1. 2013 NMRA Jamboree Dave Bodnar April 27, 2013
Unique Electronic Devices, Animations and Controls That You Can Make
Plus Gizmos, Gadgets, Tips & Tricks That You Can Use to Improve Your Railroad
Dave Bodnar
April 27, 2013
Set up on table at start:
Mars light, light house & Morse code on foam – should run from one battery or power supply
This presentation is available on-line at: or
Revised

2. Introduction This is my fourth Jamboree presentation
Our focus today is on animation, especially using light and movement
Most projects are operated by PICAXE microcontrollers, a device that we have covered in each of the other talks

3. Animation with a Single LED
Used in an introductory article in the current issue of Garden Railways Magazine
For more information on PICAXE see YouTube video links on web page

4. PICAXE - What Is It?
A small microcontroller (is that redundant?) that can be programmed to do many tasks
An device that is so inexpensive that it can be dedicated to a single task
A device that is programmed from a PC with free software
A device that is programmed in the BASIC programming language
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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Tip USB to Serial Adapter #2
Modern Devices 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

8. Garden Railways PICAXE Article
April 2013 Issue pages 54-59
Contains a detailed introduction to the PICAXE and three single LED projects

9. The Projects All Use the Same Hardware
PICAXE
4-5 volt battery
One LED and one current limiting resistor
Two resistors for programming

10. Can be Built on a Solderless Prototype Board

11. On a Drilled Prototype Board

12. Or on a Custom Board

13. Animation with a Single LED
Symbol LED1 = c.2 'pin 5
Symbol Dlay = 12
top:
high led1
pause Dlay
low led1
pause 100
pause 400
pause 1000
goto top:
School Bus Strobe

14. Animation with a Single LED
Mars Light
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
#NO_DATA 'speeds up programming
#PICAXE 08M 'identify the chip
SETFREQ m 'speed it up to 32 MHz
SYMBOL Loopie = b2 'label variable b2 as Loopie
SYMBOL Brightness = b1 'label b1 as Brightness
SYMBOL Dlay = 'set constant Dlay to 2
Start:
Gosub ShortFlash 'do the shorter flash routine
Gosub LongFlash 'do the longer flash routine
GOTO Start: 'repeat
LongFlash: 'do the longer flash
For Loopie = 0 to 255 step 1 '255 steps from off to bright
brightness=255-loopie
pwmout c.2, brightness, loopie
pause Dlay
next loopie
for loopie = 255 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwards
pwmout c.2, brightness,loopie
return

15. Animation with a Single LED
Morse Code Beacon
137 lines of code
Takes up about ½ of the 08M2’s memory!
I found the code by searching Google for:
PICAXE Morse code

16. Animation with a Single LED
SETFREQ m32 'speed it up to 32 MHz (8x normal)
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
sertxd ("pausing")
pwmout c.2,255,0
low c.2
pause 'pause a bit with LED off
sertxd ("pausing DONE")
goto start 'do it again!
Lighthouse – more than just on & off!

17. Animation with a Single LED
Fred (Flashing Rear End Device)
You could usa a PICAXE but DON’T
It is much simpler & less expensive to use a flashing LED!
Search eBay for:
flashing LED

18. Animation with Multiple LEDs
Crossing Signal with 2 LEDs
The LEDs flash “back & forth”
Starts when power is applied
Fixed ½ second rate

19. Flashing Crossing Lights
We will use the 14 pin PICAXE 14M2
Same as 08M but with more input and output pins
About $1.00 more than the 08M
Remember: Don’t use a 9 volt battery or 4 fresh 1.5 volt AA cells!
5.5 volts maximum!
Detailed review of schematic – note pin 6 is “out1” and pin 5 is “out2” – note also that the 22k & 10K to ground are necessary on any board, programmable or not!
Reinforce using 5 volts or less – NOT 9 VOLT BATTERY! Define Ground! Some don’t know what it is.

20. Flashing Crossing Lights

21. Custom Circuit Board for up to 6 LEDs
A custom multi-LED board was designed and fabricated
Supports:
up to 6 LEDs
two trigger switches
two potentiometers
option for power transistors for each LED

22. Crossing Signal Software
#NO_DATA 'speeds up programming a bit
#TERMINAL ' open terminal at speed 4800 baud after programming
Symbol LED1 = b.2 'pin 11
Symbol LED2 = b.4 'pin 9
sertxd (13,10,"Simple Crossing Signal - d. bodnar ") ' show name on terminal
Initialize: ' do this only once
High LED1 ' LED1 is ON
Low LED2 ' LED2 is OFF
Start: ' LABEL so the GOTO knows where to go!
Toggle LED1 ' if LED1 is on turn it off, if off turn on
Toggle LED2 ' same for LED2
pause 500 ' pause for 1/2 second (500/1000ths)
goto start: ' go back to Start and do it again

23. Crossing Signal with Variable Rate
A Potentiometer can be read by the PICAXE
Its setting can be used to change the speed of flashing or how long it flashes or any other variable that changes its behavior

24. Crossing Signal with Variable Rate
When the pot is rotated to one extreme the wiper on the pot shows 5 volts
At the other extreme it is 0 volts
With proportional voltages in between
This translates to a value between in the PICAXE with the READADC command

25. Crossing Signal with Variable Rate
Symbol LED1 = b.2 'pin 11
Symbol LED2 = b.4 'pin 9
Symbol Pot1 = pinb.1 'pin 12
Symbol PotValue = b2
Symbol Dlay =w3
sertxd (13,10,"Simple Crossing Signal - d. bodnar ")
Initialize: ' do this only once
High LED1 ' LED1 is ON
Low LED2 ' LED2 is OFF
Start: ' LABEL so the GOTO knows where to go!
readadc b.1, PotValue
sertxd ("pot=",#PotValue,13,10)
Toggle LED1 ' if LED1 is on turn it off, if off turn on
Toggle LED2 ' same for LED2
Dlay=PotValue*2 ‘double the pot reading
pause Dlay ' pause based on pot reading
goto start: ' go back to Start and do it again
Pause between flashes is based on Pot reading

26. Crossing Signal with Trigger
To be really useful a crossing signal needs to be started by a switch of some sort
This can be a pushbutton or a reed switch and magnet

27. 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!

28. Tip Harbor Freight sells small rare earth magnets Item number 67488
10 for $2.99

29. Flashing Crossing Lights
Hardware modification for button or reed switch activation:
Add switch & resistor to solderless proto board
Discuss need for 10K pull up resistor to give positive shift from + 5 to ground on button push & to protect against dead short if it were not there

30. Flashing Crossing Lights
Software modification for button:
‘ORIGINAL CROSSING PROGRAM – CONTINUOUS BLINKING
Symbol LED1 = b.2 'pin 11
Symbol LED2 = b.4 'pin 9
Initialize: ' do this only once
High LED1 ' LED1 is ON
Low LED2 ' LED2 is OFF
Start: ' LABEL so the GOTO knows where to go!
Toggle LED1 ' if LED1 is on turn it off, if off turn on
Toggle LED2 ' same for LED2
pause 500 ' pause for 1/2 second (500/1000ths)
goto start: ' go back to Start and do it again
Symbol LED1 = b.2 'pin 11
Symbol LED2 = b.4 'pin 9
Symbol Trigger1 = pinc.3 'pin 4
StayHere:
if Trigger1 = 1 then StayHere:
Initialize: ' Set up LEDs for flashing
High LED1 ' LED1 is ON
Low LED2 ' LED2 is OFF
For B1 = 1 to 30 'repeat things between here and Next B1 30 times (each cycle takes 1/2 second)
Toggle LED1 ' if LED1 is on turn it off, if off turn on
Toggle LED2 ' same for LED2
pause 500 ' pause for 1/2 second (500/1000ths)
Next B1 'go back and get the next B1 until it equals 30
Low LED1 'turn LED1 off
Low LED2 'turn LED2 off
goto StayHere: ' go back to Initialize and do it again
Add switch & resistor to solderless proto board
Discuss need for 10K pull up resistor to give positive shift from + 5 to ground on button push & to protect against dead short if it were not there

31. Two Buttons for Crossing
Add a second reed switch so that the light goes on when it passes one switch…
…and goes off when it hits the other.
Sensor 2
Sensor 1

32. Two Buttons for Crossing
Software must remember which switch is hit first
CheckButtons:
b1=0:b2=0 ‘zero variables that store which button came first
if Trigger1 = 1 and Trigger2 = 1 then CheckButtons ' no hit
if Trigger1 = 0 then
b1=1 'save which button hit first
goto flash 'skip ahead and start blinking
endif
b2=1 'save which button hit first
Flash:
high LED1 'LED 1 on
low LED2 'LED 2 off
FlashAgain:
for w3= 1 to 100 'check for button before changing lights
if b2=1 and Trigger1=0 then PauseBeforeStart
if b1=1 and Trigger2=0 then PauseBeforeStart
next w3
toggle LED1:toggle LED2 ‘switch lights
goto FlashAgain: 'continue checking buttons
Symbol LED1 = b.2
Symbol LED2 = b.4
Symbol Trigger2 = pinc.3
Symbol Trigger1 = pinc.4
PauseBeforeStart:
low LED1
low LED2
pause 1000
Show crossing demo – need batteries & sensors #7

33. Using High Power LEDs and Bulbs
Adding a transistor switch to each output allows it to control much higher power devices
High output LEDs
Incandescent bulbs
Motors

34. Emergency Light Flashers
Symbol LED1 = c.2
Symbol LED2 = c.0
Symbol Dlay = 4
Symbol Dlay2= 100
top:
for b1=1 to 5
high led1
pause Dlay
low led1
pause 70
next b1
pause Dlay2
high led2
low led2
goto top:
Red / Blue / White on police car
Two LED version

35. Emergency Light Flashers
Or six LED version
pause Dlay2
for b1=1 to 5
high led3
pause Dlay
low led3
high led5
low led5
pause Dlay3
next b1
high led2
low led2
high led4
low led4
goto top:
Symbol LED1 = b.2 'pin 11
Symbol LED2 = b.4 'pin 9
Symbol LED3 = b.5 'pin 8
Symbol LED4 = c.0 'pin 7
Symbol LED5 = c.1 'pin 6
Symbol LED6 = c.2 'pin 5
Symbol Dlay = 8
Symbol Dlay2= 100
Symbol Dlay3= 50
top:
for b1=1 to 5
high led1
pause Dlay
low led1
high led6
low led6
pause Dlay3
next b1

36. Six LEDs Can Make a Traffic Light
A pair of traffic lights can be controlled with the six LED circuit board
Each light can be addressed individually
The two triggers can be used cycle the lights
The pots can be used to vary cycle time or “yellow on time”

37. Animation …can take many forms
…can add interest and variety to your layout
…surprises visitors
…is great fun!
Servo demo board with power supply #14a (foam) #14b (spout)

38. Animation
Moving things is easy with the PICAXE as it knows how to talk to model airplane servos

39. 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

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

41. The PICAXE can talk directly to a servo
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:

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

43. 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

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

45. 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

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

47. Servo Examples
Elephant

48. Servo Examples
Outhouse

49. Servo Examples
Water Spout

50. Servo Examples
Prairie Dogs

51. 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

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

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

54. Servo Examples
Eggliner
eyes blink
and move

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

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

57. 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

58. 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!

59. 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”

60. 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

61. Your Ideas?
Questions?
2:10

62. 2:43

63. 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

64. 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