29. Remote controller.
29
least in part) independent of the rails. My own interest is not in
enabling KAOS power for DCC, but in rail-mounted animation.
The solution for loco control is a relatively simple, low-cost
($3.60) radio link to the loco, using an RFM12B transceiver
module (transmitter/receiver). This is not traditional RC con-
trol, even though traditional RC control could be used here at
greater cost, and using more space in the loco. This scheme is
more like a 2-way serial data link via radio. The RFM12B is con-
trolled with a small Arduino.
The combination of the RFM12B mounted on the back of a
small Arduino, nearly in the form factor of an Arduino Pro-Mini,
is available as a Moteino from Low Power Lab
This saves even more space, and comes with
its own program sketch library including working examples. As I
recommend quite often, I copied a basic example and edited it
for use in a small, 9-volt battery-operated remote control. The
example library will support 255 channel IDs, allowing many
different locos to be independently addressed.
Battery-powered models - 12
The remote has more knobs and switches than you need for
this model, but I am anticipating expanded use later. There is
a power switch, a direction switch, a lights switch, and a speed
knob. Lights are directional when turned on. Two Moteino
boards are used, one in the loco and the other in the controller.
RFM12B’s can be operated at 434 MHz (universal), 868 MHz
(EU), and 915 MHz (US, Australia, etc.). There are several ver-
sions now available. I used the R2 version. Both programs are
included in the additional materials with this article. There is
more information on the Low Power Lab website.
They are set up very much like the cheap Arduino Pro Minis I
use.(See the sidebar following this story). Besides power and
ground, there are five other connections to the Moteino, and
two are for the lights! The controller Moteino just connects to
the switches and knobs. This version is very basic. The enter-
prising individual could add momentum effects, sound, classifi-
cation lights, and more. This is enough for a start.
30. Remote controller internals.
30
MRH-Nov 2014
