Doug I think that is an insult to Geoff and the hundreds of hours He has spent giving us all his sketches and projects and answering all our questions

it is not for him to explain to grade twelve work to grade ones

Geoff thanks once again for getting me started with Arduinos 

four super projects completed, grade crossing, servo control, loco net input for light control, loco net output from infra red detection, all working thru Digitrax and Railroad and co computer control

next project is going to be automated control of faller car systems

keep up the good work Geoff

"Ardunio started at Interaction Design Institute in Ivrea, Italy" , yes, he born in Italy but, friends, please, don't put any Arduino "in" the sea, and never "eat" ... it helps at a different "interaction" level:)

definively... it's NOT a "Sea food"!

Doug I think that is an insult to Geoff and the hundreds of hours He has spent giving us all his sketches and projects and answering all our questions ...

In the spirit of "the only stupid question is the unasked question", then I don't think Doug's post is insulting - he's just pointing out how some basic context every so often could be helpful, and he did sign his post "Respectfully, " ... so I don't think Geoff would see it as an insult.

We face the same thing with MRH. We regularly get requests from readers who are having problems getting a download of MRH to work - and when we tell them things like "do a right click", we may get back "what's a right click?"

Every so often we find we just need to tutor folks in the basics of using a computer device. It's just the way it works with technical stuff, and my advice is: get used to it.

Same here - repeating the basics every so often is a good idea. People aren't being mean, we're just getting new folks show up regularly and we need to remember to bring them up to speed by repeating a few basics.

Hi Doug,

your first paragraph  lost me entirely.

I'm not sure which paragraph you read first along the way, as this blog has evolved extensively
since the first entry, but I will try to make this more clear.

The Arduino is a set of tiny processors (computers) on boards, set up to allow easy use by people who want to use them as a tool, rather than focus on the details of the technology. They were originally conceived as a teaching tool in Italy. All aspects of their design and construction are available for public use with no restrictions. These are manufactured and distributed by many companies worldwide, some for as little as $2 quantity one including shipping!

With such a cheap and powerful tool, I have built and offered to the modeling community a series of tested, working, and packaged instructions (called Sketches or programs) to set up one of the smallest and cheapest of this family of modules, called the "Arduino Pro Mini" to act as a very low cost and versatile DCC decoder with many practical functions-- that is what these blogs are all about-- sharing my efforts with other modelers-- gratis. Yhis is not a commercial product, but I dare say there are hundreds, maybe thousands of these that are in use by modelers around the world-- judging from the feedback.

In the original effort, I pointed out that I am not a proponent of asking modelers to learn how to program-- just learn how to use these new tools. You can stop there or take it as far as you want. These are used in high schools and colleges all over the world to teach basic concepts. I am not trying to do that here, merely trying to show others that these little guys can add a great deal to your modeling enjoyment.

If you are interested, A step by step cookbook for the modeler can be found here:
Starting from Scratch with an Arduino Pro Mini (or Moteino):
http://mrhpub.com/2014-11-nov/land/#99

A good start for the Arduino Learning curve would be the tutorials at:
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage
and there are allot of topics there for search for a subject or browse
or
http://www.instructables.com/files/orig/F3J/MTJN/FVW22MXN/F3JMTJNFVW22MX...
or
http://www.richardvannoy.info/arduino.php
or
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/TUTORIALS

Now these offer info at different learning levels so pick one you are comfortable with, or ask a specific question and I will try to point you in the right direction.

If you are using an Arduino Pro Mini (cheapest full function available) you can also trytry:
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoProMini
for getting started. I have been told that the "Arduinos for Dummies" has been a good starting point for some people too.

This has become immensely popular and has provoked over 20 variations at modelers requests from around the world, most of which are covered in the following blog entries (including comments) in chronological order:

SMA10 – Build a 17-Function DCC Decoder for about $5  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19070

SMA12 - 17 Channel Configurable Multifunction $5 DCC Decoder For Servos  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19446

SMA 13 - Update to the 17 Pin Configurable Multi Function Decoder / Accessory Decoder Version Added  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19775

SMA15: New Dual Acessory-Multifunctionl 17 Channel Configurable DCC Decoders for about $5 with Configurable Servo Support  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/20739

Scale Model Animation 18: DCC Control for Random Building Lighting  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/23026

There are lots of great ideas in the blog comments from many modelers, so I think it might be somewhat useful to work your way through the discussions.

I have encouraged, and still encourage people to ask questions along the way, and if I can help, I will try, time permitting. There are many others in this forum who have contributed their ideas, encouragement, explanations, and insights too! All these are appreciated and welcomed! I hope this offers you, Doug, a bit clearer view of this effort.

And most important-- Have fun !

Best Regards,
Geoff Bunza

Mon, 2015-09-28 08:31 — Craigdhepburn

"Doug I think that is an insult to Geoff and the hundreds of hours He has spent giving us all his sketches and projects and answering all our questions

it is not for him to explain to grade twelve work to grade ones

Geoff thanks once again for getting me started with Arduinos 

four super projects completed, grade crossing, servo control, loco net input for light control, loco net output from infra red detection, all working thru Digitrax and Railroad and co computer con"

Craig, I don't understand your American 'grade' system, but I think I am the person being insulted here..... I know what a 'loco' is, I may well have traveled behind one before you were born. I know what 'Infra red detection' is, I used the same science to control bomb-lifts on an aircraft carrier, I know what a 'net' is, I use one when I am fishing.  I don't understand what they mean in this mutual juxtaposition.

Yes, as you said 'Keep up the good work, Geoff' but finally you are hoist by your own petard, you wrote

"next project is going to be automated control of faller car systems"

That I understand!

Is that 8-9 year-old language or good plain informative English?

If any of this is unintelligible to you, please feel free to ask me for an explanation...did I mention my degree in languages, or didn't you complete the same disciplines in Grade 1 to 12?

PACE

Doug

I regret if this has impacted on the value of Geoff's thread, but I feel the point I was trying to make was worthwhile, and written in the true meaning of 'hobby sharing'.

Geoff,

This is all new to me, and I thank you for taking the time and having the patience to explain the matter so succinctly in your post above. To discover [I think] that turnout control, locking and signal interlocking can be done by a readily available, and above all affordable 'printed circuit' is very interesting.

That such a thing exists should come as no surprise, but in the context of my father, who, born in 1907, before Frenchman Bleriot flew 20 mies from France to England, lived to see an American walk on the moon, we are all of us unaware of things happening around us to greater or lesser degree in other disciplines.

Just don't forget us 8-9 year olds!

Gratefully,

Doug

Hi Doug,

You're welcome!

Most of my articles are written for modelers, and I try to start simple and build from there. I approach my blogs differently, often without the thoroughness of an article, and I have been taken to task for this on several occasions, as readers here do not seem to distinguish my blogs vs. my articles! I try to improve on this over time. Nonetheless, if a question comes by from anyone who is trying to understand the technology or methods beyond the norm, I will delve into it more than usual (if I can!). Entering such a thread in the comments can lead to some befuddlement! However, model railroading is a great hobby to engender a very wide variety of interests. If you allow your curiosity to guide down new paths, there is so much to learn, even if it is not your primary interest or expertise.

Pelsea (his login name- like chubber- I don't know his given name) has several excellent active blogs in the MRH forum on understanding and using basic electronics in modeling. If you have some interest take a look:

Building simple circuits  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/23466

Build a crossing signal circuit  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/23504

Build an optical detector circuit  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/23535

Trying something new every once in a while can open up new opportunities for your modeling fun!    It certainly has in my own case.

Best regards,

Geoff

The web is a dynamic place and the thing I try to remember is newcomers show up all the time. Think of a thread like a discussion in a room with newcomers showing up all through the discussion.

Naturally, there will be newcomers who come in somewhat lost ... if they seem lost, it's not because they're trying to be difficult, it's because they just "parachuted in" and they may need some more context.

I see some forums where folks get rather rude to newcomers and their "pesky questions". We were all newcomers at one time, and if the old timers were rude to us, how would that have felt? Would we even still be here?

If we want the hobby (and MRH) to grow, then newcomers are a good thing, and the more accommodating we are to them, the better off we all are. That's why it's important to "just get used to repeating yourself" every so often, since that means we're attracting new blood!

But it does take some effort to help the newbies come up to speed, and those of us who already know the ropes by heart need to have some patience with the newbies - if we want more of them, that is!

P.S. Putting some real numbers to the newcomers, MRH is currently growing at 10% year-over-year, and we're reaching a couple thousand new folks interested in model trains every month over on Facebook.

Geoff,

We have been using a Chief systems at the club for several years now and would like to know if it would be possible to use the Switch function of the system to throw or close switch servos, i.e. emulating a Digitrax DS64 stationary decoder to control 16 switches with the Pro Mini vs. 4  with the DS64. The club has been forced to relocate and 2 layouts that have existed for 18 years had to be dismantled. We have acquired a new space and are beginning to plan replacement layouts. This would really reduce costs on the club layouts. This would free up a throttle from switch duty I think.  Might be wrong in my thinking here.

Regards,

Don Cummings

Just love this thread, thanks.

Hi Don,

if it would be possible to use the Switch function of the system to throw or close switch servos

By all means -- yes! The reason both servo control and Accessory decoder variants were added were due to modeler requests to do just what you ask.

emulating a Digitrax DS64 stationary decoder

I don't use DS64's, although I do use Digitrax systems. If there are other capabilities/features of the DS64 that you depend on, these features may not be in these simple decoders. Nonetheless, the "switch functions" on your Digitrax throttle will indeed work with the "Accessory" series of decoders.

Have fun! 

Best regards,

Geoff Bunza