To Turntable or not...

I'm not getting happy with the Digital-Bahn decoder...
The most important part is the positioning of the bridge which seems to be very dependent of the motor condition.
You can get the positioning right with programming the slow part of the moving, but it is a snapshot of the motor characteristics at that time.
The original mechanics had a slot to run in to get an exact positioning of the bridge which is removed for this decoder type.

I invested a lot of time to get it right, but the slot is needed because without it the tolerance is 2 mm which is not acceptable to use in automatic mode.
I'm afraid that I will stop investing more time and money in this turntable project.

Turntable revised

Thanks to Heiner I have now a super working turntable with a digital-bahn.de decoder and extra "In position" detector.
I wired and tested it yesterday and I am really surprised to see the turntable moves so smoothly. Also the extra LED signals on the bridge are smoothly changing aspect.

The extra "In position" detector generates a short pulse to inform Rocrail that the turntable can be accessed by a locomotive.

I need some extra MGV50 modules before I can test it in automatic mode.

To be continued on this blog.

"Split" in Rocrail

The new "Split" module is added to Plan-F in Rocrail and was an amazing easy job to do.
The routing did workout also without any problems, and the first test run was successful.

The next challenge is running locomotives over the bridge to the turntable...

Plan-F "Split"

Some progress has been made to module #10, "Split", for the Plan-F layout.
All wiring and electronics are in place, and the servo is also adjusted to operate the 'Y'-Switch.

Next is the Rocrail part. The new module XML is created with all routes.
There is no block on this module so the routes are all from compass point to compass point.
All tracks are current detected wired and are part of the routes.

Its a real pity that my model railroad room is so small, because this "Split" module opens a lot of new possibilities.

"RennsteigBier"

Rocrailfan, Heiko, did send me a box with some suspicious content.
But somehow it reminds me of "Hop-Tea", well known in the Rocrail community.

Thanks Heiko! Cheers!

NS Motorpost did arrive today!

Today the NS Motorpost 3002 did arrive which was mechanically and electrically upgraded by Peter.
As soon as the MP had his first test run I will report it.

Märklin DC... It really exists.

Tattoo Dockingstation

A dockingstation for recharging the battery, and optionally a spare one, was missing and arrived today.
It can be connected to the computers USB port or with the included power supply.

Because I also use the Tattoo as alarm clock, to get up on time to go to work, I will place this dockingstation on my bedside table. The Tattoo will have a full charge for the new day.