We’ve gotten the question a number of times about how to turn the SoundBytes modules on and off with a switch. It’s actually really easy, but since the question gets asked, I figured I’d do a very quick write-up on it. First of all, the module requires a clean DC power supply of between 5 […]
Author: Nathan Holmes
One of the questions we get somewhat frequently is how to use the TrainSpotter infrared detectors and SoundBytes crossing bells with other vendors’ grade crossing modules. After all, we offer the most reliable IR detection for the model railroads in our TrainSpotter line, along with the widest variety of prototype bells in our SoundBytes. Who […]
One of the unique uses of the ARD-LTC2499 24-bit Analog to Digital Convert Shield is to measure thermocouples directly. Conventional solutions for digitizing thermocouples use a MAX31855 or MCP9600 to convert the voltage to a usable temperature, but these solutions need one part for each thermocouple sensor, and the part is tied specifically to the […]
Please don’t power electronics from your old “DC” power pack. It’s a rare day when I see a layout that doesn’t have a cheap train set power pack powering some accessory somewhere in a corner. It makes me shudder every time I see it, because if it’s powering any electronics, that’s just asking for trouble. […]
Update (19 Jan 2021): Caboose has made good on their debts as of today. Checks arrived to both me personally and to ISE this afternoon, and they have been deposited. We want to thank Kevin and Caboose for repaying these long-outstanding debts. We consider the issue resolved and wish Kevin and Caboose success in future […]
Most of us consider ourselves serious model railroaders – very much into prototype modeling, or at least prototype-based freelance modeling. Michael and Scott are more in the former category, I’m more in the second. But sometimes you just want to see a train run while you’re working. A bit over four years ago, Michael put […]
One of my summer projects for 2020, while spending all day, every day at home, was to finally get my railroad signal restored and up in my back yard. It’s a hodge-podge that’s the end result of 18 months of collecting the necessary parts. The head is a Union Switch & Signal H-2 style searchlight […]
Our (very) limited edition olive green faceplate ProtoThrottles are back from final machining. We assembled them last night along with a number of regular throttles. Since it’s an experimental color and there’s such a small number of them, we’ll be releasing them in the ISE Store on 5/13 at 5:13pm MDT for $513. As a […]
This week I’d like to introduce you to two new Qwiic-compatible I2C products in our lineup: a new Qwiic-compatible, 2 channel analog to digital converter, and a re-spin of our popular I2C-RELAY16 into a Qwiic-compatible 3.3V version. To explore how each of these can be used through a simple example, I’ll walk through an example […]
If you’re at the Amherst Railway Society’s show in Springfield, MA, this weekend, be sure to stop by and see us at the Spring Creek Model Trains booth. We’re happy to partner with Scale Trains on their amazing new Dash 9-44CW models to bring you the most realistic control experience on one of the most […]
