Recent content by Big Don

Can anyone point me to a site that has a circuit for automatically controlling a reverse loop(s)? I know that you can buy this from some manufacturer out there (Circuitron?), but I recall that it retails for around $50 CDN +/- which is too rich for my blood right now. Thanks

I just finished building a trestle for my small N scale layout. I also used a dark walnut stain, but diluted it 2:1 with turpentine because I was also finding that the full strength stain was far too dark. Another trick --- minimise the amount of stain in your brush (even if that means wiping...

Thanks Gentlemen --- there is a recessed dot at one corner. I'm off to the races. Big Don

Thanks Vic --- exactly what I was looking for. Big Don

Shamus: Can you suggest a train detection circuit that I could build? I would like this to trigger my Model Power X-bucks automatically rather than having to activate them manually using a control panel switch. Thanks Big Don

Paul: You were right --- I picked up a 555 Timer IC at the local Radio Shack yesterday. If you've used these before, perhaps you can answer one question for me. On the back of the package, there is a circuit diagram showing the 'guts' of the timer and indicating what each of the 8...

Thanks Shamus --- BTW, the code for a 300K resistor chip is correct. Where did you buy the timer chip in the UK? The other components should be readily available at radio shack.

Shamus: Thanks for welcoming me to this site --- I am finding it extremely useful so far. Are you sure the circuit you attached isn't for a WMD? :D Now I REALLY wish I had paid attention in that Electric Circuits course I took in university (and barely passed!). OK --- here are my...

Last week I a bought a pair of crossing signals made by Model Power and there were no instructions in the box. I have two questions: (1) What power source is required to power the signals? (2) Is there a detector I can buy/make to trigger these signal lights automatically rather than...