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posted: 21 Oct 2017 23:52 from: Rob Manchester
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Hi, Prompted by a reply on another Templot thread tonight I would be interested to know any thoughts or owners experiences on the MERG kits for a DCC command station and handset as reviewed in BRM last year. It would make joining MERG worth it to get a full feature system for a very reasonable price. Some of the kits for signal and turnout control sound interesting too. Regards Rob |
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posted: 22 Oct 2017 10:50 from: Charles Orr
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Hi, I have been a member of MERG for at least the last 10 years, Templot even longer. I have built a full CBUS DCC system, comprising a handset, command station and boosters. I use it to control my still evolving layout. I started many years ago with a ZTC system, changed to Lenz and now CBUS DCC. I'm very happy with the precise, flexible control it provides and would thoroughly recommend it. So for me it's TEMPLOT for track and MERG for control. I'm also one of the kit elves and put together the HECTOR train detector kits. Got to keep busy in retirement. Best regards Charles |
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posted: 22 Oct 2017 22:29 from: FraserSmith
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Hi Rob Thanks for starting this thread and giving the opportunity for others to hear about what MERG can offer. Charles has described his experience with the DCC modules and I can concur with his findings. What I was talking about is the CBUS system that works in the same way and using the same CAN chips as is used in modern cars. The system works with producers that respond to say a switch on a panel or a track detector and send out a message on the two bus wires that gets to all the consumer modules but only the one or ones that have been taught to do something do what they have been taught to do. This could be drive a servo to change points or a semaphore signal or light light a colour light signal or whatever. The CANPANEL unit can monitor 64 switches and drive 64 LEDs to monitor a control panel. The new CANMIO can have 16 channels as a mixture of input or output that can be servos or powered items like LEDs and all connected by just two signal wires and a 12V supply. If you need any more information then please ask. Fraser Another Elf that assembles kits. |
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posted: 22 Oct 2017 23:35 from: Rob Manchester
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Hi Fraser and Charles, Thanks for your contributions regarding Merg products. I was thinking about remote level crossing gate operation the other day and started thinking about using servos to make it happen. With double gates on each side to span a double track you would need to have the entry side ( left ) gates close first and open last with the right gates closing and opening after and before ( sorry, not very good english there ). Sure you get my drift. Is the DCC control system a British designed product ? If so, why does the hand unit have 'consist' on it - that is an american term to suit their multi unit lash ups. Surely for the UK we would only have a pilot or bank engine in addition to the train engine so it would be better to call it DH for double header or similar. Just a thought although it may cause confusion with DCC chips having CV's called consist address and such like. Elves back to work. Watch this space. Rob |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 08:43 from: Charles Orr
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I use servo's to drive my turnouts and the CANMIOServo is perfect for that. In addition, my control panels are being built using other suitable CBUS modules. I'm also doing a lot with 3D printing using a Prusa I3 Mk2. I have a Mk3 on backorder. Using Fusion 360 I have designed a turnout operating unit that does not use a wire pivot, based on the design of another MERG member. This looks more prototypical. Plenty to learn. Best regards Charles |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 10:06 from: Judi R
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Rob Manchester wrote: Is the DCC control system a British designed product ? If so, why does the hand unit have 'consist' on it - that is an american term to suit their multi unit lash ups.It is British designed but uses the internationally recognised terminology. Thus we have "consisting" for "double heading". If you want to use a banking engine, you might wish to drive that separately in any case so that you can accelerate to catch up at the beginning of the push and then drop away gently at the top of the climb. Declaration of interest: I am the Kit Sales Manager for MERG. Judi |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 10:27 from: madscientist click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
I'm a MERG member and can vouch for the MERG DCC system , that EV found it does what it says on the can , and a few more things as well Obviously you need a certain competence in electronics and debugging , but the MERG forum is a great resource The other advantage is you can customise see the whole system , I'm currently building my DCC throttles for not a panel mounted system aka what we all used before " walk around " controllers ( which are largely useless in a signalled layout anyway ) |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 22:46 from: Tony W
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Rob Manchester wrote: I was thinking about remote level crossing gate operation the other day and started thinking about using servos to make it happen. With double gates on each side to span a double track you would need to have the entry side ( left ) gates close first and open last with the right gates closing and opening after and before ( sorry, not very good english there ). Sure you get my drift.Hi Rob. I don't think you need to go to those lengths. I have been watching a DVD about Level Crossings and with one exception, all 4 gates move together, which tallies with my memory of how they worked. The exception was where the road was considerably narrower than the railway and the gates overlapped when closed to road traffic. It should also be noted that often all four gates were not the same length, a shorter one being paired with a longer one. Such is the case with the example I plan to model, one gate in each pair has 2 panels and the other 3. Servos are not something I have used so far, so cannot comment on that aspect of things. Regards Tony. |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 23:12 from: Rob Manchester
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Judi R wrote: Rob Manchester wrote:Hi Judi,Is the DCC control system a British designed product ? If so, why does the hand unit have 'consist' on it - that is an american term to suit their multi unit lash ups.It is British designed but uses the internationally recognised terminology. Thus we have "consisting" for "double heading". If you want to use a banking engine, you might wish to drive that separately in any case so that you can accelerate to catch up at the beginning of the push and then drop away gently at the top of the climb. Thanks for the thoughts on the consisting aspect. If you want a free review of the DCC control system I am ready - providing I get to keep the kits once built of course Rob |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 23:18 from: Rob Manchester
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Hi Tony, Thanks for the input. You may well be right on the sequence of operation. It would of course depend if the gates were operated remotely from a 'box' or were physically shoved open in tuen by the signalman/crossing keeper. Gates that slid sideways are another one to consider. They were quite regionalised if I remember and were not too common if I recall correctly. After all closing the gates across the railway wouldn't be of much help in stopping a train but did fulfill the function of fencing it off to the public. Rob |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 23:38 from: Judi R
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Rob Manchester wrote: If you want a free review of the DCC control system I am ready - providing I get to keep the kits once built of coursePhil Parker did exactly that for publication in the November 2016 BRM. A copy of the article is available on the MERG public website (with permission). |
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posted: 23 Oct 2017 23:43 from: Rob Manchester
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Thanks Judi, I have read the article. I think I will buy a basic DCC system as a) I like making electronics projects and b) I can justify it for my test bench where I build, convert, weather and setup locos and stock. They then go to the the room with the layouts in where I have a Prodigy Wireless system. Rob |
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posted: 24 Oct 2017 09:35 from: FraserSmith
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Hi Charles What will you be doing with the old machine when the new one arrives? I might be interested in buying it unless you are going into mass production of bits. Thanks Fraser |
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posted: 25 Oct 2017 17:46 from: Charles Orr
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Fraser, I've not yet decided what to do with the first machine, but I have said to Howard that I'm happy to help printing the MERG 3D kits. If I do decide to sell it then I will be in contact with you via PM. Best regards Charles |
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posted: 25 Oct 2017 23:01 from: FraserSmith
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Thank you Charles I'll await the possible PM. Cheers Fraser |
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posted: 25 Oct 2017 23:40 from: Andrew Barrowman
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FraserSmith wrote:
Could be a long wait! (I recently discovered PMs are not supported here ) |
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posted: 26 Oct 2017 00:30 from: Martin Wynne
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Andrew Barrowman wrote:(I recently discovered PMs are not supported here )Hi Andy, Every member can choose to make their email address visible to other members via the settings in their Profile: http://85a.co.uk/forum/my_account.php?edit_profile=1 Only members of Templot Club can see the email address. It's not visible to non-members or search engines. I switched off the PM system for what I regard as good reasons, although hardly anyone agrees: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigatory_Powers_Act_2016 cheers, Martin. |
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posted: 26 Oct 2017 08:35 from: Charles Orr
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Andrew, A PM to Fraser is available through the MERG forum and that is what I was referring to. Best regards Charles |
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posted: 26 Oct 2017 17:31 from: Andrew Barrowman
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Charles, Thanks for the clarification. That should work a lot better I'll be interested to hear how the new printer behaves. (I'm using a Folger Tech i3.) It's unlikely I'll ever move to DCC but I might move to battery powered radio-control. I just ordered some bits to try it out. Cheers, ab |
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posted: 26 Oct 2017 19:30 from: madscientist click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
......most of which has been struck down by the ECJ by the way ( to HM Gov annoyance ) |
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Last edited on 26 Oct 2017 19:31 by madscientist |
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posted: 26 Oct 2017 19:53 from: Martin Wynne
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madscientist wrote:most of which has been struck down by the ECJ by the way ( to HM Gov annoyance )Yes I know, although not "most". Nevertheless in the modern world I'm not prepared to have any content on my server which I don't know about. Sure I could monitor PMs by delving into the database, but I've got better things to do with my time. On Templot Club I'm providing a public software support forum, not a means of private communication. That's what email is for. cheers, Martin. |
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posted: 26 Oct 2017 20:17 from: Andrew Barrowman
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Martin Wynne wrote: madscientist wrote:Martin,most of which has been struck down by the ECJ by the way ( to HM Gov annoyance )Yes I know, although not "most". I think you made the right decision. It's just not worth the potential aggravation. Andrew |
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