Controlling Lego train switch tracks remotely
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- There are many ways to motorize and control Lego switch tracks remotely. I tried to cover as many as I could in a single video. We're going to use Power Functions, Mindstorms and 9v solutions covering over 30 years of Lego electronic offerings. TrixBrix track is very different to motorize but I show a solution I've been working on. Feel free to ask any questions you may have or offer alternative solutions. Play well!
** update **
Here is a link to part two of this video with many updates as well as a new motorized switch track design (with instructions)
• Controlling Lego train...
Links in order of mention
How to build the 9v geared motor switch
• Arduino for Lego Train...
How to build the Power Functions M Motor switch
• HOWTO LEGO Train Motor...
How to disable the clicking system
Almighty Arjen's Work In Progress channel
• Lego train automation ...
Using Power Functions IR receivers without Batteries
• Power Functions IR rec...
9v wire repair
• Replacing Lego 9v Wire...
Sariel's Bricks & Pets "10 LEGO Power Functions Tricks You NEED To Know"
• 10 LEGO Power Function...
My train layout using the DACTA Control Lab (It's an older video sir but it checks out)
• Lego Dacta Control Lab...
A.F.O.O.L. Podcast hosted by Bricktrains, Bricktsar and Marigrasman23
• Visually Where Back, T...
My Technic Control Center Retrospective
• Lego Technic Control C...
My Lego Dacta Serial Interface and Control Lab software Retrospective
• Lego Dacta Serial Inte...
Lastly a video that combines many of the topics in this video, along with plenty of bonus points, is my Computer Controlled Monorail Layout
• Building my Computer C...
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Music: "Starmachine2000, Valentine" by Wintergatan
These tracks can be downloaded for free at www.wintergatan.net
Free License to use these tracks in your video can be downloaded at www.wintergatan.net
Happy to hear you using Wintergatan soundtrack!
Happy they allow it 😁
t r a i n s
Indeed
@@BatteryPoweredBricksI love trains
Looks like there would be a raspberry pi hat for this
I know they have hats for Powered Up and NXT / EV3 Mindstorms motors and sensors
Is that the marble machine song in the background?
close, I've used that song before but this video is "Starmachine2000" and "Valentine" both by Wintergatan as well
i noticed Wintergatan music, i upvote
Nothing but the best
for the switches causing the motors to stall because they do not return to the central position, why not build a fixture that has them spring loaded? or just under tension from rubber bands in both directions.
I tried a couple solutions but nothing that worked well. In the end I started using 4.5v touch sensors from a DACTA set from the late 80's as a momentary switch along with the pole reverser switch. What I like about this solution is the switch stays in its position which helps the operator to know the current position on the switch track
Thx for the vid, one question: Is the yellow cargo crane selfbuild or a set I don't know yet?
Glad you liked it! It's from the 60052 Cargo Train set. I added the 9v lamps however 😄
Very interesting video. I have watched it several times. Maybe it's my lower english level. Still look cool!
Dacta looks impressive, but I think it can be implement this with the help of bluetooth block of powered up system and 88007 part as infared transmitter. Yeah, it will be required some programming expirinece.
I see sped computer on your control station, for why it?
I did mention that IR commands can be sent from a powered up hub and light sensor in a recent video "controlling Lego trains from a PC". The problem is that a mobile device must be used to program and control the hub. I tend to use an NXT and third party HiTechnic sensor to send the IR commands instead. The speed computer isn't being used here, it was already built onto the Technic Control Center and I just left it there 😅. Thanks for the kind words, these train videos are always a lot of fun and I have more planned for the future 😁
great job, did you ever consider using an arduino for the control?
I have an Ardiuno in a box somewhere, along with other hobbyist micro-controllers. I love to see what others do with them, such as Almighty Arjen's train layouts. For me the enjoyment comes from using only Lego parts, even if my projects end up being ridiculously inefficient as far as parts usage 😅
Could we talk? Need some help, please.
Always glad to help, my email is listed in the about section of my page or you can just ask here. Someone else might have a similar question
Look at this 5:18
Cool video, I like all you different solutions to the same problem! Neat idea to put a 9V light(bulb) onto the switch so you can see when it's in operation. I wanted to do the same thing with an LED, but then you need to have a rectifier (or two LED in anti-parallel); I found it too much of a hassle.
Thanks! I use the 9v lamps all over the place. It makes it much easier to look for problems such as shorts, open circuits or when something is drawing too much power. I have them on the regulators on the control panel, and around the layout on junctions. When LEDs are a hassle, don't forget about the old standby, incandescent lamps!
I love that self cleaning up crash. It's sad that Lego have dumbed down their train systems. There was a time long ago when it was far more amazing
Yes and no. The Powered Up system can be very powerful but only with third party software / firmware. I've run 4 locomotives as one unit, each with dual motors from a single button. Without powered tracks you don't have to worry about reversing loops shorting things out and it's easy to control several trains independently. Over time I've made better systems for controlling the switch tracks as well. But The old 12v system really was something for its time, I just wish it wasn't so expensive to find nowadays!
6:12 Interesting choice of motorization on the TrixBrix switches. TrixBrix themselves actually offer fairly compact switch automation motors for both Lego switches and their own switches (not sure on the size but they're far smaller than your concept). Not sure how much of a purist you are, but I 100% intend to use them on my WIP home train layout
I wouldn't mind getting some of the TrixBrix automatic switchers at some point. For me purist isn't really the right word since I often use third party replacements (such as the PF servo motors), but I do like to use Lego solutions. It's an interesting challenge even though it often complicates things quite a bit 😅
I never really got why Lego decided to use those weird yellow lever elements to actuate their switch tracks. It seems like it would have been easy to design a more "in-system" interface, like the sliders and knobs used in the monorail system, that can be much more intuitively integrated with other moving Lego parts.
Agreed, although monorail was a bit of a challenge to automate 😅
Impressive. I like that you attempt to do all this with the self imposed limitation of using LEGO parts.
And without an Apple II
😂😂😂
People try and talk me out of it all the time, I enjoy the challenge. It's the journey not the destination 🙂
I like trains
Me too 😁. I just uploaded a part two to this video this morning 😀
Have you ever considered using pneumatics instead? Switch motors out for pistons, wires for hoses and power supplies for air tanks. All that good stuff.
I've used them for monorail switch tracks in one of the first videos on this channel. I think it's much easier and cheaper to just run a wire to each switch track than 2 pneumatic hoses to each switch track. It you've seen part two of this video I had a TON of switches and wiring was pretty easy
ive been watching this video over and over just so i know how these things work
Awesome! Part two of this video is in the pipeline, hoping to have it done in a couple weeks 😁
And here i am still asking where or how to buy lego piece or train track, he guess is isn't from the local toy store 😅
I get a lot of track from TrixBrix. This Sunday I'll have another haul from them including a bridge 😁
Wow, that was really cool! Now considering I don't have any lego trains yet I won't be using any of these for a while 😅
Tread carefully, it starts with a single set 😅
Very nice and informative video! I already knew the gearbox with 9V Technic motor and clutch method from an Arduino video and like it very much. You thankfully showed it in more detail.
I ended up having issues with that design, or more accurately the clutch gears can be unreliable. In part two of this video I'm using a different design that works much better
@@BatteryPoweredBricks At which time code? Do you mean the Power Functions solution at 2:00 ? (I have no PF stuff, and getting lots of IR receivers seems awkward to me since PF has already been given up by Lego years ago). By the way, did you remove the locking stubs of the actuator from the original Lego switch, in order to easen the movement, prior to installing the 9V Technic gear stuff and motor? The Arduino video presenting this gearbox does not say whether they easened the mechanism or not.
Oh it's a separate video (linked in the description of this one). I do use PF motors but I buy cheap ones from eBay for $5 or so each, make my own cables / adapters (I also have a dedicated video on that) but I still use the 9v system for control. Either a DACTA Control Lab, RCX or my solution with Lego 4.5v touch sensors and pole reverser switches (I have a dedicated video for my Lego and non-Lego control panels as well). I didn't want to have to modify the switches and really haven't needed to with the updated switch machine design
@@BatteryPoweredBricks Yes, in the meantime I had found the "part 2" video and will watch this.
Goals.
I love the setup..
Still a work in progress, learning some really cool techniques, having some really wild ideas to try out😅. Trying to expand the number of switches as much as I can
lol danm you are crazy rich siiiick stuff tho
I wouldn't say rich 😅. Its all from nearly 30 years of collecting, buying and selling on eBay / Bricklink and always having an eye out for good deals.
@@BatteryPoweredBricks danm yeah
Wow that’s just… awesome bro
Thanks! I'm hoping to get back to trains at some point. I have a lot of ideas and videos I need to follow up on
Why do you use NXT instead of ev3?
I only have one EV3 and only got it recently. The IR link sensors don't have a very good range so I use two NXT units on the layout. I'll get around to it eventually 🙂
@@BatteryPoweredBricks ok nice, I have one NXT and today I ordered another ev3 so im excited to be able to make multiple or bigger machines. unfortunately im kind of low on ideas at the moment but im sure some will come to me soon