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LVRALPH
Fireman
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 Posted - 04/26/2010 : 06:33:58 AM
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Well, studying Dr. Chubb's book i found my answer. I don't need the -12V. Each terminal of the switchmaster is connected to an output pin of a C/MRI card and that drives the turnout for each direction. Same with a tortise of you have them.
Also, it looks like I will be removing my DS-54's and selling them. (After getting the C/MRI to work) This will simplify the wiring under the layout and the C/MRI will control everything.
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/26/2010 : 06:48:35 AM
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While all this is happening the first step to actual construction was to find power for my system. Used computer power supplies are recommended by C/MRI users. Now this concerned me. These things are powerful. You could arc weld with them. You can get them for free or a minor charge from computer places. My computer guy has a bunch lying around and was glad to get rid of some junk. (treasure to me)
Being an electronic novice, I do not want to hurt myself or burn the house down. If you are going to do this please read this DISCLAIMER. I am not an electronics expert and you should consult one if you are unsure of what you are doing!
Here is the power supply with a crapload of wires coming out of it. I was able to identify most of the wires from info on the web. Blk was GND, Red +5V, yellow +12V. This is what is needed to power the system.
The problems with this type of supply is to first get it to turn on and then be able to identify what voltages the wires are. I'll go into that more in my next post.
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Edited by - LVRALPH on 04/26/2010 06:50:32 AM |
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/26/2010 : 07:04:04 AM
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Guy's Even if you are not using C/MRI our layouts need power for light's, switch machines, detectors, etc. This is a good way to provide inexpensive electrons for our layouts!
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adrian_batey
Crew Chief
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Posted - 04/26/2010 : 07:42:53 AM
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I have used computer supplies for a few things in the past. From memory to get it to turn on there is one lead that is for PSon and when shorted to ground the power supply will turn on. If you google it you should b able to find out which lead it is quickly. Once you get it to turn on you shouldnt have to much trouble using a multi meter to work out which voltages you need.
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LVN
Fireman
Premium Member
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MarkF
Engineer
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Posted - 04/26/2010 : 4:46:22 PM
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Ralph, as for the switch machines. As you know since you eneded up buying mine from me, I am not familiar with the DS-54's at all, but I was under the impression that they had an 'input' that could be used to throw the machine, such as from a button. So wouldn't the CMR/I do the same thing? The reason I ask is that from what I've read, you still need a board/interface between the CMR/I system and the switch machine. The output from CMR/I sends a signal to the switch machine interface board, telling it what to do. What I am wondering is if the DS-54 can be used the same way.
It would be ashame after all that effort you put into installing those things to have to rip them out.
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/27/2010 : 8:43:12 PM
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Mark, I know, what you mean, but this would actually simplify things. My research indicates I could control the DS-54's using JMRI along with the C/MRI. Maybe we are on a different page, but my research showed no interface board is required between the C/MRI and the machines.
With C/MRI two output pins from the SMINI or SUSIC control the turnout. The software connects the pin to ground completing the circuit. Bonehead simple. The software at the computer will activate the machine and there is a simple circuit for local control. It would be a bummer to have to run upstairs everytime I need to throw a turnout when restaging the RR.
I can actually rip some wiring and control busses out! With the DS 54 I have four buss wires! Two are the buss's that connect to the DS-54 booster and two for powering the DS-54! Plus the various cables from the DS-54 to the machine. With C/MRI it would be two wires, one for each terminal to turn the machine each direction.
Right now I have 2 DCC track buss's, one for each rail, a ground buss, a +12v and -12V buss, a +5V and -5V buss, and add the 4 DS-54 buss wires. A copper mine.
With C/MRI I would have +12V +5V and GRND. That would control all my signals, switch machines, and other stuff.
The trick will be to layer the C/MRI on top of the existing stuff, and gradually remove the DS-54's and old wiring so as to not be down for a long period. I know you want to come over and operate!
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Edited by - LVRALPH on 05/03/2010 07:49:38 AM |
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MarkF
Engineer
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Posted - 04/28/2010 : 12:59:37 AM
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Interesting! Well, I'll have to yield to your experience at this point as it's been a few years since I did any research and I've forgotten more than I remember at this point. But it sure does sound easier!
Yes, when's the next session?
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/28/2010 : 06:42:16 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by MarkF
Interesting! Well, I'll have to yield to your experience at this point as it's been a few years since I did any research and I've forgotten more than I remember at this point. But it sure does sound easier!
Yes, when's the next session?
I'd like to have one in July. I still have some items from last sessions punch list to fix. Plus I want to get you Bruce, and Hueber over to install an additional yard track at Coxton, plus install more UP-5's.
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/28/2010 : 7:46:03 PM
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Well, I got the power supply to work! As Adrian said above it was a matter of connecting the green wire to one of the grounds and the PS came on. I got this tip from a gentleman on the C/MRI yahoo group. This resouce is a must if you are going to build something like this.
So, I tested all the voltages and the wiring code was right on. Red +5V, yellow +12V, orange +3.3V, white -5V, blue -12V. The black wires were all grounds.
I then cut off all the connectors and grouped all the colors together. I figured out how many circuits I wanted then cut the remaining wires about 2 inches shorter. They are there if I need them.
I then crimped and soldered spade connectors to each wire. This is the weak point of a system like this, the connection points. So it takes more time, but is worth it. Here you can see I have a barrier strip attached.
Notice the green wire (PS on) permanently connected to one of the ground wires to activate the unit.
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Edited by - LVRALPH on 05/05/2010 07:30:34 AM |
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/28/2010 : 7:55:44 PM
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Next I then built a small shelf to mount the supply. I then set up another barrier strip and purchased some inline auto fuses from Radio Shark. I chose a fast acting .75 amp fuse to wire on each output line. I need to do some more research regarding if this is the proper size. I think I am being conservative in my choice.
Be very carefull here. There is a link in the JMRI files section a gentleman whose wiring burned after a short developed down line of the PS. Almost caused a house fire, so this is not to be taken lightly.
I have fused 2 output lines. One is +12V and the other +5V. These are needed to run the system.
My next thing is to draw up what I have just done. I need to document this real good and label all wires.
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Edited by - LVRALPH on 05/05/2010 06:49:16 AM |
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MarkF
Engineer
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Posted - 04/28/2010 : 8:40:28 PM
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Your moving right along Ralph! I do appreciate this step by step as I don't ever recall seeing anyone do something like this anywhere, and I am sure there are a lot of people out there who would like to build their own system but with no resource available to them. Keep it coming!
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Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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slimjerkins
Fireman
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Posted - 04/28/2010 : 11:16:52 PM
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Hey Ralph
You current on the fire insurance payments?
-slim
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/29/2010 : 05:35:51 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by slimjerkins
Hey Ralph
You current on the fire insurance payments?
-slim
I'm Mr. Resistor! I don't need no stinkin fire insurance!
See if you can get Jimmy to fix my log on problems at his forum. He says I am banned because Scott does not like CPA's. Hey, me and Scott are tight!
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LVRALPH
Fireman
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Posted - 04/29/2010 : 05:40:44 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by MarkF
Your moving right along Ralph! I do appreciate this step by step as I don't ever recall seeing anyone do something like this anywhere, and I am sure there are a lot of people out there who would like to build their own system but with no resource available to them. Keep it coming!
Mark, my exact reason for doing this. The Chubb book, yahoo group, and other resourses are great tools. But in doing my research this left a big gap for me.
So if an electronics novice can ask all his questions and solve them in one place, I think a lot more people would do something like this.
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Edited by - LVRALPH on 04/29/2010 2:03:53 PM |
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