The TV/VCR Infrared Remote Throttle - Version 2

Version 2 now has the following new features:

• Ability to enter a new address using the numeric keys.
• Ability to recall previously used loco addresses from a recall stack.
• Now only uses the Channel Up/Down keys for loco speed and direction.

The main motivation for developing a throttle that used a common IR Remote was to have a simple throttle that I could give to my young children to use which would handle being dropped much better than my DT400! Also there are a lot less buttons for them to learn to use and they can't really get into trouble by pressing any of the other buttons. It should also be useful for visitors as I only have a single DT400 throttle, which is a bit of a problem currently.

It has been developed on my LocoDev PCB. The full source code is available in the CVS Archive and snapshots can be downloaded from the Files section of the SourceForge project.

The throttle has the following features:

• It uses a 16 x 2 LCD display which shows the Loco Address, speed and direction on the top line and functions 0 to 8 along the bottom line. Error messages are also displayed along the bottom line.
• It is currently configured to use a Radio Shack Universal Remote (15-2113) which cost US$5. Bob Jacobsen brought one and posted it to me - thanks Bob! I've configured it for a Sony TV that generates Sony SIRCS encoded IR bit streams. Other popular protocols may be added later.
• You can Acquire a loco that have been previously Dispatched from another DTx00 throttle by pressing the red "Power" key.
• You can enter a loco address using the numeric keys, the "Enter" key clears the address and then you press the "Power" key to select it.
• You can Recall a previously used loco address using the "Last" key and then press the "Power" key to select it.
• When you're done you just press the "Power" key again and hold it down for a few seconds and the loco is Released.
• Forward/Reverse & Accelerate/Decelerate are on the Channel Up & Down keys.
• Stop is on the "Mute" key and hold it down for a few seconds for Emergency Stop.
• Functions 0 to 8 are on the numeric channel keys 0 to 8. All functions except for function 2 are latching

I've been trying it on my layout and it seems to work quite well. I think mounting the IR receiver high up on the wall in the middle of the layout would be best but it worked ok just sitting it on the shelf at one end, so long at the sun wasn't shining directly into the IR detector. I powered it off the LocoNet UP5 that is separately powered but it also seems to work ok powered directly from the DCS100.

I showed my 6 year old daughter which buttons to press and she was off running trains in no time. They like to be able to turn the lights on and off. A few minutes later she tried to show my 3 year old son what to do, but he didn't end up getting a turn. :(( Hmmm... I think I'll have to make it dual channel so it will support two remotes!

Below is a generated image of the LocoDev PCB with the components to make a IR Throttle and PC RS232 LocoNet interface

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