My First Scratch Operating Accessory

Good job jrmertz!!!!!!!!!!!!  It looks just fine to me.  Approximately what was the total cost?

I don't recall exact cost, many things I had already and some things I bought in multiples for future products. I can say with certainty the most expensive part was the mini commander Acc at $40. Total, this project is probably around $70 with many extra parts for future projects. 

JRMERTZ,

I had this on my bucket list. I also was planning on using the mini commander 2 to do this, but was going to see if I can do with Cresecent Locomotive Works Water Column. How did you attach the motor to the column?

Chris 

The motor had a 3mm shaft. I found a gear with a 3mm hole (traxxas brand I think). It tightens to the motor shaft with a little screw. I super glued that gear to the bottom of my water column. Hope this makes sense.

Side note, I used the mini commander Acc because of the control over the aux 1 and aux 2 buttons. You can set their voltage and make them momentary. 

Excellent job, I will take it!!!

Great job, I bet its going to be one of the highs of your layout when everyone sees it!

An update with some Ballasting done and in place next to my coal tower. 

jrmertz posted:

The motor had a 3mm shaft. I found a gear with a 3mm hole (traxxas brand I think). It tightens to the motor shaft with a little screw. I super glued that gear to the bottom of my water column. Hope this makes sense.

 

Side note, I used the mini commander Acc because of the control over the aux 1 and aux 2 buttons. You can set their voltage and make them momentary. 

jrmertz, 

That just make sense it seems better than what I was thinking. I was going to insert tubing into the column to attach the motor, but it would be very hard to match up the inside diameter of the column to the tubing to get everything to fit. I like your method to attach the motor to the column. I assume the gear is plastic or is it brass? If you don't mind, what motor did you use?

Ok, I assumed you used the mini commander 2. I was thinking of using the mini commander 2, because it would allow the column to rotate using the wheel on the legacy remote. 

Chris 

It was a brass gear. I was thinking about using a mini commander for an engine to use the wheel, however the motor was only rated for 6 volts. The mini commander allows you to set the output voltage. I actually have mine set at 4 volts. 

This is is the motor I used:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BM...ords=6v+Geared+motor

JRMETZ,

   Fantastic engineering project, congrats on a job well done!

PCRR/Dave

jrmertz posted:

It was a brass gear. I was thinking about using a mini commander for an engine to use the wheel, however the motor was only rated for 6 volts. The mini commander allows you to set the output voltage. I actually have mine set at 4 volts. 

 

This is is the motor I used:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BM...ords=6v+Geared+motor

 

jrmertz, 

Thanks for the info. I can now see your point in regards to the mini commander vs. mini commander acc. 

Chris 

Thanks Dave and everyone!

Outstanding job!!! 

George

thanks George!

JRMERTZ,

You have me thinking about the way I was going to do this and I think it may make more sense to use the mini commander ACC. I was looking at the instructions for the ACC and wanted to ask you a few questions, that is if you don't mind. 

1. Did you program this as an engine or acc? 

2. I take it you use the rserve polarity circuit, since you can't change direction via the ACC?

3. What are you powering the ACC with? Track power or accessory transformer? 

Thanks in advance,

Chris

crood58 posted:

JRMERTZ,

You have me thinking about the way I was going to do this and I think it may make more sense to use the mini commander ACC. I was looking at the instructions for the ACC and wanted to ask you a few questions, that is if you don't mind. 

1. Did you program this as an engine or acc? 

2. I take it you use the rserve polarity circuit, since you can't change direction via the ACC?

3. What are you powering the ACC with? Track power or accessory transformer? 

Thanks in advance,

Chris

I programmed the mini commander as an accessory. 

I power the mini commander from the track and the mini commander powers the motor. 

I built a simple circuit to reverse the polarity. It uses two relays. The Aux 1 output goes to a bridge rectifier, from their the positive goes to the normally closed on one relay and the negative goes to the normally closed on the other relay.  This way when you press aux it just power the motor.  The Aux 2 output goes to a bridge rectifier, then the rectified voltage goes two places.  1 it goes to power both relays so the normally open connections will be closed.  2 it goes to the normally open connections opposite of the normally closed.  When your press aux 2 it will power both relays which will reverse the polarity  

JRMERTZ:

Super, super job.  I have not seen anything like it around.

Very clever.

That is just flat out awesome !  Thanks for sharing your project.

Ed

thanks Tom and Ed!

Very cool.  Nice job.

thank you Dan!