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Offline DaleSchultz  
#1 Posted : 01 January 2022 03:59:54(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
RemoteSign 3.5 has been announced!

The functionality of RemoteSign ESP devices has been vastly extended by adding the capability of defining new types of channels. Previously these devices supported a screen and some sensors, essentially just two types of channel, and no way to redefine them. It is now possible to mix and match a multitude of channels on each device, including new channel types that allow the control of train signals, traffic lights, animated lighting effects, RGB color lights, and more!

For example, you may want a module to drive eight lights in houses as well as sense three pushbuttons to trigger different light sequences. You could define eight monochrome light outputs and one sensor channel with three pins for input.

Another example may be to drive a road traffic light complete with pedestrian crossings (and button inputs).

...or five 2-aspect signals... etc.

See the new {DCH} command for details on the channels that can be defined.

RemoteSign Sequencer has also been updated and provides a user interface for defining channels using the {DCH} command and also corresponding signal and lighting effect commands.

See https://remotesign.mixmox.com/p/version-3-5-channel-configuration.html for more details.



Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 6 users liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
Offline DaleSchultz  
#2 Posted : 01 January 2022 23:29:07(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
Some background information on what a RemoteSign ESP is...

A RemoteSign ESP is a flexible device that can be used to handle numerous tasks, including the following:
  • Displaying a miniature OLED screen (3 sizes of screen are supported)
  • Feedback sensor (up to 10 sensors each)
  • Drive train light signals (up to 5 signals or 10 aspects total, fully configurable with light fade options, etc.)
  • Drive a complete set of road traffic lights (with configurable delays, Euro and US/UK patterns):
    -Two roads with or without pedestrian crossings
    -Single road with pedestrian crossing
  • Drive up to 11 LED lights with various lighting effects and animated patterns
  • Drive RGB color lights with various lighting effects

The different types of functionality listed above are also supported on a single device and can be reconfigured as needed.

In addition, scripts can be recorded and saved to the device so that they perform functions automatically on startup, or in response to commands received via Wi-Fi. RemoteSign Sequencer can be used to define what functionality is present and to record scripts or send commands, etc.

Scripts can be triggered from any Windows software that can launch an external program such as RocRail, TrainController (RailRoad & Co™), etc.

They are powered using either a USB cable (type B-micro) or a 5 Volt DC power supply.
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
Offline DaleSchultz  
#3 Posted : 07 January 2022 04:10:14(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
I am wondering what sort of light animations people would like to have as predefined animations...

In addition to various light signals and traffic lights, these light animations are already predefined:

  • Alternating flashers
  • Ambulance
  • Chase pattern
  • Fire Engine
  • German level crossing (Bü) with new style traffic pattern
  • Police
  • UK pattern level crossing
  • Vehicle Indicators and hazard lights
  • Wig-wag (alternating headlights)


One can of course define additional animations, but I am wondering what sorts of animations would be most useful and commonly needed.

So, what else is needed?

Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
Offline hxmiesa  
#4 Posted : 07 January 2022 07:10:17(UTC)
hxmiesa

Spain   
Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC)
Posts: 3,519
Location: Spain
Random blitzing-light, like welding.

Also, you might want to state specifically that your system is good for carnivals; Lights animations for stalls and booths on the fairground.

Finally, I wonder what power-limit each output has; Is it only enough for driving a LED, or can small motors and solenoids be driven?

Finally-finally, I wonder if the "Feedback sensors" are able to handle S88-wired feedbacks (maybe with a diode inbetween¿?), or in any other way interface to an existing system (Not talking about the interfacing to the PC Train-Controller software)
Best regards
Henrik Hoexbroe ("The Dane In Spain")
http://hoexbroe.tripod.com
Offline Danlake  
#5 Posted : 07 January 2022 11:41:00(UTC)
Danlake

New Zealand   
Joined: 03/08/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,571
Fluorescent light effect similar to what ESU has in their light decoder strips.

Would like quite cool to e.g. have station/platform lights turning on at sunset with the typical intermediate flashing effect before coming fully on.

Great work by the way Dale ThumpUp

Best Regards
Lasse
Digital 11m2 layout / C (M&K) tracks / Era IV / CS3 60226 / Train Controller Gold 9 with 4D sound. Mainly Danish and German Locomotives.
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by Danlake
Offline DaleSchultz  
#6 Posted : 07 January 2022 16:47:02(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
ah yes, Welder and fluorescent light starts are already there as light effects....

Animations are sequences of some light effects with timings between them, usually using multiple lights.

I guess I should also ask what other light effects would be good to have... here is the list of lighting effects already there:

  • On
  • Off
  • DOff (go off but with incandescent fade)
  • Flash - flash on and off
  • FlashR - flash on and off rapidly
  • Transition from current brightness to a new brightness (any duration and for RGB - any color)
  • Lightning simulate lightning flashes and return brightness to original value
  • Flames - simulates flickering flames
  • Fluorescent - simulate the flickering start of a fluorescent light
  • Coals - simulates glowing coals
  • Phone - simulates a cell phone camera flash
  • Camera - simulates a camera flash gun
  • Slag - cooling slag (over 15 minutes)
  • Sunrise - simulate increasing brightness (over any duration)
  • Sunset - simulate decreasing brightness (over any duration)
  • TV - simulates the changing light that lights up a room from a TV screen¹
  • Minutes - switch on and off at intervals specified
  • Seconds - switch on and off at intervals specified
  • RandomM - switch light on and off at random intervals (max on and off periods specified)
  • RandomS - switch light on and off at random intervals (max on and off periods specified)
  • Welder - simulate the light from an arc welder (random (1-3) number of initial strikes and random durations on and off)


What else would make sense?

A K83 type 'pulse' is planned.

A while back I saw someone had fed their entire station lighting through a single fluorescent light startup circuit and it looked ridiculous IMHO. Each light fitting needs its own flicker startup. A RemoteSign ESP (plus mosfets) could drive 11 such circuits producing a much more realistic startup of the platform lighting.
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
Offline DaleSchultz  
#7 Posted : 07 January 2022 17:16:39(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
Originally Posted by: hxmiesa Go to Quoted Post

I wonder what power-limit each output has; Is it only enough for driving a LED, or can small motors and solenoids be driven?


Good question, and yes each output is only 3.3V 12mA enough for one LED. So to drive multiple LEDs in a single circuit you would add a MOSFET module or a relay module. I am driving my whole room lighting (3000 LEDs) through one of these modules using MOSFETS. If dimming is not needed one can use RELAYS. Both the relays and MOSFETS are readily available for example the JBtek 8 Channel DC 5V Relay Module. With relay modules you can drive something using full mains power - typically up to 10A.

My plan is create a page explaining how to wire these up when more power is needed, with links to the hardware bits.

Note that if (say) powering the lights in a building one can also simply use one output per room.
If animating an ambulance or fire engine, one cold simply drive each LED independently in the animation. So no MOSFET or relay would be needed.


Originally Posted by: hxmiesa Go to Quoted Post

finally, I wonder if the "Feedback sensors" are able to handle S88-wired feedbacks (maybe with a diode inbetween¿?), or in any other way interface to an existing system (Not talking about the interfacing to the PC Train-Controller software)


I did build a circuit and tested this successfully but it does need a circuit to be constructed to ensure that the ground signal of the track is isolated from the ground of the ESP module. When I have documented how to add relays and mosfets, I'll look for that circuit.

I am planning on adding a k83 type pulse (light effect) with definable duration, so one could drive turnouts, etc. (with a relay)

Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
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