/or PHAnderson.com

15. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
#NO_DATA 'speeds up programming
#Picaxe 08M2 'identify the chip
SETFREQ m32 'speed it up to 32 MHz
SYMBOL Loopie = b2 'label variable b2 as Loopie
SYMBOL Brightness = b1 'label b1 as Brightness
SYMBOL Dlay = 150 'set constant Dlay to 150
Start:
For Loopie = 0 to 100 step 1 '100 steps from off to bright
brightness=255-loopie
pwmout c.2, brightness, loopie 'use PWM to brighten the LED
pause Dlay 'pause a bit
next loopie 'get the next item in for/next
pwmout c.2, 255,1023:pause 1000 'flash to full bright briefly
for loopie = 100 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwards
pwmout c.2, brightness,loopie
pause Dlay
next loopie
pause 'pause a bit with LED off
goto start 'do it again!
Single LED Lighthouse

16. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
#NO_DATA 'speeds up programming
#Picaxe 08M2 'identify the chip
SETFREQ m32 'speed it up to 32 MHz
SYMBOL Loopie = b2 'label variable b2 as Loopie
SYMBOL Brightness = b1 'label b1 as Brightness
SYMBOL Dlay = 2 'set constant Dlay to 2
Start:
Gosub ShortFlash 'do the shorter flash routine
Gosub LongFlash 'do the longer flash routine
GOTO Start: 'repeat
ShortFlash: 'a label
For Loopie = 0 to 100 step 1 '100 steps from off to bright
brightness=255-loopie
pwmout c.2, brightness, loopie 'light the LED
pause Dlay
next loopie
for loopie = 100 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwards
pwmout c.2, brightness,loopie
sertxd (#loopie, " ")
return 'return to the point where the routine was called
LongFlash: 'do the longer flash
For Loopie = 0 to 255 step 1 '255 steps from off to bright
pwmout c.2, brightness, loopie
for loopie = 255 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwards
return
Garden Railways PICAXE Article
Single LED Mars light

17. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
Morse Code beacon

18. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
More to come…

19. New PICAXE Chip
Prior seminars focused on the PICAXE 08M - 8 pins – about $3.00 each
A new 18 pin chip, the PICAXE 18M2 -about $5.00 and has much more capability
Faster
15 pins for input & output
Much more memory
Low voltage operation (as low as 2 volts!)
Built in timer & multitasking

20. New PICAXE Project
This new project is to create a completely solid state track side or on-board speed controller…
…that has a really cool trick up its sleeve…
…that can be modified to supply up to 12 amps of power!

21. PICAXE Speed Controller
Objectives:
Controls DC track power: speed & direction
Manages smooth acceleration / deceleration
Never changes direction when power is on
Controlled by inexpensive television IR remote control
Can handle several amps

22. Speed Controller Parts: PICAXE 18M2 or 18M2+ Single chip “H-Bridge”
IR Receiver chip
18+ volt power supply

23. Speed Controller
Many older circuits used a relay to reverse direction and a transistor to control speed
This circuit uses a single L298N to do both jobs

24. Speed Controller
The first version of the controller operates a simple track side layout using the IR remote control
It can be used as a basic speed / direction controller
…or it can be programmed to change direction based on time (easy point-to-point controller!)

25. How Do We Control the Controller?
Speed and other settings can be modified with a simple TV remote control
Set min & max speed
Set rate of deceleration
Set time to wait at ends on point-to-point
& IR sensor

26. IR Control Built into PICAXE
PICAXE program to display IR codes
Symbol IRSense = b.2 'pin 8
Symbol InfraRED = b12
#TERMINAL 4800
IRTEST:
Irin [50, IRTEST],IrSense, InfraRED
SERTXD("InfraRED Code = ",#InfraRED,13,10)
GOTO IRTEST

27. LED Test Routine Symbol Direction1 = b.5 'pin 11
Symbol IRSense = b.2 'pin 8
Symbol LEDBlue = c.7 'pin 16
Symbol LEDAmber = c.6 'pin 15
Symbol Motor = b.3 'pin 9
LEDTest:
HIGH LEDAmber:PAUSE 500
HIGH LEDBlue:PAUSE 500
HIGH Motor:PAUSE 500
LOW IRSense:PAUSE 500
HIGH Direction1:PAUSE 500
HIGH Direction2:PAUSE 500
LOW LEDAmber
LOW LEDBlue
LOW Direction1
LOW Direction2
HIGH IRSense
LOW Motor
PAUSE 1000
GOTO LEDTest

28. Motor Control Routine Revers: toggle relay SERTXD("@Revers",13,10)
GOSUB decel
SERTXD("Pausing 1000 millisecods",13,10)
PAUSE 1000
TOGGLE direction1:TOGGLE direction2
GOSUB accel
RETURN
Accel:
FOR loopie0= MinSpeed TO SetSpeed STEP 5
SERTXD(#loopie0," ")
PWMDUTY motor,loopie0 ; set pwm duty
PAUSE adrate
NEXT loopie0
SERTXD(13,10)
Decel:
FOR loopie0= SetSpeed TO MinSpeed STEP -5
PWMDUTY motor, loopie0
SYMBOL Direction1 = b.0 'pin 6
SYMBOL Direction2 = b.1 'pin 7
SYMBOL Motor = b.3 'pin 9
SYMBOL Loop = b27
SYMBOL ADRate = b16
SYMBOL MinSpeed = w3
SYMBOL Loopie0 = W1
SYMBOL SetSpeed = w2
Symbol Relay = c.0 'pin 17
SetSpeed=0
PWMOUT motor,50,500 '150 ; set PWM duty
HIGH Direction1:LOW Direction2
PWMDUTY motor, SetSpeed
setspeed=200
ADRate=100
GOSUB Accel
Cruise:
SERTXD("Pausing 5000 millisecods",13,10)
PAUSE 5000
GOSUB revers
GOTO Cruise

29. Control Options Remote Control Buttons Channel UP - Increase speed
Channel DOWN - Decrease speed
Volume UP - Change direction to forward (if not already going forward)
Volume DOWN - Change direction to backwards (if not already going backwards)
MENU - stop the train remembering the current speed - press MENU again to restart at the same speed and in the same direction

30. Additional Control Options
Press the RETURN button to change settings
Change Maximum Speed
Change Minimum Speed
Change Run Time
Change Acceleration / Deceleration rate

31. Point-to-Point Setup OPTIONAL: Reset RETURN / V-Chip / EXIT
Set Min speed then hit MUTE
Set Max speed
Set run time - RETURN / 3 / three digit time in seconds
POWER to set deceleration point

32. Train Recorder
The newest version automatically records (at a rate of 50 recordings per second) a train’s movements so that you can play them back over & over
A rather unusual but very cool thing to do!
Makes station-stops and complex routes a snap!

33. Train Recorder Additional Components:
A memory chip to store activity (can store up to 20 minutes of train movements!)
A potentiometer to control speed & direction
Optional: A relay to control a “stop block” that keeps things in “sync”

34. More POWER! The L298N supplies up to 3 amps with a heat sink
This is enough for most of us but not all!
There is an easy add-on that can handle 12 amps continuously and peaks of up to 30 amps!
Voltage can be as high as 24 volts

35. Other Uses
The same controller can be used to automate and control anything that has a DC motor
Animations
circus rides
cranes, trucks, cars
inclines
trams

36. I was blind and now I see…
Volt / Ohm Meters are right up there with indoor plumbing.
Less than $10.00
Sometimes free
Use two to give both volts & amps
See Trainelectronics.com for details
Show engine demo with Cree LED in front – need batteries for this, too #13
SHOW Individual Cree LEDs, too

37. Animation Animation adds fun and excitement to your layout
Moving things is easy with the PICAXE as it knows how to talk to model airplane servos

38. Servos A servo is made up of a small motor and set of gears
A string of control pulses precisely position the servo’s arm
They are commonly used to operate control surfaces on model planes, boats and cars

39. Animation
By sending precisely timed pulses the PICAXE can set the servo’s arm to a specific position and hold it there.

40. Servos The PICAXE can talk directly to a servo SYMBOL Temp = b0
SYMBOL ServoPin = c.2 ‘pin 5
Start:
FOR Temp = 225 TO 75 Step -1
sertxd (#temp," ")
SERVO ServoPin, Temp
PAUSE 15
NEXT Temp
sertxd (13,10)
FOR Temp=75 TO 225 Step 1
GOTO Start:

41. Animation Only three wires go to the servo
Two for power and 1 for control pulses
The SERVO command is built into the PICAXE

42. Servo Examples
Elephant

43. Servo Examples
Outhouse

44. Servo Examples
Water Spout

45. Servo Examples
Prairie Dogs

46. Servo Recorder
For more complex servo movements the train recorder has been modified to operate one or two servos
Ideal for
dual axis searchlight
dual servo bear animation

47. Servo Examples
Scanning Spotlight
Uses bright LED
And two Servos

48. Servo Examples
Bears
Two servos on large bear
One each on others

49. Servo Examples
Eggliner
eyes blink
and move

50. Servo Examples Children’s Hospital Searchlight
Rotates back & forth via servo
Only works when train is running and lights are down

51. Servos Come in Many Sizes
Standard
9 gram
4.3 gram
1.5 gram

52. Servos Coupler control Servos can easily uncouple cars
Uses a simple PICAXE controller and some type of radio control
RC can be Revolution receiver
Can be an inexpensive keychain transmitter & its small receiver

53. Servos with the Revolution Auxiliary Port
Revolution users who want to operate live steam or boats need to be able to operate servos
A custom interface allows you to use the six auxiliary buttons to move two servos

54. Where do project ideas come from?
I recently received an from a garden railroader who wanted to illuminate his passenger cars with battery powered LEDs
After some discussion and experimentation a solution was designed that provides us with many options for using and powering LED lighting

55. LED Coach Lights
Design called for battery operation and enough lights to illuminate g-scale coaches using only 3 to 5 volts
First units were built on popsicle sticks to get layout and spacing right
All of the LEDs are wired in parallel to keep operating voltage down
Adding parallel resistors increases brightness & decreases run time
100 ohm resistors
Resistance (ohms)
mA to LEDs
Hours /w 2000 mAh cells
one
100 20
two 50 40
three
33.3 60
four 25 80
five 90

56. LED Coach Lights
Lights can be turned on and off by a latching reed switch
Pass a magnet over one end of the reed switch and the LEDs go on
Pass it over the other end and they go off
The reed switch can be placed against the top of the car so nothing is seen and no holes are drilled in the car

57. LED Coach Lights
Brightness and power consumption can be controlled by a resistor wired in series with the LEDs (these resistors are 100 Ω)

58. LED Coach Lights A custom circuit board was designed
And sent off for manufacture

59. LED Coach Lights The circuit board Is about 13” long can accommodate
up to 25 LEDs
a latching reed switch
current limiting resistor

60. LED Coach Lights Power Options
A power board was added that accommodates track power – DC or DCC
Bridge rectifier – gives consistent polarity
Voltage regulator- gives consistent 5 volts
Capacitors – no flicker on dirty track

61. LED Coach Lights with Super Caps!
Super Caps can keep lights going for minutes after the power is removed

62. LED Coach Lights with DCC Power
The circuit was modified to put groups of LEDs in series to accommodate higher voltages such as from DCC
The power supply board was modified as well

63. Tip – Inexpensive RC Relays
Keychain transmitter and SPDT relay for less than $7.00

64. Crossing Signal Controller (Ditch Lights, too!)
This project grew out of a question posed on an on-line forum that I moderate
“I'm looking for a simple & cheap LED flashing circuit. For a single LED, and for alternating flashing LED's. An "onboard" circuit, possibly to operate off of 5vdc.”
After some discussion I decided to build one …
… and one thing led to another…

65. Crossing Signal Controller
000
Flash on/off every 1/2 second as long as power is on - triggers & pots are not used
001 1
Flash on/off at a rate determined by Pot #1 as long as power is on - triggers are not used
010 2
Flash on/off at a rate determined by Pot #1 as long as Trigger 1 is on
011 3
Flash on/off at a rate determined by Pot #1 - starts when Trigger 1 or 2 is hit, stops when the other Trigger is hit
100 4
Flash on/off at a rate determined by Pot #1 - starts when Trigger 1 or Trigger 2 is hit, stops after a time determined by Pot #2
101 5
Ditch lights at a rate determined by Pot #1 as long as Trigger 1 is on
110 6
Ditch lights at a rate determined by Pot #1 - starts when Trigger 1 or two is hit, stops when the other Trigger is hit
111 7
Ditch lights at a rate determined by Pot #1 - starts when Trigger 1 or Trigger 2 is hit, stops after a time determined by Pot #2

66. Crossing Signal Controller
Modification for ditch light operation
Trigger 1 = both LEDs full on
Trigger goes into ditch light bright / dim
Both Triggers off = both LEDs full off
Length of ditch light operation set by pot

67. Tip - Connectors
We are always looking for ways to connect electrical devices together
For low current use:
Deal Extreme item # 15234
$2.78 for 10 pair including shipping!
Pass connectors around

68. Tip – Connectors Connectors:
High current for track and battery connections:
Deal Extreme item # 10788
$5.70 for 10 pair including shipping!
Pass connectors around

69. Tip – Connectors 4mm Bullet Connectors:
High current for track and battery connections:
Search eBay for “4mm bullet”
Shown here before adding heat shrink tubing
Pass connectors around

70. Tip – Connectors 3.5mm Bullet Connectors:
High current for track and battery connections:
Search eBay for “3.5mm bullet”
Nice between cars
Pass connectors around

71. Tip – Connectors 2mm Bullet Connectors:
High current for track and battery connections:
Search eBay for “2mm bullet”
Thinner & longer than the others
Pass connectors around

72. Tip – Connectors 3 wire Servo Cables have lots of uses
Can be used as is for 3 conductors or back-to-back for 6 conductors

73. Revolution with Sound The Revolution receiver now comes with sound
Generic Diesel
Generic Steam
More sounds are planned

74. Revolution with Sound The kit includes Receiver NonPlug&Play board
Smoke controller
Trigger, link & speaker cables

75. Revolution with Sound

76. Revolution with Sound
The receiver is just a bit higher than its predecessor
There are four connections at the bottom of the board

77. Revolution with Sound TRIG – trigger for whistle, bell or chuff
G-FEDCBA – auxiliary output
SET – link to transmitter
SPEAKER

78. Revolution with Sound
The basic hookup is shown here

79. Revolution with Sound
Setup and linking is identical to that of the original with one exception
The first funtion key (#1 on keypad) must be set to LATCH, not MOMENTARY

80. Revolution with Sound Sounds are controlled by the keypad #1 on/off
#2 bell
#3 whistle
#7 vol max
#8 vol mid
#9 vol min

81. Revolution with Sound
External triggers (TRIG) can be activated by a reed switch and magnet
On the diesel unit #1 controls the whistle and #2 controls the bell
On the steam #1 is the whistle while #2 can be used for chuff
If a pulse is not detected on #2 then chuff is tied to speed

82. Revolution with Sound Speakers work better with a baffle
They can be added to factory speakers, too

83. Revolution with Sound Pros...
Cost for a remote control receiver & sound is very reasonable
Compact size
Plug-n-Play on many locomotives
Simple operation with the existing transmitter (no upgrade needed)
More than ample volume for outside use
Smoke board included
Two trigger inputs that can be used for chuff and other sounds
Software upgradeable

84. Revolution with Sound & Cons...
Whistle sound is fixed at three long blasts
Sound quality could be better
Lowest volume setting may still be too loud
Diesel volume settings are quite a bit higher than those of the steam unit
Only "generic" steam and diesel sounds available at this time
Minimal documentation

85. Revolution with Sound & Suggestions
Change to a volume scheme where button 7 increases the volume in small increments, button 8 goes immediately to the middle volume and button 9 decreases the volume in small increments
Allow end users to add additional sounds and modify existing sounds with a computer interface & software
Make the small plugs for speaker, linking, triggers and auxiliary outputs available for purchase
Change the whistle on both the diesel and steam units to a crossing signal (two longs, short, long)
Change the bell sound so that it latches or only rings as long as the button is pressed.  That is, press the button on the transmitter once to have it start and again to stop it if the button is set to latch.  If it is set to momentary the bell would only ring when the button is held down.

86. Tip – Connectors Multi pin cables with sockets
Great for connecting cars to one another, tenders to locos, etc

87. Tip – Connectors For the Revolution receiver
7 pin for auxiliary interface
3 pin for chuff, bell, whistle triggers
2 pin for speaker

88. Tip – Tiny Motor Gear head motor a bit larger than a penny
Surprisingly high torque
item #
Less than $6.00 shipped
Ideal for many animations

89. Tip – Dubro Collars
Ideal for connecting to motor shafts & to join piano wire for servos

90. Mars Light
The new version uses the eight pin connector / cable to join the 7 LEDs to the circuit board
Makes installation much easier

91. Tip – Tiny Volt Meter
Powered from voltage being measured – 4 to 30 volts
Approx 1” x ½” x ½”
Search eBay for: “Ultra Mini size LED Volt Meter”
$ $2.00 shipping
Pass connectors around

92. Tip – Tiny Volt Meter Makes a nice track voltage tester
Use a 10 watt / 12 volt bulb as a load
Pass connectors around

93. Tip - Adhesive Great for quick temporary or permanent connections
Similar to the “goo” on the back of a new credit card
I use it in place of hot melt glue
DOTS brand
Michaels (don’t forget the 40% off coupon!)
Pass connectors around

94. Tip – CA Accelerator
Most of us have used cyanoacrylic glue (super glue)
But have you also used CA accelerator which dries CA in seconds?
Pass connectors around

95. Tip - Soldering A good iron makes you a better solderer! $46.95
MPJA.com
Item #ZD 929C
$46.95
Digital temperature readout
Replacement handle assembly $6.95
Show Relay Board

96. Tip - Soldering A clean tip makes all the difference. $6.03
Item 34154
$6.03
Show Relay Board

97. Tip – Measure Grade
Digital Gauges from
Micro-Mark
and… Harbor Freight

98. Tip Plumber’s Putty to hold for Soldering
I find Plumber’s Putty to be ideal for holding parts while I solder them
Easy to remove and reasonably inert

99. Tip Meter with Buzzer to test Continuity
A meter with an audible continuity tester is worth its weight in gold!
Least expensive one that I use is from Harbor Freight – part # 37772
or part # (a bit more $$ but has “auto-off”)

100. Tip Salvage Magnets from old Hard Drives
Virtually all computer hard drives have strong (rare earth) magnets in them
Remove case & carefully remove platters and other parts that are in the way
Caution: some platters are GLASS! Fragile and easily converted to SHARP pieces!

101. Tip Testing LEDs
Just about any LED can be tested with a 3 volt lithium battery 2032, 2025, etc
Touch the anode (longer wire) to the + side of the battery
Touch the cathode
(wire by notch in LED)
to the - side
White LEDs are OK for long use at 3+ volts, Red, Green, Amber are not

102. Tip Rubber Bands to Join Track
Free from most bike shops!
Cut bicycle tubes into loops to join track for club or other temporary layouts
Road bike tubes work best
Paper cutter is a plus

103. Tip - MPJA Power Supply Excellent tool for testing circuits
Also works well for testing locomotive and other train related devices
Dual meters (volts / amps) provide very valuable information

104. Relays with the Revolution Auxiliary Port
The Revolution’s auxiliary port can control up to six devices
It is primarily designed for sound and smoke unit activation but can also be used for relays and other devices

105. Relays with the Revolution Auxiliary Port
Details at Trainelectronics.com

106. Animation

107. It’s more fun to make it yourself than to buy it ready to go!
Remember:
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." Pablo Picasso
About 1:21 to end

108. Your Ideas?
Questions?
2:10

109. About 1:21 to end