Full function signal system

[DACS]

Today, I finished a turnout interlock signal.  One of several coming.
I have not been able to find any ladder stock for these signal masts.  Peco makes them, but it seems no one in the U.S. carries them.
At least not what I have been able to find on the I-net or two local model railroad hobby stores.
Perhaps someone out there reading this, might know where I can get these here is the U.S.
So, I thought I would try my hand at etching my own.  Well, I know now that I can do it!  The pics on the bottom, show this first attempt.
It really did not turn out as I would have liked, but I know that the reason being is, I used brass stock that was too thick and it had to stay in the acid way to long!
My next attempt, I will use brass sheet that is much thinner.  I used .20mm brass shim stock.
Next time, I will use .10mm shim stock.  That may be way too thick also.  Perhaps I should try the next one with .05mm shim stock.  That certainly will not have to be in the acid very long.





Still needing a hood on the green aspect.













As you can see about midway up, the acid went right through the side rail.  I also need to find a permanent marker that has a lot finer tip.

I discovered that making your own etchings, is not a difficult thing to do.  I also learned that you better have the right thickness of brass or you will eat up what you are trying to make.  I also learned, that brass etches slower than copper.
All things you might all already know.

Dave

Seattle

[DACS]

I have started showing too much signal.  I need to get back to the actual ABS part.  I have been working on some more drawings that I have been wanting to post, but making the signals got in the way.
I will catch up on these and begin posting actual signaling diagrams or schematics for you all to peruse.

Dave

Seattle

[DACS]

Making pcb', for some of you, may not be something you are interested in doing.
Today after work, I am stopping by my local R.S. and purchase some experiment boards.  I will show how each board is to be wired and interconnected with these.
It is pricey to do it this way but, if you are not equipped or ready to make your own pcb's, the cost in the long run, kinda works out for you.
The size of theses boards are actually, close to the same size as the homemade PCb's.
Instead of sharing here the process of making your own boards, this may make all this more clear and easier to follow.
No insult intended for anyone's abilities mean here.
If you can make your own boards, let me know and I will share the needed info.

Dave

Seattle

[Olddude]

Well, it has been a long time.
I am so sorry I broke my promise.
So many things happened between the time of my last post and then here.
Things went totally nuts in Seattle.
Lost my job, (the COVID syndrome).
Ended up living in my van. That was fun! Then I loaded all I could into my van and a 4x8 trailer.
Moved to West Virginia. Had friends here, who had a place for me to live.
Had to remodel the place extensively. But, it is now home!😃
That was six years ago.
I have tried many times to go at it again. But,  here I sit, 80 now and finding it very hard to start over.
The above is my excuse for breaking my promise.

Dave, Dacs, Olddud
West virginia
Horace and Williams Creek R.R.

I am not have any more birthdays. The candles have started costing too much.

[Bernd]

Dave,

Just quickly surfed through this post. I have an interest in electronics. I remember a couple of articles in both MR and RMC on signaling.

You get going again and I be following so close that if you stop I'll run you over. And I'm oldy 5 years younger than you.

Bernd

[Olddude]

Thank you for the post Bernd.
One of the reasons for the difficulty of starting up again, is my isolation. Internet, is non-existent here where I live. Tried one satellite provider, that was a bust. Am giving another a very hard look. Expensive! But I do miss the forum and sharing.

All I have at the moment, is my phone.

Not many hobby shops around here, so anything I buy in that regard, is on the internet.

Also, I have redesigned the signal system and do so want to share.

I do believe one member asked if this system would drive searchlight signals. Yes, it will. Type D and SA can be driven.

The LED's for searchlight, are very expensive though. Like 10.00 a pop.
Unless they can be bought less expensive someplace else that I am not aware of.
If anyone has this knowledge, a share of source would be appreciated, as I am a major fan of type SA myself.

Thanks
Dacs
West Virginia

[Bernd]

Little short of time here, but to answer you back. I'll get back later, like maybe around 4:00PM or after and read through your post here. We can discus some ideas on the subject plus the phone. I'll get into more detail when I'm back this afternoon.

Bernd

[Bernd]

Thank you for the post Bernd.
One of the reasons for the difficulty of starting up again, is my isolation. Internet, is non-existent here where I live. Tried one satellite provider, that was a bust. Am giving another a very hard look. Expensive! But I do miss the forum and sharing.

All I have at the moment, is my phone.

I take that you have tried Star Link? I have a cottage up in the 1000 Islands. They do have internet through the area. Last year Verizon ran fiber optic cable through our area. I was thinking of hooking up. I've read about Star Link and how T-Mobile was involved with that set up for testing. I'll be looking into Star-Link before we go back up this spring.

Not many hobby shops around here, so anything I buy in that regard, is on the internet.

Same here. I order through the internet. Love having the stuff delivered to the door in the winter.

Also, I have redesigned the signal system and do so want to share.

I do believe one member asked if this system would drive searchlight signals. Yes, it will. Type D and SA can be driven.

The LED's for searchlight, are very expensive though. Like 10.00 a pop.
Unless they can be bought less expensive someplace else that I am not aware of.
If anyone has this knowledge, a share of source would be appreciated, as I am a major fan of type SA myself.

Thanks
Dacs
West Virginia

I have done some electronics work in the 1980's and 1990's. Taught myself electronics by building Heath Kit's. First kit ever was R/C for model airplanes. Dad and I build one each. A friend back when I was working got me interested in digital logic. I went so far as to even build my own computer, an 80286 with DOS and was using a program call PADS to design circuit boards. I discovered ExpressPCB and ExpressSCH for designing boards. I'm a bit rusty on these since I haven't done any PCB designs in many years. Been to busy playing with my CNC machines. The one I just purchased recently is supposedly capable to doing circuit boards. I'd really like to try that out as soon as I find out more about the software needed.

Anyway, I'd like to see you start this subject up again since I'm very interested in building the circuit boards and circuit design along with building my own signals.

Sounds like this could be a fun subject to pursue again.

Bernd