Make you own Loconet throttles

[Dani]

Hello,

 

As requested in other thread, I'm posting here the information on how to build your own Loconet throttles. 

Some time ago I build a throttle using a PSX DenshaDeGo controller:

 

 

 

 

I wrote a post with all the information here in my blog: http://www.clubncaldes.com/2016/12/psx-denshadego-loconet-controller.html

 

It's not finished yet as I have to add a keyboard to select the locomotive number, or a display to show direction, speed and functions state. But you can use it as a basis to finish it.

 

You have to use an Arduino plus a Loconet shield. You can build you own loconet shield or buy it from the Rocrail site. Adding the Loconet libraries in your Arduino environment you will have plenty of examples to build modules, panels, fastclock, throttles......

 

Libraries are free to download from MRRWA site: http://mrrwa.org/download/

And also in this web page you have the instructions to build you own loconet interface for arduino, is quite simple: http://mrrwa.org/loconet-interface/

 

The throttle example included in the libraries receives the commands from the serial port and sends the corresponding Loconet commands to manage your trains. Using this example as basis, you can connect potentiometers (lineal or dial ones), buttons, displays, a Wii nunchuck or any other device to build the throttle you wish.

 

I hope to encourage you to build your own Loconet stuff, I'm sure you will have fan with it!

 

Cheers,

Dani

Edited December 5, 2016 by Dani

[kvp]

Thanks! It's very interesting. Instead of supporting the loconet dispatch protocol designed for displayless utility throttles, you used a fixed array of assigned loco addresses to take control of. This actually allows loconet based train control without a displatch panel. I also didn't know that there is an off the shelf PSX interface library for the Arduino platform. Great information for people who would like to create their own throttles.

[NXCALE]

Thank you very much Dani.

Very interesting and tempting information.

It makes me think about DCC as an option for the first time.

 

Cheers,

 

Nxcale

[JR 500系]

This is very interesting! Thank you for sharing this! Now we know what to do with those ps1 densha de go controllers!

 

Can the brake lever be also twitted to perform braking, like what the Tomix N-DU204-CL?

[Dani]

Yes, the current sketch should work like that. Left lever is only to accelerate, and right lever is only to break. I'm not a train driver, I just supposed it works in this way. But if you try it and feel something should be changed, just send me a message or open an issue in the github repository and I'll try to fix it as soon as possible.

 

Cheers,

Dani

[warnerj01]

Cool. I bookmarked the website. I will have to read it when I get a chance.

Thanks

Edited December 7, 2016 by warnerj01