If you want to build your own...

Other than the IR Sensor, the rest of the setup is just built from stock Arduino components:

• Arduino Mega
• Motor Shield
• LCD Shield

The source code is available on GitHub if you want to build your own:

https://github.com/IowaScaledEngineering/dcc-reverser

Michael Petersen
Iowa Scaled Engineering, LLC

Analog or DCC?

Dear Scott, Michael,

Is the signal/power at the rails DCC or analog?

If DCC, how does the "brains" know which loco address to change-direction of?

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

DCC or Analog?

The module is DCC.  I was originally going to make it just send the same throttle setting to every possible locomotive address (or a large range), but that requires you to only have one locomotive on the track at a time.  In order to support a mode where multiple locomotives are on the tracks, but you only want one to move, I made the address configurable.

There is a configuration portion of the code where you can enter up to 16 locomotive addresses via the LCD shield.  These are then stored to EEPROM so they are always available.  Then, in normal mode, you can select one of those 16 addresses to control.

In addition to selecting locomotive address, you can also set the speed and the momentum settings.  The momentum controls the ramp down and ramp up in the speed after triggering an IR sensors at the end of the run, providing a bit more graceful reverse action.

The module also learns the orientation of the locomotive relative to the IR sensors.  Just place the locomotive on the track between the sensors and go.  It will then figure out which sensor is in the forward direction and continue to ping-pong from there.

Michael

I want one!

to use on some temporary track on my layout - so to run a set of power light, while I'm working on the roadbed.

Great idea!

"Thru Mode" for Manual/Auto operation changeover?

Dear Michael,

Any chance of some-form of "Host Thru" mode, 
(either an active DCC command merge, or raw at-rail signal switching system),

such that swapping between the "Shuttle" unit and the layout "Host DCC system" (NCE, Digitrax, etc),
on the shuttle route can be achieved via single "Manual/Auto" toggle switch or similar?

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

For Scott's application, the

For Scott's application, the intent was to simply place a DPDT switch inline with the track bus.  One side would go to the normal DCC system and the other to the reverser.  You then select which mode the layout is in by setting the switch appropriately.  Is something like that what you are thinking?

Or are you asking whether you could still operate a locomotive under manual control on the same electrical section that the reverser was operating on at the same time?

Michael

That'd work...

Dear Michael,

The DPDT solution would likely work for the application I'm thinking of....

although being able take a feed from the "Main Track Buss" (powered by the Host/Primary DCC system),
feed it thru the "Shuttle unit",
and then get a "merged" result Track Buss to feed to a chosen "shuttle route" of trackage
(presumably effectively a physical "PointA to PointB" situation,
such that the train on the shuttle route always hits the IRSense detectors),

would be very very cool

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
 

Sorry, but

Maybe I just missed it, but I looked at the Iowa Scaled Engineering website for this and I don't see it (or at least by an obvious title like "DCC Auto-reverser").  Can someone link it?

Availability

This was originally just a special project for Scott, so at the current time it is mostly a DIY project.  It hasn't been productized yet, but if there's enough interest, we can certainly consider it.  You can buy the IR sensors here:

http://www.iascaled.com/store/CKT-IRSENSE

The rest of the Arduino components are made by other companies:

Arduino Mega: http://store-usa.arduino.cc/products/arduino-mega-2560-rev3

Motor Shield: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoMotorShieldR3

LCD Shield: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13293

There are also a number of cheaper sources for the Arduino components through places like eBay.

The Arduino source code can be found here:

https://github.com/IowaScaledEngineering/dcc-reverser

If the DIY approach doesn't appeal to you, let me know (support@iascaled.com) and we can help get you going.

Michael

Ah

I misunderstood, I thought it was a product offered in the store.  Thanks for the clarification.

Building your own...

I posted a more detailed set of instructions for building your own auto reverser:

http://www.iascaled.com/dcc-auto-reverser/

Michael

Thanks for the instructions, Michael

That was very nice of you to post the detailed instructions for the reverser, Michael. I’m sure those interested will be very happy. 

For those interested in the reverser, please note that the purveyors of Iowa Scaled Engineering, Michael Petersen and Nathan Holmes, are two very nice people who work hard to provide quality electronic components to the modeling community. I would encourage you to check out their product line on their web site and consider purchasing from them. Their customer service is absolutely second to none. And, they are always open to new ideas and depending on your idea may help you see your concept to production. They have helped me numerous times with electronic needs and other modelers as well such as Tony Koester with his automated interlocking which was featured on a segment of TMTV.