The overhaul to V3, aiming for realism
Dear members of SSC,
The time has come to overhaul Phase. Phase has been an on going project since 2009 and was first featured on Looping Star in 2010. Phase allows the user to operate a roller-coaster in a realistic way using sensors, relays and buttons to control the roller-coaster. The dream of being a ride-op was the inspiration for this project, being able to push a button to launch a car onto the track, have it start and stop automatically and open the gates with the twist of a switch.
Let me show you the history of Phase:
Phase 1.0,
the first version of Phase. Featured a slanted control panel and an external box for the components that did not fit in the control panel.
Phase 2.0,
same lay-out as Phase 1.0 but with a revamped and optimized code. Featured the ability to run two trains and switch between a single train or multiple trains.
Phase 2.1,
same lay-out as Phase 2.0 but with optimized code, ability to run two trains automatically and featured a realistic block system to allow for more trains than Phase 2.0.
Phase 3.0 is aiming to incorporate more realistic systems and electronics to control the roller-coasters. Inspiration to start this project came from working at the funfair at a roller-coaster called Super Mouse. The crew showed me the control panel and explained to me what all the buttons did, looking at the electronics cabinet showed me how a real roller-coaster operated. With this in mind I started thinking about a different, brand new, realistic design.
At the hardware store I bought a suitcase and some wood.
The suitcase was digitally replicated in Google Sketchup.
The real one
The Sketchup model
When the model was completed I started drawing a cabinet to house all the electronics; power supply, PCB's, Arduino, relays, etc.
The cabinet, the PSU is from an old PC and I also salvaged 2 8cm fans from the pc.
During my free time at school I started out sketching diagrams for the motors, servos, E-stop etc. Part of the E-stop diagram I owe to Floris2Burn.
After school the first parts were bought:
Switches, relays, diodes, resistors, wire, IC-sockets, screw terminals and shrink tubing.
So far so good, currently I have a bunch of electronics laying around but the project is far from finished. The wood for the cabinet has to be bought and cut to size before I can do any soldering or wiring. The project is already turning out to be very expensive so I will have to purchase my parts in monthly bulks.
I plan to keep this thread updated with every purchase/problem/build. Showing you how I will make this new version of Phase. Stay tuned for more!
Phase 3.0, let's go!
Thanks to Bananaman from my clan for the logo.