Free-moNebraska

[MK]

That's some plan!   

[C855B]

As I'm seeing it, 70 [amps] of n scale power. ...

Yup. No problem with trucks melting if something derails - it's instantly vaporized!   

[peteski]

Now its starting to look like an overpass!   


https://i.imgur.com/wnqWWcp.jpg

Ok, those illuminated grade crossing gates got my attention.  They look like NJ International brass item with added linkage for animation and LEDs on the gates.  That is so very cool!  I wanted to do that since I bought those gates back in the early '90s, long before SMD LEDs were available.  I even tried making my own tiny LEDs, but never followed through (those were still too large).

Any possibility that you could do a thread (with some closeup shots) on how you illuminated and animated those gates.  They look awesome!

[Mark W]

Any possibility that you could do a thread (with some closeup shots) on how you illuminated and animated those gates.  They look awesome!

Sure!  Actually, I could probably explain it in a single gif... 


https://i.imgur.com/Ik7Cprd.gif

[Jbub]

Lol, I was wondering if that was shopped.

[peteski]

Sure!  Actually, I could probably explain it in a single gif... 

FUNNY GUY!

I was hoping for some technical construction details (not just a demonstration of the excellent lighting effects).  What size LEDs did you use, how did you attache and wire them, how did you route the gate wires down under the layout, etc.

Or is this  just Photoshopped?  With your micro modeling abilities I would have no doubt that these were actual working ligths.

[C855B]

Yeah, Pete, we've been punked.

I have a strip of 0402 red LEDs that are waiting for the inspiration to do just this. I know it's possible: https://www.ngineering.com/early_alt-flasher_video.htm

[Mark W]

Or is this  just Photoshopped?  With your micro modeling abilities I would have no doubt that these were actual working ligths.

Thanks!  But yes, this one is definitely 'shopped.   

Like Mike, I too have a bunch of red 0402's on hand, waiting for inspiration.  Or should I say, just a free spot in the ever growing project queue...   

BTW Mike, I just received a small batch of 0604s for signal head testing! 

[peteski]

Thanks!  But yes, this one is definitely 'shopped.   

Like Mike, I too have a bunch of red 0402's on hand, waiting for inspiration.  Or should I say, just a free spot in the ever growing project queue...   

Well done - you fooled me (again, becuase I know your abilities and this seemed like something you were quite capable of doing). 

OK then, welcome to the "waiting for inspiration" club guys.  I've been there for at least 25 years!
Actually I was recently thinking of using the 0201 LEDs    But lots of other projects are piling up.
Back when I got the idea (and SMDs weren't available) I tried making my own tiny LED from a red 7-segment LED clock display.  It was based on a PC board with individual red LED chips bonded to  it.  I thinned the PC board and trimmed it close to the LED chip, then soldered couple of magnet wire leads to the traces. Then I placed a dot of epoxy over it to seal the LED chip and the bond wire.  But those were still a bit large and awkward to work with.  I mothballed the project.  I'll get to it someday . . .

BTW, are those operating gates?  If yes, what do you use to move them?

[RBrodzinsky]

For the gate arms, I would think 0201s are the largest one could go in N-scale.  Granted, 0402 are about 64mm x 32 mm (~2.5" x 1.25") scale size is approx the correct size, but when I tried putting one on an arm (just for kicks), it looked huge.

[Lemosteam]

Sure!  Actually, I could probably explain it in a single gif... 


https://i.imgur.com/Ik7Cprd.gif

Aaaaahahahahahaha, oooohhhohohoho, sniffle, ahahahahahaha, ho, hoho, ha, ha, snicker....

[Mark W]

Uh oh. Look's like the fumes are getting to @Lemosteam 

For the gate arms, I would think 0201s are the largest one could go in N-scale. Granted, 0402 are about 64mm x 32 mm (~2.5" x 1.25") scale size is approx the correct size, but when I tried putting one on an arm (just for kicks), it looked huge.

I must confess, I didn't know 0201s existed until just now.

I'm imagining a replacement crossing arm PBC with the SMD LEDs pre mounted. Instead of leads to each LED, the PBC itself would cary power from the counterweight end to each LED.


@peteski , no these are just static right now. I am planning on designing and 3D printing a mechanism though. Another project just waiting for its turn in the queue... 

[C855B]

... I'm imagining a replacement crossing arm PBC with the SMD LEDs pre mounted. Instead of leads to each LED, the PBC itself would cary power from the counterweight end to each LED. ...

I had been considering for quite a while what it would take to do this. Certainly more in design and manufacturing tolerances than can be done on the kitchen table, or would be cost-effective for a commercial PCB house. That's the problem I ran into spec'ing the 3-color signal "insert". (I'm making progress on a process for the signal. More in that thread as something meaningful develops.)

Anyway, the thought for the gate is 0.010"/0.25mm 2-sided PCB material, traces for the individual lights one side, common on the other, sliced into 0.030" or 0.040" strips, 0201 LEDs soldered across the "side" of the slice. Pads for the LEDs would be broad enough to accommodate a small range of gate lengths. Side-mounted would be beyond the scope of commercial PCB producers.

[Lemosteam]

Uh oh. Look's like the fumes are getting to @Lemosteam 

I must confess, I didn't know 0201s existed until just now.

I'm imagining a replacement crossing arm PBC with the SMD LEDs pre mounted. Instead of leads to each LED, the PBC itself would cary power from the counterweight end to each LED.


@peteski , no these are just static right now. I am planning on designing and 3D printing a mechanism though. Another project just waiting for its turn in the queue...

Was laughing that you fooled @peteski so good.   

[peteski]

Was laughing that you fooled @peteski so good.   

I'm not surprised at all - Mark is a damn good modeler, and not bad at Photoshopping too.  Maybe, in my mind,  I gave Mark more credit than he deserves (about his micro-modeling abilities).