Diode-Matrix and Relay boards for Staging Tracks

Update 11/22/11 - Due to some error on my part the Diode-matrix board shown here does not work will be either replace or most likely a difference path will be pursue for staging control.

I have been working on the control panel for Clarksville and Staging (I will make another post for the progress so far on the front panel later).

I thought I post the PC Board layouts for (1) Diode-matrix board for staging turnout control and (2) Relay board for staging track power control.

Both boards will receive there control signals from the (2) two 2-pole Six position selector switches that will be on the control panel for each end of staging, as a track is selected the corresponding turnouts for that end of the staging will align for that track and turn on power to it.  Position 6 on the selectors will be a all off for now. I am using 12 VDC 1A rated PC board relays for track power on/off.

Control Panel and Wiring

Quick and Short update.

Been working more on the track bus and feeders. Track Buses are all in and 2/3 of the currently installed track feeder are solder to the track buses.

Pull out of storage the old control panels from my HO Layout and mounted the first one. Going to re-use the EasyDCC Accessory Decoders for Turnout Control, but I am not going to connect them to the DCC system, so they will function more like  556 flip-flop timer circuit others use for turnout control. 

Wiring and Control Panels

All boosters are in and working. Have moved on to working on the bus wiring for the mainline track these week.

I have also been working and thinking about the control panels. Here are the preliminary layouts

Peco Turnout - Prep

A friend of mine ask for instructions on how I modified/prep my PECO Turnouts, most of what I did came from a on-line clinic reference by Rick Bell (http://dccinstallsandsales.com). I presently do not remember were I downloaded it from most likely from one of the MRR Forums or Yahoo Groups. email me if you would like a copy it's little over 2mb in size.

A backside view of a unmodified PECO Turnout note the existing jumper for the frog

First thing I did was remove the spring that holds the points in-place against the rails as I am going to use tortoise switch machines. I discovered, I had two different ways PECO manufactured their turnouts as shown below. 

Once the spring was removed. I had to drill a hole in the throw bar for the switch machine.

Next is to isolate the frog and wing rails from the points, by cutting two gaps in the wing rails.

I used a Zona Jeweler saw recommend on Fast Track website with No 2 Saw Blades (.028 x .013 x 43TPI) for the gaps.
 

 

Added jumpers from outside rails before the rail gaps to the frog, so to provide addition connectivity for the points.

Add a wire for the frog polarity change from switch machine. There is a couple ways of do this I solder the wire at the junction point of the existing jumpers.

To complete the isolation of the frog. I install the PECO insulated rail joiners on the two frog rails or you can use the metal one's and gap the rail at your preferred location.

Golden Spike - Mainline Track Installation Completed

With the completion of installing the Bridge and associated track each side the Mainline is complete and the Golden Spike as been driven.

Other work today was installing the Boosters along with power wiring, also got net wiring from the command station to the first two booster and the wireless working. With a couple of jumpers I got to run a train for a short distance today.

Also had my first group to visit the layout today so Thanks to Gary, Jan and Richard (who's been here before) for coming and the encouraging words guy's.