Updated with more questions starting here:
https://ogrforum.com/...12#79283631206891312
Original post:
Finally got back into this project and am trying to work out some details.
Looking at the previous thread from a couple years ago might be helpful: https://ogrforum.com/...s-it-possible?page=1
and the video here:
That was then. At this time I'm working on designing a bridge that could actually be sold to the public at large. To that end I have some questions for the folks that would have an interest in a product that lets them control LionChief/+/FlyerChief engines from their TMCC or Legacy remote.
The questions I need a consensus on before advancing in development are as follows:
1. What is the price point people would find reasonable for this product? In the simplest implementation I can do right now the bridge would allow control of up to three LC/+ locomotives from your Cab1/2. the hardware needed to accomplish that, however leaves plenty of room for expandability. to that end...
2. Is it worth while to increase the initial cost of the bridge to make it expandable to control more than three LC/+ engines? I am not entirely certain, but expect that it would add around $10 to the cost to provide for expandability. In exchange it will cost about half as much as the first bridge to add another module to control three more engines.
3. If an expandable design is chosen, how many LC/+ in total should it be capable of supporting? I think I can manage up to 24 total LC/+ engines from a fully expanded bridge before another "master" unit is needed. I won't know for sure until the code is written, but may run into other issues with a single master device controlling so many engines. Would a unit that can only be expanded to control 12, or 6 total engines be acceptable?
4. Are tactile, physical buttons and switches on the device for programing preferred or wanted? The implementation i'm currently working with uses the cab1/2 remote for most programing with perhaps 2 buttons on the bridge it's self. Do people prefer to use buttons or switches on the bridge to program it, or is it ok to program from the Cab remote?
5. Is there anyone in the Metro Detroit area that has a functional layout with Legacy AND LCS that might be willing to volunteer some time to help do some testing to insure the bridge is fully compatible with those systems? (DCS as well would be nice.) It is my intention for the bridge to be installed with the 9-pin serial port on the command base, and for any additional serial devices to then plug into a second serial port on the bridge device. I can think of no reason this won't work, but need to test it. It would also be nice to test the bridge with Legacy and DCS for compatibility. Once any obvious bugs are worked out, I'll probably look for a couple "beta testers" to try the device on their layouts.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, or forgot some of the ones I was thinking of and will add them, but thanks for whatever input can be offered.
JGL