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Researching a DCC booster circuit and DCC computer control
The concept... Ok, after a miriad of attempts to control my model railroads with computers (parallel port to relays, voltage controls, etc...) I decided it was time to go to DCC... I mean... why not...
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Odoriko 185 Series Decoder Install
[From Wikipedia:]The Odoriko (踊り子?) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by JR East which runs between Tokyo and Izukyū-Shimoda or Shuzenji. The limited express service was inaugurated...
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Prototype Booster Complete!
Well... after a night of work (and using my breadboard version as basis) of soldering and drilling I have a prototype! I've used off-the-shelf components to house the board and everything fits...
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EF81 (Twilight Express) DCC Decoder Install
Well... This wasn't anywhere near as easy as I was hoping... The Japanese really know how to use every last bit of space in their models and although the full-metal chassis adds a nice amount of weight...
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EF81 (Twilight Express) Marker Lights
Well, after a successful Decoder + Headlight install I thought I'd attempt to get the reverse marker lights going as well. I'd been told on the JNS forums that these lights are used very rarely in...
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Controlling the Booster from Linux
After losing the source code to my DCC Throttle application I decided it was time to get the whole system controlled from Linux (or, in my case, Debian.) I'd known that the DDW Server I'd been using...
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trainControl v0.1 created!
After 3 days of coding/learning/coding-again I managed to whip together a fairly usable *nix console application to control the DCC System. It is a client for the srcpd service mentioned previously and...
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trainControl evolves…
After a few more days of work the trainControl application has evolved further: Loading and saving of trains/connection config Resizable Add/Delete trains via interface Connect/Disconnect on the fly...
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Eizan Dentetsu (叡山電鉄) Kirara 900 Decoder Install
[PHOTO OF Kirara 900] I'd bought both the Maple Red and Maple Orange versions of this EMU back in 2006 when I first went to Japan and have always loved the quality and performance. Since the latest...
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DCC Booster Prototype Mark II
Ok, hot off the development 'floor': ...is the Booster Prototype 2. This now includes short-circuit protection! The final design will have 2 outputs (for two separate segments of track) at 3Amp each...
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PCB Design Complete
Well, after a long fight of finding appropriate software and then design I've finally sent off the final (if not entirely messy) design to the manufacturers... Sure, it's not as small as I would have...
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Final PCB Board Complete!
Well, Silver Circuits manufactured and delivered my PCB much much quicker than expected and I'm not complaining! And, last night, after a rush of construction... I couldn't get the board to work... The...
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DCC Booster Complete
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to finally announce that the Booster has been completed and tested. The final design incorporates the following features: Short Circuit Protection with a ~6sec timeout...
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Micro Ace 485 Series “あいづ” 6-Car Decoder Install
I found this for sale on eBay and, although it's JR East, I decided I could do with another 6-Car set. Being my first Micro Ace product, I was extremely impressed with the level of detail. I was also...
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DCC “Directional” Lighting without a Decoder
So, you have a 16-Car, 12-Car, 8-Car, 6-Car or 3-Car consist and you want to get the tail/head lights functioning correctly? Of course, you've already installed the expensive decoder in the engine car...
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Bamboo SL Sound Generator
Early this month, I was in Sydney for a weekend and it co-incided with the AMRA Annual Model Railway Exhibition. I was disappointed to not see the usual Japanese Layout by a well known Australian...
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