Model Train-related Notes Blog -- these are personal notes and musings on the subject of model train control, automation, electronics, or whatever I find interesting. I also have more posts in a blog dedicated to the maintenance of the Randall Museum Model Railroad.
2016-10-07 - NCE Switch-8
Category NCE
I got an NCE Switch-8 to learn what I can (and cannot) do with it for Randall.
Looking at the electronics on the board… If there’s one thing I like about the NCE electronics, it is that they are not fancy. This is the tech I grew up with and I can look at the board and recognize the components and understand what they do. I hope it will stay like that.
Microproc: PIC16F1936
http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/PIC16F1936
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/41364E.pdf
Pin 1 = Vpp (programing voltage)
Pin 8 = Vss (-)
Pin 20 = Vdd (+)
Power: MCC 7805CT
http://www.mccsemi.com/up_pdf/MC7805CT(TO-220).pdf
Front Left to Right : Pin 1 / 2 / 3
Pin 1 = Input / Left
Pin 2 = GND
Pin 3 = Output / Right
On the Switch-8, the large programming header can be used to get the +5 from the 7805.
From top, #2 is the +5 and #3 is the Gnd from 7805 (shared with the GND headers).
NCE AIU01: there's a similar 7805. A +5V can be soldered on the little through-hole just on top of the 7805 on the board. Measures 5V. For a single IR sensor, use a 220 Ω resistor.