Blaenau North - Control Panel

[berryr99]

The Blaenau North baseboard/legs/fiddleyard/fascia works are all completed. It now remains to lay and wire track and do the scenery.

There will be no room on the baseboard itself for the control panel and I was thinking of making a detachable "box" with the panel on top of it. The box would be connected to the baseboard wiring by a D plug/choc block. It would either bolt or clip onto the baseboard side.

It needs to be detachable to fit in the car.

I'm struggling to think of what the box should be made out of or how it should be made.

The wiring will all be under the panel so the box is just there to protect it.

I don't think there is a Maplins product that will be big enough and was just wondering if anyone had come across any products that would suit - dimensions of about 1 foot long, 6 inches wide and say 3 to 4 inches deep.

Thank you again

Bob Berry

[gtmspyder]

Hello Bob.

RS components used to offer aluminium boxes with a 4 screw lid of similar dimensions to what you have requested.

As I am now retired, I no longer have access to the RS catalogue but they are probably on line if Googled, there were many other configurations of boxes that would be suitable in the catalogue.


A quick look at the site on Google found this.  There are many more but they are pricey.

IP65 Grey Lid Enclosure, 240x191x107mm   
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Enlarge  IP65 Grey Lid Enclosure, 240x191x107mm IP65 Grey Lid Enclosure, 240x191x107mm 

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[Isle of Stoner]

Have you considered making the control panel integral with the layout? I only ask as having done it both ways, I would now always go for the integral approach. It is quicker to set up and has less margin for wiring problems.

Otherwise I'd say RS is a good bet.


John W

[B.Meldon]

I make control boxes out of wooden presentation boxes, old cutlery boxes, or any suitable sized wooden box. I keep a look out for these and then keep any I can get (usualy for free) until needed.

Here is a small wine presentation box:



That I made into a simple control box for a 1970

[berryr99]

Thanks Gents,

Both of these approaches look really do-able and I really like the idea of recycling old boxes and the laminated track diagram.

Bob

[petersmith1942]

Best reason for buying vintage wines that I have seen for a long time
Peter Smith

[Hugh Norwood]

RS are on
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/

Rapid are on
http://www.rapidonline.com/

I use Rapid and am happy with the service they provide. I've also used RS, who do retail to individuals (or they used to...)

[B.Meldon]

I tend to get all the switches and components I need from e-bay these days.

The SPDT centre off switches on the panel cost me about 80p each as opposed to about

[Hugh Norwood]

Here's the control box for Angst-Lesspork

It sits on a small de-mountable shelf at the rear of the layout. The transformers sit on a shelf below the layout, and the box has connectors for two hand-held controllers. As you can see, there's an illuminated mimic board that shows which track segments are live. It also shows which way the points are set.

It connects to the layout through four "D" series connectors. They can't be mis-connected as they are either different sizes or different gender. Here's a side-on photo


I'd show you a photo of the inside of the box, but that might prove too exciting for people of a tender disposition! :)

[berryr99]

Hugh,

Thanks for the info.

I fear my panel will be somewhat simpler than yours !

My knowledge of electronics is limited to say the least !

Bob B.

[Frank]

My word Hugh that looks a really neat job.

I particularly like the ergonomics.   Looks like it should be easy to use, unlike so many which are just poorly labelled banks of switches!

Frank

[berryr99]

Hugh,

Is a D connector what we use to join bits to the computer ?

If so I have tried them before but the soldering in such a tight space has always defeated me.

I know there is a choc block type of multiple connector that can be used - do you know of anything else that could be used ?

Thanks

Bob

[Hugh Norwood]

Hi Bob,
Sorry to say that I have no problem soldering "D" connectors - I realise that's no help to you.

I have seen these same connectors with screw terminals on the inside.

You would be looking for larger size multipole connectors if you want to go down the soldering route. You could have a look at SCART connectors (used for video) they have 21 pins. I have just checked and it looks like you can get both plugs and sockets for cable-mounting

[Isle of Stoner]

SCART plugs are the devils work and far harder to solder than a D pin because they seem to be made of very cheap plastic which melts at a lower temperature than solder so the pins just drop out or at best go wonky. Dreadful things. D pins are fiddly but at least built to a professional standard. I would advise persevering with the soldering. Lots of light and a magnifying glass on a stand with the plug firmly clamped.

John W

[berryr99]

Thanks for the advice - I will try with the D plugs

B.