PICAXEPIC 1 2015 East Coast Large Scale Train Show Dave Bodnar March 27, 2015 York, PA Electronics,...

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2015 East Coast2015 East CoastLarge Scale Train ShowLarge Scale Train Show

Dave BodnarDave Bodnar

March 27, 2015March 27, 2015

York, PAYork, PA

Electronics, Microcontrollers & Trains

Electronic Gizmos, Gadgets, Tips, Tricks & More!

What’s This Arduino I’ve Been Hearing About?

This presentation isavailable on-line at:

www.trainelectronics.com or www.davebodnar.com

Revised 03-27-15

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ObjectivesObjectives• Demonstrate various devices & projects that

utilize microcontroller operation …

• … and some that do not!

• (Hopefully) Excite you with the possibilities and

enable you to begin experimenting and enhancing your railroad!

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Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered• PICAXE review – What is it? Why use it?

How do we use it?• Three Garden Railways PICAXE articles• Two Model Railroad Hobbyist PICAXE articles• Revolution Train Engineer for HO (and G!)• Introduction to Arduino & some of my projects• Tips, Tricks, Tools• New & improved gizmos & gadgets

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PICAXE BasicsPICAXE Basics

• You can view my introductory PICAXE seminars on YouTube • davebodnar.com or

trainelectronics.com • Under Presentations • Or search www.YouTube.com for

“Bodnar PICAXE”

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Links for You!Links for You!

• A file that includes links to most (hopefully all) items mentioned is on– www.trainelectronics.com – and– www.davebodnar.com

• This PowerPoint is there, too

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Garden Railways Garden Railways PICAXE ArticlePICAXE Article

April 2013 Issuepages 54-59

Contains a detailed introduction to the PICAXE and several projects

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Garden RailwaysGarden RailwaysPICAXE ArticlePICAXE Article

Shows how to build:• Single LED

Lighthouse• Single LED Mars

Light• Morse Code Beacon

All using the same circuit

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PICAXE - What You NeedPICAXE - What You Need1. Computer with

serial port or …

USB to serial adapter or …

USB programming cable

2. Windows computer running free PICAXE software (Mac & Linux, too)

3. Power source– 3 @ AA cells = 4.5 volts

08M2 available from phanderson.com or sparkfun.com for < $3.00 each

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PICAXE ProgrammingPICAXE Programming

• Download and install Editor

• Connect programming cable

• Select the PICAXE chip

• Load or cut & paste program

• Download program to PICAXE

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Lighthouse Beacon #NO_DATA 'speeds up programming

#Picaxe 08M2 'identify the chipSETFREQ m32 'speed it up to 32 MHzSYMBOL Loopie = b2 'label variable b2 as LoopieSYMBOL Brightness = b1 'label b1 as BrightnessSYMBOL Dlay = 150 'set constant Dlay to 150Start:For Loopie = 0 to 100 step 1 '100 steps from off to brightbrightness=255-loopiepwmout c.2, brightness, loopie 'use PWM to brighten the LEDpause Dlay 'pause a bitnext loopie 'get the next item in for/nextpwmout c.2, 255,1023:pause 1000 'flash to full bright brieflyfor loopie = 100 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwardsbrightness=255-loopiepwmout c.2, brightness,loopiepause Dlaynext loopiepause 2000 'pause a bit with LED offgoto start 'do it again!

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Single LED Mars light

#NO_DATA 'speeds up programming

#Picaxe 08M2 'identify the chip

SETFREQ m32 'speed it up to 32 MHz

SYMBOL Loopie = b2 'label variable b2 as Loopie

SYMBOL Brightness = b1 'label b1 as Brightness

SYMBOL Dlay = 2 'set constant Dlay to 2

Start:

Gosub ShortFlash 'do the shorter flash routine

Gosub LongFlash 'do the longer flash routine

GOTO Start: 'repeat

ShortFlash: 'a label

For Loopie = 0 to 100 step 1 '100 steps from off to bright

brightness=255-loopie

pwmout c.2, brightness, loopie 'light the LED

pause Dlay

next loopie

for loopie = 100 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwards


pwmout c.2, brightness,loopie

sertxd (#loopie, " ")

pause Dlay

next loopie

return 'return to the point where the routine was called

LongFlash: 'do the longer flash

For Loopie = 0 to 255 step 1 '255 steps from off to bright


pwmout c.2, brightness, loopie

pause Dlay

next loopie

for loopie = 255 to 0 step -1 'repeat above backwards


pwmout c.2, brightness,loopie

pause Dlay

next loopie

return

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Morse Codebeacon

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Garden RailwaysGarden RailwaysPICAXE Article #2PICAXE Article #2

Focus is on a more advanced PICAXE chip

August 2014 issue

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PICAXE ArticlePICAXE Article

• Article #2 includes:– Working with multiple LEDs (up to 6)– Working with trigger inputs– Working with variable inputs (potentiometer)– Lots of projects / programs

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Article #2Article #2Custom Circuit BoardCustom Circuit Board

• I designed boards that support– up to 6 LEDs– 2 trigger switches – 2 potentiometers– 6 power transistors– 5 volt regulator

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Article #2 - ProgramsArticle #2 - Programs

• Crossing signal with two triggers

• Traffic light

• Emergency vehicle lights

• High power LED ditch lights

• School bus strobe light

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PICAXE ArticlePICAXE Article

• Article #3 • Two Parts: June & August 2015

• Train Detection – Using Infrared sensors

• Automatically trigger & stop crossing signal and other events

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Updated Cruise ControlUpdated Cruise Control

• Same IR sensor can be adapted to make an Eggliner or other small engine automatically slow as it approaches a train.

• Video on YouTube

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VideoVideo

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#1 Tip Ever - Adhesive#1 Tip Ever - Adhesive

Great for quick temporary or permanent connections– Similar to the “goo” on the

back of a new credit card– I use it in place of hot melt

glue– DOTS brand– Michaels (don’t forget the

40% off coupon!)

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Tip - SolderingTip - Soldering• A good iron makes you a better solderer!

– MPJA.com

– Item #ZD 929C – $46.95– Digital

temperature readout

– Replacement handle assembly $6.95

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Tip - SolderingTip - Soldering

• A clean tip makes all the difference.• http://www.dealextreme.com

• Item 34154 • $6.03

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Tip: Make MagazineTip: Make Magazine• Excellent source of

ideas and projects

• Not model railroad focused

• “Maker” focused

• Lots of excellent tips, projects & news

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Tip: MRH MagazineTip: MRH Magazine

– Free, on-line model railroad magazine– Mostly smaller scales– … but great articles that can easily be

adapted to larger scales– Don’t forget to check out their forum, too

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Tip: Nuts & Volts MagazineTip: Nuts & Volts Magazine

– Lots of PICAXE and Arduino projects & tutorials

– Back issues are available on CD

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Revolution for HO Revolution for HO & Others& Others!!

• Designed for HO but can be used with smallerG-scale locomotives &trolleys

• Available now

• Cost: $299 starter set $403 for 6 receivers

• http://www.crest-electronics.net/ho-revolution.html

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Revolution for HORevolution for HO• Very similar to the G-scale

version but incompatible transmitters & receivers

• Probably due to: – Size issues with the G-scale

radio receiver– Not needing the range of G-

scale allowed smaller components to be used

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Revolution for HORevolution for HO

• Transmitter operation and setup are nearly identical

• Main difference is that sound options (volume, steam vs diesel sound, etc) are in a menu, not on the main buttons

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• All receivers include sound

• diesel or steam – (selectable on transmitter)

• A speaker is NOT included

• Any 8 ohm speaker will work

• Tip: Cell phone speakers work very well!Search eBay for “iphone 4 speaker” less than $5.00

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• Linking receiver & transmitter uses a small magnet so it can be done through the loco’s body

• Full review on my web page:http://www.trainelectronics.com/HO_Train_Engineer/article.htm

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TipTipSalvage Magnets from old Hard DrivesSalvage Magnets from old Hard Drives

• Virtually all computer hard drives have strong (rare earth) magnets in them

• Remove case & carefully remove platters and other parts that are in the way

• Caution: some platters are GLASS! Fragile and easily converted to SHARP pieces!

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Tip – Magnets as ClampsTip – Magnets as Clamps

• I recently had to glue a sign to the middle of a building

• Putting a rare earth magnet on the front and another on the back made it a snap!

• Also great with “square” block behind

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Tip - MPJA Power SupplyTip - MPJA Power Supply

• Excellent tool for testing circuits

• Also works well for testing locomotive and other train related devices

• Dual meters (volts / amps) provide very valuable information

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TipTipdo-it-yourselfdo-it-yourself Power Supply Power Supply

• eBayDC-DC Contant Current Voltage Step-down Power Supply

• 3 amp < $15,

6 amp < $20

• Use your own fixedvoltage power supply

• Great for testingequipment

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3D Printing3D Printing

• Vendors continue to fine tune designs

• Dremel unit is first printer to be sold in large quantities from retail stores by a major tool manufacturer

• available @Home Depot

• ~ $1000.00

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• Last year HP was rumored to be entering consumer market but…

• Their new printer is aimed at commercial clients and will not be ready for some time

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• Design software still requires a commitment of time & effort to learn

• The free “Sketch Up” program is still my favorite

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• www.Shapeways.com continues to do well printing from your designs

• More & more free files are available at www.thingiverse.com and at similar sites

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3D Printing3D Printing• My two 3D printers have become go-to tools for

many things • I use my saws, milling machine & lathe much

less often• Faster printers may be here soon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTJq9Z5g4Jk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZs1fOSR2C8

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VideoVideo

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TipsTips• HF multi tool

• …works better if mounted to a bench• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1TYueXHxgE

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VideoVideo

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Tip – HF Center PunchTip – HF Center Punch

• Accurately start holes when drilling

• Makes rivets, too!

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ArduinoArduino

• What is it?– A family of inexpensive and very capable

microcontrollers

• Developed in Italy in 2005

• Open source hardware and software (free license to use and modify)

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ArduinoArduino Why has it become so popular? Why has it become so popular?

• It is an inexpensive platform that is very well supported

• Hardware costs have dropped as thousands & thousands of hobbyists, world-wide, are using them

• It has become the most popular micro-controller development system in the world

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• Free software to do just about anything you might need is available on the Internet

• On-line support is freely available

• Lots of books

• Tutorials on-line, too

• YouTube

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• Can experiment without soldering!– Use a few jumper wires

• With a solderless prototype board

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• Plug-in “shields” simplify building

• Some have a prototype board on them

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ArduinoArduino What Can It Do? What Can It Do?

• The Arduino can control just about any electronic device or component….

• … & gather and act on things it senses in the environment

• Originally designed for use by students and artists

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ArduinoArduino What Do You Need to Get Started? What Do You Need to Get Started?

• An Arduino board (< $10.00) and a computer (PC, MAC or Linux) with USB

• Software is free

• USB connections are included on many Arduino boards

• Recently purchased several UNO boards for < $5.00 each!

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Arduino Arduino

• The “down” side:– “C” language –can be confusing for beginners– C’s syntax and error messages (ie commands

are case sensitive!) can be illogical– Fortunately…– Books and on-line tutorials are available to

help – many YouTube videos, too

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Arduino Arduino

• But….– Once you see what it can do and how little it

can cost…. – It is worth learning!– I fought it for years but now have begun to

use them more and more

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Arduino Arduino

• And….– Using the Arduino and PICAXE controllers

with model railroading is an excellent way to get younger folks interested in model railroading!

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Arduino - First ProgramArduino - First Program• Download IDE (Integrated Development

Environment) • Free download from

– http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software– For PC, Mac or Linux

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Arduino - First ProgramArduino - First Program

• Select board

• Select serial port

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• Load “blink” from basic examples– File / Examples / 01.Basics / Blink

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• Comments– //– /* */

• Variable definitions

• setup • loop

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• Upload to Arduino & observe• Modify to blink faster, slower, non-symmetrically

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– Add 2nd LED – modify for

crossing signal

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• Load “fade”– Have to change

to analog pin 9– 3, 5, 6, 9, 10,

and 11 can be used foranalog output

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• Modify for ditch lights

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• Modify to remove “bug”while flashing

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• Add a “pot” to vary the speed

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Arduino Projects:Arduino Projects:

• DCC controller

• A complete system can be built with very few parts

• Operated with a TV remote control

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Arduino Projects:Arduino Projects:• DCC

decoder • Used as an

accessory decoder to operate animations & sounds

• From MRH magazine

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• auto-reverse unit – Two shields stack onto the Arduino– Shield 1 houses the power transistor and

relay– Shield 2 has the display and function buttons

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• light controllers (lighthouse, etc)– Hardware is similar to what is used with the

PICAXE– Use an analog pin for gradual changes in

brightness– Can be very small with 8 pin Arduino chip

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• Defect detector /w audio– Uses two lasers to count axles– Computes train length & speed– Reports random defects, temperature, length,

speed– Can transmit reports via radio

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• MP3 module works with or without Arduino– Used in Defect Detector– Very high quality mono or stereo sound– Complex sound presentation with Arduino– Simple (next / previous / file #) sound with just

a few buttons– Uses micro SD card– < $5.00!

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• MP3 player as stand alone player (only need a speaker, battery & switches)– High quality sound from MP3 files– Use with only a speaker or to drive amplified

speakers (from old PC?)

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Arduino Projects:Arduino Projects:• Add an Arduino and each button press

selects either– The next file– A random file

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• LED matrix signs– Highly visible– Uses 3 or more 8x8 LED modules– Arduino libraries & sample programs make

using them quite simple

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It’s more fun to make it yourself than to buy it ready to go!

"I am always doing that which I "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."learn how to do it."Pablo PicassoPablo Picasso

Remember:

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Your Ideas?Your Ideas?

• Questions?

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Servo Extension CablesServo Extension Cables

• Need to connect 3 wire device?

• Available in many lengths up to 1 meter

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Servo Extension CablesServo Extension Cables

• Available on eBay

• For more connectors see my article:

Power Connectors for Garden Railroad Applications

• http://www.trainelectronics.com/Articles/Connectors/index.htm

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Tip – Heat Shrink TubingTip – Heat Shrink Tubing• Excellent for insulating joints & making

repairs• Soldering wires first is recommended but

not mandatory• Available in many colors – great trick for

identifying wires• Available in many diameters, too• Fry’s has an excellent supply, BangGood,

too!

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Tip – Tiny MotorTip – Tiny Motor• Gear head motor a bit larger than a penny

• Surprisingly high torque

• http://www.suntekstore.com item # 14002627

• Less than $6.00 shipped

• Ideal for many animations

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Tip – Dubro CollarsTip – Dubro Collars

• Ideal for connecting to motor shafts & to join piano wire for servos

• http://shop.dubro.com/c/aircraft_collars

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Tip – Tiny Volt MeterTip – Tiny Volt Meter

• Powered from voltage being measured – 4 to 30 volts

• Approx 1” x ½” x ½”

• Search eBay for:“Ultra Mini size LED Volt Meter”

• $6.99 + $2.00 shipping

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Tip – Tiny Volt MeterTip – Tiny Volt Meter

• Makes a nice track voltage tester

• Use a 10 watt / 12 volt bulb as a load

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TipTipRubber Bands to Join TrackRubber Bands to Join Track

• Cut bicycle tubes into loops to join track for club or other temporary layouts

• Road bike tubes work best

• Paper cutter is a plus

Free from most bike shops!

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It’s more fun to make it yourself than to buy it ready to go!

"I am always doing that which I "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."learn how to do it."Pablo PicassoPablo Picasso

Remember:

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Your Ideas?Your Ideas?

• Questions?

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PICAXEPIC 1 2015 East Coast Large Scale Train Show Dave Bodnar March 27, 2015 York, PA Electronics,...

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