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Fitting the micro switches is pretty straight forward. The only tricky part is ensuring that the switches are soldered to their PCB at the correct angle. I found that a cocktail stick under the switches' rear end does this just nicely! (Figure 15)
Figure 15: Using a Cocktail Stick to Set the Micro Switches
Each micro switch is individually adjusted using set screws, Figure 16.
The switches are only rated at 50mA, and I intend to use memory wire actuation that draws around 200mA, so an intermediate relay of some description will be required.
Figure 16: Lower Rear View Showing Micro Switch Adjusters [Click for full size image]
Now that the unit is built and tested you can put a pretty diagram into it, Figure 17, and show it off to your friends. I used Microsoft Publisher to prepare my drawing, if anyone wants a copy of the Publisher file as a starting point for their own layouts then drop me an e-mail. [Stewart has kindly provided the relevant files for download: Click here - ed]
This was a fun exercise and might just encourage me to actually get on with the railway side of things.
Figure 17: The Finished Article [Click for full size image]
People on the VAG occasionally ask about technical drawing programs. I used a very easy to use, yet powerful, free program to draw the diagrams for this article. You can obtain the free version of CadStd from http://www.cadstd.com/. It doesn't do everything, but the Pro version comes close, and only costs $25.
The 2mm Scale Association.
Contact Stewart McSporran.
Download the SigScribe4 file for Loch Awe. Needs SigScribe4 version 1.1 or greater.
Download the Publisher files for the Loch Awe Signal Diagram.
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