Category:Electronics

From SPCoast

[edit] Introduction

Some of the schematics and PCB layouts featured here were done using the free tools provided by ExpressPCB, which also provides high quality board fabrication and internet based ordering directly from their tools. Others have been done with another, more powerful package called Eagle, which is also free. The only drawback I’ve found with ExpressPCB is the closed nature of their tools - there is no way to move the schematic or PCB data into other tools such as Eagle. This started off as not much of an issue for me, since portability and simplicity were important to me. Sinced then, much of the complexity of PCB fabrication (CAD tools, gerber files, board houses and fabrication constraints) has gone away as the market has rewarded companies that reduced their complexity.

Since many of the designs presented here are based - at least in part - on the designs posted by others on the ‘net, these designs, schematics and PCB layouts are also being made available to the model railroad community.

I am not selling any of these boards. I am simply making the schematics and board layouts available to you for your own use, so you can easily take the Schematic and PCB files referenced on these pages, download ExpressPCB or Eagle, and have your own boards manufactured. It takes between 2 and 4 weeks (faster if you pay more) and, whatever route you take, you get professional quality boards.

More information:

ExpressPCB web site

Download ExpressSCH and ExpressPCB

Eagle web site

Download Eagle

Download makeboard, a script I wrote (for Linux/MacOS) to help gather Eagle files together into zip files suitable for sending to board houses.

My current focus is on building an Arduino-based Interlocking unit to prevent switch/points and signals from being operated in ways that would allow for conflicting train movements. To that end, I've designed an I2C-based IO board that can interface to various devices, such as detectors, signal drivers, relay drivers, circuit breakers, turnout controllers and the like.

The collection below represents projects that are/will show up on my layout, as well as "learning experiences" and projects I've done for others. Enjoy!