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  • Author Author: colporteur
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Raising the Bridge...Automation with Arduino

colporteur

image

This design challenge presented itself at an opportune time. The model railroaders are putting the finishing touches on a bridge that requires some automation.

On the other side of the bridge is a turn-about that the tug (A) needs to reach in order to change direction. I have been asked to create the following automation sequence.

Tug triggers sensor (A) to indicate the bridge needs to raise.

Gate (B) lowers indicate no traffic to enter bridge

Bus (C) stops.

Ramp (D) re-aligns to make room for bridge movement

Bridge (E) raises.

I suspect a button (no letter on the image) on the turn-about side will be required to indicate when the tug has completed it transition and the bridge can be restored.

My initial assessment is two inputs and four outputs.

Inputs

Tug Trigger

Operations Trigger

Outputs

Motor control bridge gate

Power interruption bus

Motor control bridge ramp

Motor control bridge

I am hoping to use a Arduino Uno for the project. If you have an extra to spare you can throw it my way.

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  • in reply to beacon_dave

    I'm not even sure if I can make the bus stop let alone make it jump. The bus is part of a German animation set that uses a wire embedded in the roadway for direction.

    The railroaders I work with have discovered it is better to ask for everything up front than to send scope creep my way after I have started. They failed to mention the switch but I threw it in because I think it is something that will be needed.

    I suspect I might be back with a few posts asking for some assistance during this build. I have a few motor challenges I haven't figured out yet.

    Break...Break...

    The green lettering on the Welcome Sign on the bridge counter-weight is a recommendation I took shabaz up on before his LED Badge post. Be careful what you post on the E14 community. I'm always on the lookout for ideas.