Electronics SIG Zoom meeting 18 April 2024
Six members attended the Zoom meeting: Tom Alexander, David Cooper, Graeme Dunbar, Stephen Hulme, Hugh Norwood, Stephen Rainsbury.
There was a wide-ranging discussion on various subjects such as using sound (clicks) to locate locos on a layout (akin to some early digitising tablets); various controllers; and what the split might be between DC and DCC within the 009 "universe" (the answer to that being – nobody knows!)
Stephen H. gave a very informative presentation of his current project on detection of trains (individual wagons) using retro-reflective infrared transceivers, in order to eventually automatically shunt wagons in a train. He showed us his results to date and how he can detect direction and even determine in some cases, which wagon has passed over the sensors.
Tom showed us a double-ended train ferry he is working on that will have an on-board microcontroller that will open and close the end gates, turn on and off the lights and apply power to the track in the correct direction. The hull is a 3D printed model from Tom's own printer.
The next meeting will be on 30 May – details elsewhere
H.N. April 24