t-trak command/control module set by JoshMurrah

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

This is a pair of t-trak modules that provide command/control and power districts for a t-trak layout. The modules are designed to be back-to-back and the tracks be insulated in the middle with two sets of feeders, so you end up with four power districts with the command/control splitting things in the middle.
I had some goals in building this:
module format, easy to transport
sitting on table top as a conversation piece
providing rail power and east/west cables, module sits in the middle reducing bus lengths
create power districts to aid in troubleshooting
provide lots of visual status options, voltage/amperage in front, all status lights above-table
provide a base for a mast that has wireless options along with a decorative crossbuck/lights
components to use and notes:
front is designed to take a Digitrax UP5 or similar for throttles and a RRampMeter for voltage/amps display
left/right rear on top are designed for booster/command and circuit protection area (I'm using Digitrax DSC240 + BXP88)
two track main and programming track in front
skyboard is permenantly attached due to amount of holes in back, mount extras there (I'm mounting a Pi and USB router)
back has 2x 40mm fans for cooling, three power pole outlets for east/west power and 12V power and grommet for sister module pigtals and AC cord
mount 12v 20A power supply underneath, tuned to 14v, and whatever distro blocks you like to use
mount metal threaded pipe flange in center/top area for wireless/decorative mast
sister module needs the same double-feed track lines that are insulated in the middle to create power districts, there's three outlets on the back of the sister module that are for east/west power inputs plus 12V power input. I'll be using a double crossover which is mostly already gapped, with feeders added on the ends.
update 9/5/17 - uploaded a few pics of the cut parts test assembled.
update 10/11/2017 - assembling final product now... found that since I glue in large wood blocks for feet in the corners, the fan holes get covered, so I'm going to use the "sister" back instead on the power module and cut a fan hole in the top instead. These modules are also about 5mm too wide (they're the exact width of trackage) which I believe was a result of using a lower powered laser and making two passes, not cutting thick enough, or perhaps due to some of the graphics file conversions.