Model Railway 10 Turnout Servo Drive

[@paulsharkey3906]

I have gone down this route and it work’s lovely only trouble is the servo’s have a lot of interference from older loco’s,

[@EsotericArctos]

I have found some that are labeled SG9 tend to be 180 and SG90 tend to be more often 90, but it does seem to vary. I have a 3D printer and I printed some mounts for the Servo's that can also accomodate a microswitch, which can be used to send a signal as to which way the servo is postioned, or for switching polarity on an electro-frog. The paper clip is a good idea, but I do find you need to get quality paperclips. Some will just break when straightened, and some will rust quickly

[@omelaurus]

How many turnouts can you connect to 1 arduino?

[@rudyshobbychannel]

Max 10 servos per Arduino, or max 16 accesories, or any mix of those. You could control say 7 servos and have 9 outputs available for accessories.

[@cadillacescalade5428]

Nice I always love seeing your videos Rudy

[@rudyshobbychannel]

@@cadillacescalade5428 Thanks for the feedback, it's appreciated.

[@marekhabel2493]

Hello Rudy, I like your videos and systematic approach. I would like to give the train controller software a go and would love to know how well it works with your arduino turnouts and accessories. How are you connecting them together?

[@rudyshobbychannel]

Well, they work together just fine. The Arduino works as a DCC decoder. Easy to use is the free MARDEC software form www.Arcomora.com. You need a little hardware with an optocoupler to scale down the DCC signal to the 5V of the Arduino, info here: rudysmodelrailway.wordpress.com/software/

[@donaldkormos5529]

Quick question. I'm going to build a new layout and am thinking about 1/2" plywood, followed by 1" Styrofoam, and then cork road bed under the track. Can the turnout servo drive system you have excellently shown here work? Is the foam going to be a problem ... too thick? I've heard pluses and minuses about foam. All the best to you ... thanks for the video and sharing your ideas.

[@rudyshobbychannel]

The pivot point is the little hole in the aluminum strip. If you know the distance from the bottom of your table to the hole in the turnout, which is the additionn of all layer thicknesses, it's easy to make a drawing and see what angle of movement you need from the servo and if that's feasible. Best to be sure though, why not just try it out?

[@robvaus]

my servo keeps running and cant stop... i got a 360 servo but I am using the myServo.write(90); command to stop it... does yours k,eep turning and turning?

[@rudyshobbychannel]

I use 180 degree servo's and yes they can stop at any position. Maybe a 360 servo is the type that runs continuously?

[@JSGregg]

Hey Rudy, thanks for the update! Interesting choice using the aluminum bar. Get yourself some nice servos though from a reputable seller such as Adafruit. I'd be worried about these failing within a few years or being made with fake components. The ones with metal gears are only $9.95 a piece.

[@gregwhayman9695]

hi Rudy Can you help did not know how to get a hold of you hope this is ok So the PXB88 and the BXPA1 need a GMB16X Tab. Train Controller has an option for single reporting but I need to find where the GMB16X is located? I have looked in Train Descriptions, gone to a train description but when it says to look for the edit tab there is not an edit tab in that window. It also will not let you access the "edit" tab in the menu bar when the train description window is open. I have the information on the BXPA1 and the formula is address x 2 subtract 1. I understand how that all works. I have worked hours researching this in the various help menus and yet cannot figure this out. Could someone in the group please assist with some clear instructions to figure out how to get the GMB16X into the train detection tab? Usually after this much digging I can figure this stuff out but this one has me baffled. Any help would be greatly appreciated and very kind. Thanks in advance! Greg Whayman New York & Seven Railroad Train Controller 10 Gold & Digitrax

[@rudyshobbychannel]

Greg, I have no idea what a GMB16X is ... I don't think I can be of any help.

[@gregwhayman9695]

@@rudyshobbychannel thank you