I’m looking for simple programable logic controllers, for lack of a better word. What I want to do is build an operating cutaway of a coal colliery or breaker plus a mine. I want to be able to program a mine lokie to travel to point b stop, then c etc. also have the hoist elevator go up and down, drop coal from chutes etc. I’m willing to look outside the MRR community for this. I thought I heard that the Lego folks have such a thing, or some other simple PLC or robotics basic kit. Any Ideas ?
Thanks, Dave
This is an ideal task for a BASIC Stamp. The base microcontroller in one would be cheaper to work with directly, but then you need to program in C or assembler. The BASIC Stamp programs in BASIC. There are a few different models but most of them will have several inputers and outputs. You will need a simple external circuit to drive a motor, the inputs could be reed switches triggered as the elevator runs past. A little conditional coding and it won’t stop at every level every time. Or use the random number generator to decide if it stops at a particular level or not.
As for the mine lokie, there are cicuits that handle that available from a few sources.
Or you could do the whole thing with a DCC decoder. The lokie would be easy, a few block detectors and a decoder in the lokie and you’re all set. Any of the control programs will work - RR&Co, even with JMRI you can script the behavior you want. The elevato would be a bit tougher, but with the appropriate I/O board you could set up the sensors int he mine shaft and runt he whole thing the same way, pretend the shaft is a track and the sensors are block detectors, runt he motor until a sensor gets tripped, stop for a pause, start again, etc.
–Randy
You are looking to run a trolley with various stops and to activate motors, relays or solenoids to perform actions, correct?
Investigate the CTI solution. They have the software and hardware to do this type of thing. Examine their Beginner’s kit which should do all you want.
This is a turn key system that could do the kinds of things you are wanting to do without giving or adding to existing brain damage! [:)]
Good luck
http://www.cti-electronics.com/starter.htm