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Projects ...

Battery Monitor

3_digit_led.pdf
File Size: 2129 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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LGB 2056 Diesel MyLocoSound Installation

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lgb2056_mls_install.pdf
File Size: 1532 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

USA Trains F3 A-B-A Conversion to Battery Power

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Complete description with photos -->
F3_ABA_Conversion.pdf
File Size: 5176 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

A Talking Caboose ?

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I made this caboose for the kids at train shows. Press a button and it says "Don't forget to tell Santa you want a train for Christmas., and 3 others.
talking_caboose.pdf
File Size: 1535 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Update: I found a much better and lower cost solution for this project using a BlueTooth speaker, which can simply be placed in a car and then removed for charging. Since my caboose was already setup with the speaker, battery, and charging port, I just removed the Sound Clip Module and receiver, and replaced them with a BlueTooth amplifier. See  file below for a standalone $15 solution.
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bluetooth_mp3.pdf
File Size: 471 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Paul Hart's Hot Air Balloon Project

Paul Hart asked for some help with this fun project. We ended up using an Enhanced Critter Control, along with his motor and fish line setup to control the ascent and descent of his large scale hot air balloon.

Read all about it ...
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hot_air_balloon.pdf
File Size: 1538 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Battery Power for your Track !

track_pack.pdf
File Size: 1619 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

This project is now turning into a product; Track Pack
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Bachmann Rail Truck gets MyLocoSound

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rail_truck_sound.pdf
File Size: 945 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Mounting Reed Switches with PCB/3D Printed Assembly

I decided it was time to upgrade my reed switch mounting process ...
mounting_pcb.pdf
File Size: 809 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Odometer Car

What to know how long your main line is? Quit guessing and build this Arduino project to measure your track length quickly and accurately.
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October 2018, Garden Railways Magazine
"Build a Track Odometer" by Del Tapparo
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odometer_article.pdf
File Size: 16578 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​Error in schematic: Use digital pin D2 instead of D6.

Anatomy of a Li-Ion Battery Pack

Li-Ion Battery tear down.
anatomoy_li_ion.pdf
File Size: 645 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

4-Way Traffic Light

A working large scale model traffic signal.
project_article.pdf
File Size: 969 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Scrolling Text Message Car 

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message_car.pdf
File Size: 1739 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

If you would like to build this project, I have schematics, software, and PCBs available.

Track Cleaning Car

a_simple_track_cleaner_you_can_build.pdf
File Size: 90 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Build a Railroad Crossbuck for your Open House

how_to_build_a_crossbuck.pdf
File Size: 2485 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Build an Arduino "Speed Trap"

Want to know how fast your train is really going in scale speed? Want to learn how to program and build Arduino projects?

February 2017, Garden Railways Magazine
"Speed Trap", by Del Tapparo
gr_article_speed_trap.pdf
File Size: 9617 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Universal Trailing Car

Don't want the cost of battery powered R/C electronics in all of your locos? This Universal Trail Car configuration will allow you to run all of your locos, any one at a time, from the same set of electronics. All you have to do is isolate the track pickups on the locos that will use this trail car, and provide a 2-wire connection to the motor. A DC Power Source (such as a $20 Meanwell LRS-150-24) can be used for constant track power. The sound board can be a MyLocoSound or Phoenix. And the best part is, the RailBoss 4 Plus can provide all of its unique functions for your locos on either track or battery power.
universal_trail_car.pdf
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Track pickups for your trailing car can be done using PIKO ball bearing wheel sets with pickups. Or using a 4-wire connector between the locos and the trail car, you could use the locos factory pickups, isolated from the motor, back to the trail car.
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MyLocoSound for a Bachmann Climax

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Installing MyLocoSound in a stock track powered Climax, the newer ones with removable coal load.

Click here to see how it's done
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LGB Mogul Battery Power and Sound Conversion

RailBoss 4 Plus and MyLocoSound into an LGB Mogul Tender. Where do you put all this stuff?

​Click here to find out
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Digital Track Volt/Ammeter

This project was inspired by customer Glenn Sheldon after he asked for some assistance with low cost digital voltmeters to measure track voltage. It is fun to build, and only requires about $25 worth of parts or less, depending on how you package it. Glenn uses the TrackSide R/C for control.

Click here for more Info 
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Use the Magnetic Critter Control for your Track Powered Train Display

Customer Dennis Olsen ​​tells us how he uses the Magnetic Critter Control for his track powered train display.
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Click here for more Info
Notes:
  • 12 VDC may not provide enough speed for your locomotives. The Meanwell LRS-150-24 is an excellent low cost power supply for this project. It provides 24V at 6.5A for around $18.
  • The Magnetic Critter Control runs in one direction only (no built-in reverse), but can be added externally to the motor output with a DPDT switch if needed.

Track Blower Cars

Matt Iantorno used our Simple Critter Control and a Battery Conversion Module in his custom built track blower cars. The brown one has a Basswood chassis, Kadee coupler & trucks, a Bachmann caboose, a Rule 12v blower fan, and a Lithium Ion battery. The green one has the Simple Critter Control in the roof of the cupola. 
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If you would like to submit your project for publication here, please contact us. We love new ideas.

Serving the garden railroad community since 2004