 |
| Moderated by: |
Page: 1 2   |
|
Rick Dow
Registered
| Joined: | 1 Nov 2017 |
| Location: | Ontario Canada |
| Posts: | 163 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Well, lets face it, we all love the Cat Switch.
Very cool Juergen!
____________________
When you come to a fork in the road - take it.... Yogi Berra
|
|
|
bobquincy
Registered
| Joined: | 27 Jan 2013 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 332 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
My wife and I like it so much that I now have to add a Cat Switch to one of my monorails. 
boB
____________________
Monorail modelers have a one track mind.
http://monorail.suzieandbob.com/
|
|
|
Rick Dow
Registered
| Joined: | 1 Nov 2017 |
| Location: | Ontario Canada |
| Posts: | 163 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Bob when I read the first five words of your post, I was expecting you to say you two got rid of the house cat.
Nice Guy Eddie thought so too.
____________________
When you come to a fork in the road - take it.... Yogi Berra
|
|
|
Nice Guy Eddie
Registered
| Joined: | 5 Sep 2016 |
| Location: | Long Beach CA |
| Posts: | 411 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
" Nice Guy Eddie thought so too "
? Clearly psychic
I must have totally missed what Rick thinked I thought
In fact I hadnt thought Id thinked anything at all ?
Eddie
____________________
" We Got Places All Over The Place "
|
|
|
corv8
Moderator
| Joined: | 13 Nov 2018 |
| Location: | Vienna, Austria |
| Posts: | 806 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Hmmm.... any ideas where I can get suitable HO cats?
____________________
Gerold
|
|
|
bobquincy
Registered
| Joined: | 27 Jan 2013 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 332 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
HO cats (and dogs) from Woodland Scenics!
One of our cats never misses taking a swat at a monorail as it goes by,
maybe if the monorail has a cat switch they will leave it alone out of professional courtesy.
...and maybe the monorail will sprout wings and fly... 
____________________
Monorail modelers have a one track mind.
http://monorail.suzieandbob.com/
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
LiFePo4 Battery
As there is enough space available, this 7/8th loco is equipped with LiFePo4 batteries, simply fixed with hot glue.
Here 2 round cells of 14500 type are used.
Same size as normal AA batteries. Each 3,2V and 600mAh.
Energy density does not reach a LiPo, so more Volume with same capacity.
They need a LiFePo charging procedure, and shouldn't be charged with LiPo settings.
On my chargers I can choose between LiPo or LiFePo charging.
These are said to be more robust than LiPo cells and more insensitive to deep discharge, overcharge and heat.
Also they are regarded to be inherently safe with no risk of fire.
Not that I ever had an issue of fire or explosion in my over 10 years of using LiPo’s, but it occurs that inflate and died.
Some surely because I have forgotten to switch off the loco and the quiescent current of the Rx caused a deep discharge.
But some also of reason I couldn’t explain.
As far as I have researched there is a fair variation of production quality.
Also LiPo packs long time not used or loaded, can be deep discharged, one cell inflated and dead, the others still completely OK.
I want to use these LiFePo4 in our 7/8th locos, and will see what experience will show.
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
W C Greene
Registered
|
Love the kitty...sort of "cat-a-tonic".
Woodie
____________________
It doesn't matter if you win or lose, its' how you rig the game.
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Magnet Charger
For charging the batteries I installed a special charging jack.
Some of you may know this magnetic charging devices normally used for charging your cellphones.
But basically it is just a four wire cable with an USB plug on one side, and a micro USB on the other,
magnetically connected to the cable end.
I bought micro USB sockets mounted on circuit boards, where the magnetic plug can be pushed into.
The wires from the 2 cell LiFePo4 are soldered to the socket board.
Three wires here, for enabling balanced charging.
My friend wanted to have the charging socket under the drivers seat.
So it’s mounted into a piece of wood and placed under the seat.
It’s placed that way, that it is halfway hidden behind the drivers leg in normal sitting position.
We have simple chargers for 2 to 3 cells LiPo or LifePo4, simply choosable with a switch under the charger.
The connector cable for the charger got an USB socket at the other end,
soldering the charger wires to the ports matching to the micro USB socket in the loco.
So now you only have to hold the magnetic plug near to the locos charging socket, and it is fixed in the right position.
Doesn’t matter which way around, as it has the same polarity, independent from which side of the plug is up/down.
For balanced charging I need a magnetic charging device without status LED on it,
as the additional current disturbs the charging process, and my charger refuses charging.
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Toeffelholm Sound Approach
Already described in Si's "The Replicant" thread, as it was inspired by his suggestions on sound equipment parts,
I want to add and proceed it here, as it fits perfectly to the "Laboratory For Weird Technology" title.
So nothing new, except the video showing ambient and loco sound together.
Basic Idea is to create a loco sound illusion in a special way,
with a sound module working "off board",
controlled by DelTang RC, in parallel with the loco.
As a little speaker inside a loco - also in my larger scale - can't reproduce the low frequency part really satisfying,
a low pass filter is used to extract the low frequencies and send them to a large speaker under the layout.
In parallel I send the loco sound signal via a Bluetooth connection to a speaker inside the loco.
As the low frequencies are difficult to localize for the human ear,
it's possible to achieve the illusion of "full sound" coming from the loco.
The Soundbox
- Top left is the DelTang Rx (RC receiver, motor and function controller, in plastic box), that controls a Phoenix loco sound device, bottom left. This Rx runs in parallel with the Rx in the loco, and delivers the velocity dependent control signal for the Phoenix sound card. Bell and whistle are controlled via 2 function outputs of the Rx.
- Left hand of the Rx is a relay as a kind of inductive load for the motor exit of the Rx. The Phoenix doesn't work if there isn't a consumer.
- The speaker wires of the Phoenix sound card are connected to an impedance converter, to obtain a line-in signal.
- From there the sound signal is fed to an audio Bluetooth transmitter (the black box in the lid), that transmits the sound to the loco, and to the low frequency filter.
- Top right you see the low frequency filter I use. Cut off frequency can be adjusted between 22Hz and 300Hz and is has a built in pre-amplifier. ( Look for 12V low pass filter ). For playing the low frequencies I use an old guitar amp/speaker combo.
- Above the impedance converter there is the audio potentiometer for volume control. It's connected in-between the Phoenix speaker output and the impedance converter. It is a motor-driven potentiometer. So I can fade in and out the sound when the loco enters or leaves the scene. The Volume potentiometer is controlled by a separate ESC (the little thing on the potentiometer).
- Power supply is given by a 10Ah (nominal) power bank with an additional 12V output, via a connector at the rear side of the chest.
Transmitter (DelTang), that controls the loco as well as the sound box.
Bluetooth receiver and speaker in the motor hood
Sound box and under layout "bass" speaker
For details of the parts used, see here.
Recently I added and ambient harbour sound, made for me by Jim Wells from Fantasonics.
Both together make a really satisfying illusion 
Toeffelholm ambient and loco sound
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
fallen
Registered
| Joined: | 3 Apr 2013 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 218 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Wow! That is an impressive setup you have there.
I tried something similar, but much simpler, a little while ago.
I model in 009, which is 4mm scale and narrow gauge.
The locos are quite small and so installing sound is difficult but not impossible.
However I put a speaker under the baseboard and fed it from a DC sound card,
which was a garden railway size soundcard running off the motor output of a Deltang RC receiver,
running in sync with the one on the loco.
It worked OK, but the sound card had to be reset to new parameters each time I ran a different loco.
I wonder if you have solved this with your system?
Frank
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Thank you very much Frank.
Well, until a few weeks before,
the plan was "simply" to have a sound module and such a box setup for each loco.
But recently I am intensively exploring the possibilities of the "Pricom Dreamplayer Pro",
to use it for all (recently planned 4) locos.
But this would mean, that I have to create the sound file parts from recordings by myself.
So, learning about working with "Audacity" will be my project for the next weeks.
It would have the benefit that I don't need the impedance converters,
and I would only need one low pass filter.
And I could get everything in one Box.
We will see.
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
Rick Dow
Registered
| Joined: | 1 Nov 2017 |
| Location: | Ontario Canada |
| Posts: | 163 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Juergen,
As usual, all I can say is that you are amazing.
Rick
____________________
When you come to a fork in the road - take it.... Yogi Berra
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
DelTang Multi-Switch
As I said previously,
I'm exploring the possibilities to use my own recorded loco sound files,
with a DreamPlayer Pro from Pricom.
In order to trigger the inputs of this board,
I have to apply the DelTang multi-position channel feature.
As this feature can not be programmed the conventional way,
I had to dig out my Prog4 module to set this feature in an Rx65,
using the CoolTerm Software on a MacBook.
Originally the Multi-Switch is intended to be used with a 12 position switch.
As this is nothing more but a 12-step voltage divider,
I can also use the loco throttle potentiometer for this feature,
so that I can control loco speed an under layout sound in parallel.
Here's a little example video of the Multi-Switch test.
Here the throttle controls 5 function outputs of the Rx65.
These are set to be 0V (ground) when activated.
The LED's have their anode connected to +5V,
and the cathode to one of the function outputs.
https://vimeo.com/381458813
to be continued.
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Loco sound with self recorded Sounds
With the DelTang multi switch feature shown above,
and some intense learning in using Audacity audio processing software,
I'm able to use self recorded loco sounds.
The soundboard is a Dreamplayer Pro from Pricom.
It's basically a polyphonic WAV player with some control output features.
Not originally thought for loco sounds.
I used Audacity for cutting single sound parts of different videos of the same loco,
for building loop-sections and trying to create transitions where I don't have a suitable recording.
Equalizing was used by try and error on some sound parts to make them fit better.
For the Dream Player, I extracted 5 tracks:
1 - Start sequence followed by looped idle sound
3 - Idle->shunting transition followed by looped shunting sound
5 - shunting->travel transition followed by looped travel sound
4 - travel->shunting transition followed by looped shunting sound
2 - shunting-idle sound followed by looped idle sound
With these I can realise a stepwise speed dependent loco sound.
Only with 3 steps, but sufficient for my anyway slow moving industrial style 2foot gauge loco.
The Dreamplayer is again controlled by a separate DelTang receiver,
(Loco: Rx62, Sound: Rx65) simultaneously controlled by the same transmitter.
I had to apply some additional electronic for the sequenced triggering.
Everything still in the test phase and will get smaller if once soldered down.
The Sound works so far as imagined. But I didn't match the loco movement up to now.
Sound test video
Sound is coming from the loco alone at the moment, with the usual Bluetooth sound connection.
Meanwhile I have a second better approach using a special feature of the Dreamplayer,
that makes the surrounding trigger electronic simpler.
To be continued
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
bobquincy
Registered
| Joined: | 27 Jan 2013 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 332 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Great work!
I wish I could copy it, but I do not have the space for the Pricom,
so I am using an Adafruit Audio FX board.
It is only monophonic, the price we pay for smaller size.
Attempting to program level 12 of my Rx61 with an eFlite transmitter,
totally bricked the Rx61, David T was able to reset it.
Now I will use multiple channels to select my audio clips,
otherwise similar to yours: one transmitter controlling two receivers.
boB
____________________
Monorail modelers have a one track mind.
http://monorail.suzieandbob.com/
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Hi Bob,
I'm glad that there is someone else who use own sounds.
As you said that you control your sound board with a separate Rx,
I assume you have it "off board" as well like me?
Why is the size/space a problem for you in this case?
A pity that Menu 12 programming doesn't work for you.
Is it an Rx61d ? Rx61c wouldn't work for that.
Did David tell you what was wrong?
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
bobquincy
Registered
| Joined: | 27 Jan 2013 |
| Location: | Florida USA |
| Posts: | 332 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Hi Juergen
Not many monorail sounds are available,
so I get what I can online and load it into my audio board.
The front cab has the motor and controls, I put the audio in the rear cab,
as there is more space and I can use a larger speaker.
My models are about 48 mm wide, the Pricom Lite may fit,
but it does not have the individually addressable audio clips that the Adafruit board does.
I can get four outputs from one radio channel with the "< 2 second;> 2 second" method,
so with the two spare channels I should have enough outputs.
I considered programming a PIC to decode eight different pulse widths on a channel,
but got lazy.
David figured I stumbled into a protected programming area,
which kept the Rx from ever binding with a transmitter, it just kept blinking.
He is really good about supporting his products!
boB
____________________
Monorail modelers have a one track mind.
http://monorail.suzieandbob.com/
|
|
|
Toeffelholm
Registered
| Joined: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 515 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Here are two recent examples of my work with self edited sound files.
(Editing with Audacity as described above)
Could get the loco sound files
and the matching with the movement to my satisfaction now.
Work on the turntable sound in the second video is just at the beginning.
So matching with turntable movement is done by hand.
Automation of movement and sound matching will follow later.
https://vimeo.com/737186251
https://vimeo.com/737327133
Juergen
____________________
modelling in 1:22.5 on 32mm and 16.5mm track
Actual project: 7/8" scale on 45 mm track
|
|
|
Current time is 09:07 am | Page: 1 2 |
|
|
|
