Anthony, Depending on the inputs and outputs required along with different size touchscreens and the complexity of the job, it is impossible to quote product models or pricing. Their processors start at 900.00. iPads for touchscreens are anywhere from 399.00-699.00. Proprietary touchscreens are more, although touchscreens will only have the graphics needed to run the program instead of multiple apps like a tablet. You can contact me offline if you choose Lsantello@media-designers.com www.media-designers.com
Sounds great and is the way to go. I will be visiting the Crestron website to learn more. Just one question at this time; How do you protect against the guy who runs a DC train into a DCC section? Thanks.
Hugh, There are signal heads on the cab select pages on the touchscreens within each block boundary. The signal head denotes 2 conditions in order for the signal to be green. #1 condition is the mainline switches are set for straight-line running for that block boundary. Secondly, the signal will NOT be green unless the block you are in and the block you are going into are set for the same cab selects. Although this is bi-directtional, the cabs just have to match. Other than that, you are on your own if you decide to ignore the signal and DCC is selected on the next block. There is a signal head on the touchscreen per track (mainline 1 and mainline 2), per block boundary touchscreen. Hope this helps.
What Crestron centrol unit, processor, product would you suggest for a medium size home HO layout? Also, what is the cost on such a unit? What is the cost of the touch screens, and who does the programming?
What are the model numbers of Crestron equipment you would suggest for medium size HO home layout with say 10 touch screens, and costs?
Steve, contact me offlist lsantello@media-designers.com The processor alone will talk to many manufactures equipment for triggering outputs and receiving inputs. Do you already have communication output boards like Bruce Chubb cards or anything like this yet? Crestron RMC-3 processors are 900.00 and will easily handle what you’re looking for.
As far as touchscreens, cost is not so cut and dry. Each proprietary touchscreen requires a POE for power or cresnet using proprietary 24 volt power supplys. Depending on the size of the touchscreens, the larger panels require more power, which means a typical 75 watt power supply will power less panels than if they were small panels. Again, iPads are a cost effective choice, although to drive 10 iPads, I would suggest the CP-3 processor (1800.00)
I do similar stuff using a combination of Digitrax equipment, and devices and software from CTI Electronics- if you have some old laptops/pc’s about, and a wee bit of skill, you can do quite a bit on a far better budget than with the Crestron… Crestron is like the loaded Lincoln Town Car, vs. the loaded Crown Victoria… anyway, it’s all neat stuff-- good job there!
Joseph; Although CTI will work, #1 a pc bouts is still required. #2 if you did the math on the least expensive CTI output card, the Nscale layout would’ve needed 2700.00 in output cards and a location for 30 boards. This does not even include any inputs needed for block detection. The chubb cards would only be 1000.00 for the same outputs and they include 240 inputs for block detection withinin that price. For the difference in price, you already bought the loaded Lincoln Crestron processor
Also, on the CTI system, there is no good way other than toggle switches to drive inputs of the pc to control localized routing and tortoise motors on the layout, which is 90% of the way the layout is used. There is no great alternative for decent graphic user interfaces.