Welcome to the forum   
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Share
Options
View
Go to last post in this topic Go to first unread post in this topic
Offline Markus Schild  
#1 Posted : 15 March 2017 23:59:29(UTC)
Markus Schild

Germany   
Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
Posts: 1,802
Location: Wurttemberg
Hi all,

First off, I'd like to mention that this not a completed project. It should be understood as a proof of concept. The reproduction requires at least some basic knowledge of how a RASPBERRY PI works and how to install and operate RASPBIAN JESSIE. A complete guide to this would go beyond the scope of a MÄRKLIN - forum, but there are many instructions on the net for every grade of previous knowledge.
The pattern is also only just stuck together and fixed with some mounting adhesive tape.
UserPostedImage

UserPostedImage

The project has, however, one advantage: it is cheap. A camera ride, live broadcast over Wi-Fi is hardly to get cheaper.

Introduced some weeks ago, there is a new model named RASPBERRY PI ZERO W (the "W" is important) available. The RASPBERRY PI ZERO is the little brother of RASPBERRY PI. It works with the same operating system as the normal RASPBERRY PI, but has a somewhat weaker processor and fewer connections. It costs only 11, - EUR. New on the “W”- model is, that it has BLUETOOTH and WIFI on board. The RASPBERRY PI ZERO is significantly smaller than the classic RASPBERRY PI. It is so small that it fits on a H0 car. If you cut about one millimeter on the side of the GPIOs (the two rows with the 40 contacts), it also fits into some H0 cars.
UserPostedImage
The original power supply is via a micro-USB plug from the side of the board, which would make it too wide for the operation on a H0-railway. But you can also supply the RASPBERRY via the 5V GPIO pins. To avoid confusion, I have soldered a male and a female pin into the relevant pins and a USB cable with appropriate plugs. The electric supply comes from a small power-bank.
The power consumption of a RASPBERRY PI ZERO with camera is also below 250 mA during a video transmission with WLAN. With a 2000mAh - Powerbank it runs several hours.
Since years, a camera which is connected directly to the RASPBERRY board is available. This camera can also be connected to the PI-ZERO W with a special cable. The camera used here is a older 5MP camera. There are currently also 8MP cameras available. Also, this camera is small enough for H0 - tracks. An expensive camera will certainly yield better images than a cheap one.

You need:

  • RASPBERRY PI ZERO W (the "W" is important) ~ 11 EUR
  • A camera for the RASPBERRY PI from 10, - EUR, original cameras from the RASPBERRY FOUNDATION cost about 30, - EUR.
  • An adapter cable for the camera for operation on the PI ZERO: ~ 3, - EUR (the normal cable from the RAPSBERRY PI does not fit).
  • A micro SDHC card for the system. ~ 10, - EUR. (At least 16GB, in the class of Samsung Evo or SanDisk Extreme or better)
  • A small power bank. From 5, - EUR. [/ List]

    In sum, you can go well under 50, - EUR.

    The software RPi Cam Control v6.3.1 is used to operate the camera and display the live images. A comprehensive guide to the installation is available here: http://elinux.org/RPi-Cam-Web-Interface. The software itself is available here: https://github.com/silvanmelchior/RPi_Cam_Web_Interface. Do not be deterred by the length of the article. The camera works when you reach "Step 5".

    The installation script installs a web server (I took APACHE) on the RASPBERRY and the software that streams the video into the net. You can call the live camera image with each browser in your own WLAN under the IP address of the Raspberry. Also from the smartphone. Additional you can record single images and video sequences, also parallel to the video stream.

    The screen looks like this:
    UserPostedImage

    And this is a reduced snapshot of the picture recording function:
    UserPostedImage
    Original full size picture: https://dl.dropbox.com/s...0003_20170315_142653.jpg
    And here is a video clip. The youtube version is reduced in size and quality. The live broadcast does not have the same quality, but it mostly smooth with only small delays depending on the Wi-Fi – coverage.

    Direct link to the original full size recording: http://www.zweikommazwei.de/raspi-video.mp4
    As I mentioned before, this is not a finished project. With a relatively low programming and design effort, you could also add a lighting switchable via the web surface, or you can switch the RASPBERRY on and off via a function decoder.
    Theoretically, one could certainly teach the RASPBERRY itself to be the decoder. But that raises the question of effort and effect. But that would be a sporty project either.

    Regards

    Markus

    Edited by moderator 24 August 2017 04:05:48(UTC)  | Reason: Fixed links - the automatic link service was adding a '.' at the end of the link.

  • thanks 13 users liked this useful post by Markus Schild
    Offline xxup  
    #2 Posted : 16 March 2017 01:35:37(UTC)
    xxup

    Australia   
    Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
    Posts: 9,458
    Location: Australia
    Great project, but those Pi Zeroes are as rare as Hen's teeth down here, and the WiFi ones have not even been seen down here yet.. When you do find a non-Wifi one they cost upwards of A$50 - almost as much as a Pi3..

    Here's an eBay advertisement from a guy who wants A$70 for the WiFi version..

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Raspberry-Pi-Zero-W-NEW-MODEL-WITH-WIFI-BLUETOOTH-AU-EXPRESS-SHIPPING-/322444452197?hash=item4b132fe165:g:B8MAAOSw4CFYvjBx

    The problem is that Element 13 refuses to stock them down here or bring them in from their International warehouses.. So this black market seems to have arisen as a result..
    Adrian
    UserPostedImage
    Australia flag by abFlags.com
    Offline Markus Schild  
    #3 Posted : 16 March 2017 09:56:36(UTC)
    Markus Schild

    Germany   
    Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 1,802
    Location: Wurttemberg
    Hi Adrian,

    It is available here: https://www.kiwi-electro...zero/raspberry-pi-zero-w I got mine from there.

    I tried to place an order as an Australian: It worked: Total incl. shipping was € 12,59 excl. VAT (shipping in a letter w/o tracking).

    Regards

    Markus
    thanks 3 users liked this useful post by Markus Schild
    Offline Rwill  
    #4 Posted : 16 March 2017 12:32:18(UTC)
    Rwill

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 04/05/2015(UTC)
    Posts: 777
    Location: England, London
    Originally Posted by: Markus Schild Go to Quoted Post
    Hi Adrian,

    It is available here: https://www.kiwi-electro...zero/raspberry-pi-zero-w I got mine from there.

    I tried to place an order as an Australian: It worked: Total incl. shipping was € 12,59 excl. VAT (shipping in a letter w/o tracking).

    Regards

    Markus


    Am I allowed a small ironic smile at the name of the supplier?

    Offline xxup  
    #5 Posted : 16 March 2017 12:36:14(UTC)
    xxup

    Australia   
    Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
    Posts: 9,458
    Location: Australia
    Awesome.. Thanks Marcus.

    I have one on its way to me.. Unfortunately, they only let me buy one - I was keen to buy 4, but one is better than none..

    Now I can try out this project - in a couple of weeks when it gets here..
    Adrian
    UserPostedImage
    Australia flag by abFlags.com
    Offline xxup  
    #6 Posted : 16 March 2017 12:37:40(UTC)
    xxup

    Australia   
    Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
    Posts: 9,458
    Location: Australia
    Originally Posted by: Rwill Go to Quoted Post
    Originally Posted by: Markus Schild Go to Quoted Post
    Hi Adrian,

    It is available here: https://www.kiwi-electro...zero/raspberry-pi-zero-w I got mine from there.

    I tried to place an order as an Australian: It worked: Total incl. shipping was € 12,59 excl. VAT (shipping in a letter w/o tracking).

    Regards

    Markus


    Am I allowed a small ironic smile at the name of the supplier?



    Like nut grass - they are everywhere.. LOL
    Adrian
    UserPostedImage
    Australia flag by abFlags.com
    Offline kiwiAlan  
    #7 Posted : 16 March 2017 15:13:20(UTC)
    kiwiAlan

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
    Posts: 8,082
    Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
    Originally Posted by: xxup Go to Quoted Post
    Great project, but those Pi Zeroes are as rare as Hen's teeth down here, and the WiFi ones have not even been seen down here yet.. When you do find a non-Wifi one they cost upwards of A$50 - almost as much as a Pi3..

    Here's an eBay advertisement from a guy who wants A$70 for the WiFi version..

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Raspberry-Pi-Zero-W-NEW-MODEL-WITH-WIFI-BLUETOOTH-AU-EXPRESS-SHIPPING-/322444452197?hash=item4b132fe165:g:B8MAAOSw4CFYvjBx

    The problem is that Element 13 refuses to stock them down here or bring them in from their International warehouses.. So this black market seems to have arisen as a result..


    I can't find the Pi Zero on either RS or farnell here in the UK either, so they may not stock it at all.

    The Kiwi-Electronics site that the link was posted for also has a combination kit with the 8MP camera and special cable, although the camera price looks high at a little over Euro 30, considering farnell stock it for £25 one off and £22 three+ in the UK.

    Offline Minok  
    #8 Posted : 16 March 2017 20:32:21(UTC)
    Minok

    United States   
    Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 2,310
    Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
    The gold is to have a camera that can pivot into the curve like adaptive headlights so that roller-coster-head-snapping-cornering can be lessened.
    Toys of tin and wood rule!
    ---
    My Layout Thread on marklin-users.net: InterCity 1-3-4
    My YouTube Channel:
    https://youtube.com/@intercity134
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Minok
    Offline kiwiAlan  
    #9 Posted : 16 March 2017 22:54:14(UTC)
    kiwiAlan

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
    Posts: 8,082
    Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
    Originally Posted by: Minok Go to Quoted Post
    The gold is to have a camera that can pivot into the curve like adaptive headlights so that roller-coster-head-snapping-cornering can be lessened.


    Yes, that has been my thought too, after watching many videos of model carried cameras.

    Offline Markus Schild  
    #10 Posted : 16 March 2017 23:06:20(UTC)
    Markus Schild

    Germany   
    Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 1,802
    Location: Wurttemberg
    Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan Go to Quoted Post
    Originally Posted by: Minok Go to Quoted Post
    The gold is to have a camera that can pivot into the curve like adaptive headlights so that roller-coster-head-snapping-cornering can be lessened.


    Yes, that has been my thought too, after watching many videos of model carried cameras.



    Hi all,

    Interesting idea. It would not be to difficult to measure the angle of the leading boogie and move the camera with a servo. I will think about that.

    Regards

    Markus
    Offline cookee_nz  
    #11 Posted : 17 March 2017 09:48:30(UTC)
    cookee_nz

    New Zealand   
    Joined: 31/12/2010(UTC)
    Posts: 3,949
    Location: Paremata, Wellington
    Originally Posted by: Markus Schild Go to Quoted Post
    Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan Go to Quoted Post
    Originally Posted by: Minok Go to Quoted Post
    The gold is to have a camera that can pivot into the curve like adaptive headlights so that roller-coster-head-snapping-cornering can be lessened.


    Yes, that has been my thought too, after watching many videos of model carried cameras.



    Hi all,

    Interesting idea. It would not be to difficult to measure the angle of the leading boogie and move the camera with a servo. I will think about that.

    Regards

    Markus


    Or find a way to bring an attachment up from the bogie to mount the camera onto so that it turns with the truck?

    Cookee
    Wellington
    NZ image
    Offline Markus Schild  
    #12 Posted : 17 March 2017 10:03:38(UTC)
    Markus Schild

    Germany   
    Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 1,802
    Location: Wurttemberg
    Originally Posted by: cookee_nz Go to Quoted Post


    Or find a way to bring an attachment up from the bogie to mount the camera onto so that it turns with the truck?



    Hi Cookee,

    I don't think that this does solve the problem. A camera which traces the rail exactly only will deliver a tagential view. But what we want is to look "inside" the curve. This picture shows what we would get (red) and what would be optimal (green):

    UserPostedImage

    Regards

    Markus
    Offline Minok  
    #13 Posted : 17 March 2017 17:30:55(UTC)
    Minok

    United States   
    Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 2,310
    Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
    Adaptive headlights use the steering wheel angle and possibly the vehicle speed to adjust the aim, but locos don't have that sort of guidance. One possibility is an accelerometer to detect yaw but for short curves which are quite common, you would still be reacting after the fact. Having an accelerator in a car ahead of the camera combined with a wider field of view on the lense may work.
    Toys of tin and wood rule!
    ---
    My Layout Thread on marklin-users.net: InterCity 1-3-4
    My YouTube Channel:
    https://youtube.com/@intercity134
    Offline Markus Schild  
    #14 Posted : 17 March 2017 18:04:47(UTC)
    Markus Schild

    Germany   
    Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 1,802
    Location: Wurttemberg
    Hi,

    I first thought that it could be a good idea to mount a boogie to a potentiometer. But the mechanical force to turn a potentiometer is to high. My second idea is to fit a small magnet at the coupler of the boogie and two hall - sensors above the magnet at the car to determine the direction. The Hall - sensors deliver a variable value which can be used to calculate an angle. Still testing.

    Regards

    Markus
    thanks 2 users liked this useful post by Markus Schild
    Offline Minok  
    #15 Posted : 17 March 2017 21:58:47(UTC)
    Minok

    United States   
    Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 2,310
    Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
    That does sound promising. You obviously cannot look into the curve until something has begun to turn, at which point you want to swing past the tangential view and cut the curve a bit (overshoot a bit) and likewise when things straighten out you need a slight lag before correcting back to straight ideally (dampening overshoot when entering straights). Of course all of this would make s-curves a nightmare, but we cannot worry about those cases.. though a trip through a rail yard into a station would be an adventure. Dampening the effect by speed (so very slow speed doesn't result in as much movement) might be a desired effect.
    Toys of tin and wood rule!
    ---
    My Layout Thread on marklin-users.net: InterCity 1-3-4
    My YouTube Channel:
    https://youtube.com/@intercity134
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Minok
    Offline DaleSchultz  
    #16 Posted : 17 March 2017 22:08:32(UTC)
    DaleSchultz

    United States   
    Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 3,997
    just don't use sharp curves. Looks awful from above and they look awful from the cab. No amount of clever feedback and predictive gadgetry will fix the video.
    Dale
    Intellibox + own software, K-Track
    My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
    Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
    Offline Minok  
    #17 Posted : 17 March 2017 22:27:36(UTC)
    Minok

    United States   
    Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 2,310
    Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
    Markus,

    Can you go into a bit more detail on the camera your using, and its differences to the Pi Foundation camera?
    Quote:

    • A camera for the RASPBERRY PI from 10, - EUR, original cameras from the RASPBERRY FOUNDATION cost about 30, - EUR.
    • An adapter cable for the camera for operation on the PI ZERO: ~ 3, - EUR (the normal cable from the RAPSBERRY PI does not fit).


    The Pi Foundation cameras can be had, as you say, for around $30 (from adafruit), and comes with a cable that plugs into the Pi Zero W, as seen in the following Adafruit site image:

    UserPostedImage

    Which camera did you use and which cable?

    Why? Is it the size of the Pi camera or its cost or some other technical aspect that motivated the selection of an alternate camera?
    Toys of tin and wood rule!
    ---
    My Layout Thread on marklin-users.net: InterCity 1-3-4
    My YouTube Channel:
    https://youtube.com/@intercity134
    Offline Markus Schild  
    #18 Posted : 17 March 2017 23:09:06(UTC)
    Markus Schild

    Germany   
    Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 1,802
    Location: Wurttemberg
    Hi Minok,

    I use a camera sold by the RASPBERRY FOUNDATION about three years ago. It is named "ver 1.3" and was a 5MP model, now they sell "V 2.1" which is 8MP. I think a more modern camera will even get better pictures.

    The picture shows the normal cable for the regular PI - models on the left and the special cable for the PI ZERO (side inserting into the ZERO) on the right:

    UserPostedImage

    I bought the cable at the kiwi- shop in the Netherlands linked above.
    The cable shown above with the camera does not fit into the slot of the ZERO.

    Regards

    Markus
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Markus Schild
    Offline Minok  
    #19 Posted : 18 March 2017 00:52:44(UTC)
    Minok

    United States   
    Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 2,310
    Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
    Originally Posted by: Markus Schild Go to Quoted Post
    Hi Minok,

    I use a camera sold by the RASPBERRY FOUNDATION about three years ago. It is named "ver 1.3" and was a 5MP model, now they sell "V 2.1" which is 8MP. I think a more modern camera will even get better pictures.

    The picture shows the normal cable for the regular PI - models on the left and the special cable for the PI ZERO (side inserting into the ZERO) on the right:

    UserPostedImage

    I bought the cable at the kiwi- shop in the Netherlands linked above.
    The cable shown above with the camera does not fit into the slot of the ZERO.

    Regards

    Markus


    Ah, ok. They now (Adafruit, for example) sell kits that have the camera The new 8mp version) and cable to the Pi Zero W: https://www.adafruit.com/products/3414, that have a very short cable.

    Or, as we don't need the case, one can just buy the longer cable for $US 6 ( https://www.adafruit.com/products/3157) (or add the longer cable to ones order)..
    UserPostedImage


    I'm looking at the LSM303D accelerometer on the Pimoroni Enviro pHAT for Raspberry Pi Zero as an option for getting yaw data in turns.
    Toys of tin and wood rule!
    ---
    My Layout Thread on marklin-users.net: InterCity 1-3-4
    My YouTube Channel:
    https://youtube.com/@intercity134
    thanks 2 users liked this useful post by Minok
    Offline xxup  
    #20 Posted : 27 March 2017 05:42:43(UTC)
    xxup

    Australia   
    Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
    Posts: 9,458
    Location: Australia
    I can play now that my PI Zero W has arrived down under..

    UserPostedImage

    I managed to get the camera cable locally..
    Adrian
    UserPostedImage
    Australia flag by abFlags.com
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by xxup
    Offline hvc  
    #21 Posted : 24 August 2017 03:25:50(UTC)
    hvc

    Australia   
    Joined: 03/06/2013(UTC)
    Posts: 411
    Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia
    Hi All,

    I'm thinking about giving this a go for a display project, but it would need to run independently for long periods of time, so battery power supply wouldn't be an option.

    How hard would it be to get the necessary 5V source from track power via a slider? I know very little about electronics, but I guess this would require a capacitor as well the necessary voltage step down and rectification to DC. I assume that it would be too much power to draw from one of the AUX supplies on a decoder?

    (Please excuse if this is a really dumb question Blushing )

    - H.
    - Herman
    Offline xxup  
    #22 Posted : 24 August 2017 03:53:45(UTC)
    xxup

    Australia   
    Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
    Posts: 9,458
    Location: Australia
    You could do this, but track power is not typically very clean due to problems like dirty tracks and wheels. Of course, you can improve things by complicating the design of the transformer to include capacitors or rechargeable batteries to provide the power when then voltage drops.

    Depending on their size, these battery packs last for hours. How much recording time do to really want out of this great solution? Buy two battery packs and swap them out once per day.
    Adrian
    UserPostedImage
    Australia flag by abFlags.com
    Offline hvc  
    #23 Posted : 24 August 2017 03:58:36(UTC)
    hvc

    Australia   
    Joined: 03/06/2013(UTC)
    Posts: 411
    Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia
    Originally Posted by: xxup Go to Quoted Post
    You could do this, but track power is not typically very clean due to problems like dirty tracks and wheels. Of course, you can improve things by complicating the design of the transformer to include capacitors or rechargeable batteries to provide the power when then voltage drops.

    Depending on their size, these battery packs last for hours. How much recording time do to really want out of this great solution? Buy two battery packs and swap them out once per day.


    It'll need to run by remote control for a week at a time.

    - Herman
    Offline xxup  
    #24 Posted : 24 August 2017 04:09:31(UTC)
    xxup

    Australia   
    Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
    Posts: 9,458
    Location: Australia
    I was just thinking that it would be a noble project for an Electronics Engineer on this forum to come up with a design for a reliable and compact Track supply to 5V project.. Smile
    Adrian
    UserPostedImage
    Australia flag by abFlags.com
    Offline Minok  
    #25 Posted : 24 August 2017 04:15:18(UTC)
    Minok

    United States   
    Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 2,310
    Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
    If what you need is 5vdc then take the track power and pass it through a small rectifier and capacitor to a 5vdc converts that will convert the track power down and get you consistent power over a range of input voltages glu might get from the track.

    The rectifier and 5v regulator are both Integrated Circuts go can buy off the peg and as well as the capacitors. Cobbling together a small supply that lives off of the track power would be easy enough, assuming the system draws a low enough currents to not exceed the booster of track power's capacity.

    I expect they are lots of sample circuit designs online for such a very common thing.

    UserPostedImage

    You might need to change the part used to match the input voltage range you get from track power, i.e. The
    Min and max voltages you get from the track.
    Toys of tin and wood rule!
    ---
    My Layout Thread on marklin-users.net: InterCity 1-3-4
    My YouTube Channel:
    https://youtube.com/@intercity134
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Minok
    Offline Markus Schild  
    #26 Posted : 24 August 2017 11:50:33(UTC)
    Markus Schild

    Germany   
    Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC)
    Posts: 1,802
    Location: Wurttemberg
    Hi Herman,

    Look at eBay for small, ready made step-down boards for 5v. They are very cheap. You can connect them with a rectifier to the slider. So you can charge the battery while running the train. I wouldn't try to run it without a battery. The raspi needs a very stable power supply.

    Regards

    Markus
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Markus Schild
    Offline ixldoc  
    #27 Posted : 24 August 2017 13:03:45(UTC)
    ixldoc

    Australia   
    Joined: 18/11/2015(UTC)
    Posts: 220
    Location: Brisbane,Australia
    Another option is to add a supercap ( 1Farad 5.2 volts) to the output of the 5 volt rectifier. I have done this and it is very effective.
    Note the 7805 is linear and could get a bit warm depending on the voltage applied and the current draw.
    I prefer small switch mode regulators now as they are thumb nail size and will handle 800 mA to an amp.
    Slightly larger ones will handle 2 amps.
    Howard.
    thanks 4 users liked this useful post by ixldoc
    Offline Michael4  
    #28 Posted : 25 August 2017 12:32:11(UTC)
    Michael4

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
    Posts: 637
    Location: England, South Coast
    Originally Posted by: Markus Schild Go to Quoted Post
    Originally Posted by: cookee_nz Go to Quoted Post


    Or find a way to bring an attachment up from the bogie to mount the camera onto so that it turns with the truck?



    Hi Cookee,

    I don't think that this does solve the problem. A camera which traces the rail exactly only will deliver a tagential view. But what we want is to look "inside" the curve. This picture shows what we would get (red) and what would be optimal (green):

    UserPostedImage

    Regards

    Markus


    As one who owned a Citroen DS for many years I'd suggest a quick look at how its swivelling lights worked. It was a system of wires and springs that when understood was extraordinarily obvious. OK so it didn't pre empt what the driver was about to do but at times it seemed so.
    thanks 3 users liked this useful post by Michael4
    Offline Michael4  
    #29 Posted : 03 September 2017 16:46:48(UTC)
    Michael4

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
    Posts: 637
    Location: England, South Coast
    Progress here, our son has made the beginnings of one of these for me and it works. I won't post any results yet, at the moment trailing cables get tangled with catenary. He has yet to write some simple short cuts for my Mac so I know what I am doing.

    As to the issues with the view on corners it seems to me that the camera should be mounted on the forward bogie (or truck) of the wagon so that it turns with the first wheels, that may mean that it will turn sooner and reduce the vertiginous effect of being dragged round a corner.

    I was going to put the whole thing in a battered old tin coach but on reflection this might not be a good idea...

    We'll see, it is quite a lot of fun!
    Offline dickinsonj  
    #30 Posted : 04 September 2017 02:55:07(UTC)
    dickinsonj

    United States   
    Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC)
    Posts: 1,676
    Location: Crozet, Virginia
    Originally Posted by: Michael4 Go to Quoted Post
    As to the issues with the view on corners it seems to me that the camera should be mounted on the forward bogie (or truck) of the wagon so that it turns with the first wheels, that may mean that it will turn sooner and reduce the vertiginous effect of being dragged round a corner.

    I believe that the bogie mount idea should work very well. I do this stuff for a living and I think that the idea of a pot, some adaptive algorithms and some servos to aim the camera sounds like fun. When we work for the US government that is exactly what we would do, using a whole team of software/electrical/mechanical engineers and techs. BigGrin

    But I am the poor customer here and really, what we actually require is to just see things from the perspective of being on the train. And how could that get any better than panning with the motion of the front of the wagons on the track? That is the same perspective that a loco engineer would have after all.

    I think that the art of building a good electro-mechanical system is understanding when a simpler mechanical solution works just as well as a complex software solution does, even if we don't get the fun of doing it electronically. BigGrin

    BTW the Pi write up is excellent Michael and makes it much more likely that I will find the time to try this fun project myself.

    Thank You.
    Regards,
    Jim

    I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
    So many trains and so little time.
    Offline Michael4  
    #31 Posted : 04 September 2017 10:01:26(UTC)
    Michael4

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
    Posts: 637
    Location: England, South Coast
    Jim,

    Don't send any credit my way, it was Marcus who inspired us to have a go! Your comment about 'the art of building' etc makes me start thinking about a Citroen approach again.
    Offline dickinsonj  
    #32 Posted : 04 September 2017 13:57:15(UTC)
    dickinsonj

    United States   
    Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC)
    Posts: 1,676
    Location: Crozet, Virginia
    Originally Posted by: Michael4 Go to Quoted Post

    Don't send any credit my way, it was Marcus who inspired us to have a go!

    Good point Michael, my mistake.

    It was indeed Marcus who I intended to thank for the information and inspiration on doing this cool project.
    Originally Posted by: Michael4 Go to Quoted Post
    Your comment about 'the art of building' etc makes me start thinking about a Citroen approach again.

    Excellent - be sure to let us all know how that goes if you decide to do it! Cool
    Regards,
    Jim

    I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
    So many trains and so little time.
    thanks 1 user liked this useful post by dickinsonj
    Offline Michael4  
    #33 Posted : 10 September 2017 15:46:48(UTC)
    Michael4

    United Kingdom   
    Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
    Posts: 637
    Location: England, South Coast
    Ignoring the image quality for now (the protective film is still over the camera's lens) This is a first effort with the vidtrain being towed rather than pushed. The 'helter skelter' effect is still there on corners but there is a long way to go...



    OK so my layout looks like a scrapyard.
    thanks 4 users liked this useful post by Michael4
    Offline Flodder450  
    #34 Posted : 10 September 2017 16:00:30(UTC)
    Flodder450

    Netherlands   
    Joined: 02/09/2017(UTC)
    Posts: 1
    Location: Groningen, Groningen
    i tried something similar last year, but with a bigger model RasPi, this is way more portable, if you have a large goods wagon you could make a dedicated one :)
    Users browsing this topic
    Forum Jump  
    You cannot post new topics in this forum.
    You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
    You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
    You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
    You cannot create polls in this forum.
    You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

    | Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET
    This page was generated in 1.180 seconds.