A bit over four years ago, we put together something called the “DCC auto-reverser” out of an Arduino, an LCD shield, and a motor shield. We designed it for the St. Louis Railway Prototype Modelers’ meet to just operate a train back and forth on our short test track, stopping and reversing the engine when it tripped a sensor at either end. We wrote up the build so that others could make their own, built one for Scott Thornton and his Milan Branch layout, and that was that.

I haven't seen my DCC box in over 10 years now.  I'm finally getting around to looking through it to see whats what (6 moves in 10 years hasn't done it any favors).  I have been able to match everything up with all the open bags or projects but one.

I believe it's for a Proto 2000 but that is just a guess.  Any input to point me in the right direction is greatly appreciated.  There is no markings on the decoder whatsoever.

Steve

This morning I went to the parts cabinets and rounded up some resistors and Miniatronics 15 ma bulbs and some 1/4 watt axial resistors. I used my DC power supply set to 12 volts. I don’t like big surprises.

I found that by experimentation the power for a pair of bulbs in parallel was enough to make me want to let go of the 90 Ohm resistor quickly. A lot of heat. A small surprise. The heat generated by a single bulb through a 180 Ohm resistor was quite warm and I was barely able to hold onto the resistor. The resistor size was chosen by light intensity.

Hi Folks:

Im looking for some simple block occupancy detectors that I can build myself. Between signaling and crossing gates etc, im gonna need a bunch and the NCE BD20 at 13 - 15 bux is kinda  out of my price range.  IM looking for something coil type that will output like closing a toggle switch -- so I can use it to input to the NCE Mini Panel -- im having a bit of an issue getting some of the manufacturers to respond to me, and would really like to just be able to buy the PC board and solder it up myself.