Control panel I built
#1
Hi all, I've made a control panel for my layout.
I used 10 mm thick MDF.
It's 18" x 6.5" in size, which was the minimum I wanted.
[Image: ntEbCykl.jpg]
I drew the plan and then drilled all the holes for the LEDs and push buttons.

[Image: x8RsCf8l.jpg]
I counter drilled the holes from the backside to make it possible to add the LED and the nuts for the push buttons.

[Image: uETYwYyl.jpg]
I primed it with cellulose first and then black Badger Stynylrez primer.

[Image: aUh7dDil.jpg]
I then airbrush painted white where the track lines were going to be.

[Image: Nrg19NWl.jpg]
I masked the lines with 1/16" automotive masking tape. I painted over the tape with white to minimize the risk of bleeding.

[Image: JBo3HzBl.jpg]
The panel was then painted with dark green acrylic paint. Around the tracks I shaded with black.

[Image: N8ngO00l.jpg]
This is how it looked when I removed the masking tape.

[Image: h6lJHyll.jpg]
I added texts with Microscale decals.

[Image: mprImb4l.jpg]
The panel is clearcoated with Alclad matte.

Now it's the fun part; installing all the electrical bits.
[Image: cBnbhhml.jpg]
I use the panel control system from MGP Here in Sweden, a very competent system with its own programming app and uses Loconet for communication.
Reply
#2
Good job, looks great, and yeah, the fun part is indeed doing the wiring....
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
Reply
#3
Worship Applause 2285_
Mike

Sent from my pocket calculator using two tin cans and a string
Reply
#4
Compared to my old layout that had manual switches with pushrods and polarity micro switches etc. This is so much easier.

http://i.imgur.com/4XFtfmN.gifv
And the cost?

15 turnout control including servos and hardware (push buttons, LEDs, Computer/phone interphase, Panel decoder, servo decoders and LED control) was about $260.

That's $17 per turnout!

The big advantage is that this system is so very competent, it can have routes, signal control, reverse loop control and a myriad of other functions.

And, it can do it either as a standalone system (using its own Loconet bus) or connected to the DCC system or computer!
Reply
#5
Made some more on the control panel.

[Image: ARr1Ysxl.jpg]
The panel has all the circuit boards installed and tested.
From left to right it is; Loconet power termination, Panel decoder and three LED control boards.

[Image: vmMjhkZl.jpg] 
I also installed a connector for the throttles.
Just need to trim the edges.
Now I can install the panel on the layout and install all the servos.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)