Hi, just returning to railway modelling after a few decades. Looking to build a simple layout for my grandson. I'd like to use DCC++ but I'm looking for a simple cab that he can use. All it needs is a rotating knob for fwd-stop-rev, perhaps 2 or 3 function buttons for future use, and a pre-selected loco address that he doesn't have to worry about - a separate throttle for each loco (1=Thomas, 2-Edward, 3=Henry, etc) would be ideal, but possibly something like the Bachmann E-Z controller may do... Any suggestions?
This would be fairly easy to do honestly. My suggestion would be have a look through the threads on original throttle by David Bodnar. Along with great work bu UK Steve and others. Just through excluding or hardcoding a few lines in place of variables on the arduino program should be totally doable. I have also thought of doing this for my 5 year old son with just a few buttons. Knob for speed control, button for direction, then maybe a whistle and horn button and thats it. I would hardcode the address in but you certainly could use 3 buttons for three different addresses. If I decide to do something with this I'll post progress and would ask if you would do the same!
Rotary & 4 buttons with 2 LED for feedback. https://rudysmodelrailway.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/a-dcc-throttle-for-e6/
why not use the cheap EZ-controller it works, you have nine locos, it´s easy and for the rest switch to dcc++
My recollection with the Bachmann E_Z Command controller was that, when I switched from one loco to the next, as soon as I touched the throttle knob the selected loco speed would jump to match the knob setting. It is a potentiometer, not a rotary encoder (or at least it behaves like a potentiometer). Could prove challenging for a very young/inexperienced operator.
