How to control 3 DC locomotives using a DIY wireless system.
The system allows either one operator to control 3 DC locomotives at once or have control split among 2 or 3 operators.
There are two parts to the system. A throttle that is the transmitter and a receiver.
Here is a video that shows you how it operated. Click here.
To make it easy for you, here are the parts lists.
These parts are used to build the throttle
- Arduino Pro Mini – Amazon or eBay
- Joystick, Amazon and Banggood.com
- HC-12 radio transceiver – from Banggood.com, and other vendors
- OLED display – Banggood.com and Amazon
- On Off toggle switch – various vendors, junk box
- 3 @ 3mm red LEDs – various vendors, junk box
- 470 ohm resistor
- Battery – 3.7 volt from cell phone – eBay or junk box – look for a cell phone battery with a built in protection circuit
- on/off switch – any SPST switch will work – various vendors, junk box
These parts are required to build one receiver. You can build up to 3 to use with this system.
Receiver Construction
The receiver parts list and a photo are below. In addition you will need to supply 12 to24 volts DC to power your trains. I have had good service from recycled laptop power supplies.
- Motor Controller – ICStation
- Prototype Board – Tayda Electronics
- Arduino Nano – eBay or Amazon
- HC-12 radio transceiver – from Banggood.com, and other vendors
- Header-female 2.54mm – Tayda Electronics or other vendors
- Header – male 2.54mm – Tayda Electronics or other vendors
- Header – right angle- male 2.54mm – Tayda Electronics or other vendors
- Header – double male 2.54mm – eBay or other vendors
- 3 @ 3mm red LEDs – various vendors, junk box
- 470 ohm resistor
Here is the step by step guide to make this system. Click here.