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
