For reasons that need not concern us here, I have joined the Model Electronic Railway Group, (MERG).
This gives me access to their range of kits. Many are complex projects that if I'm honest, are over my head, or at least offer facilities that I'm not likely to need for the sort of layouts I build. However, there are also some pocket money numbers and as it's been a while since I did anything like this, I'm starting with one of these.
The PMP 10 Speed controller is connected to a 12V DC source and provides a variable output from 1.2V to 12V. Suggested uses are running operating accesories such as a windmill, variable voltage supply for the workbench or even a simple railway controller.
In the bag for £1.32 is a piece of pre-cut veroboard and the required components. Instructions are downloaded from the website. The builder needs to supply wire and solder. Quite frankly, for this money, even if you ruin it, it's not the end of the world.
I'll heat up the soldering iron and let you know how I get on tomorrow.
So does this mean that future editions of BRM will include "wire cube" or "stripboard ladder" soldering exercises - reviews of electronics kits - or DIY carriage lighting schemes?
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, there's actually a lot of stuff common to both electronics and railway modelling (well, I would say that, wouldn't I - I've been into electronics for most of my life) - but some of the soldering is rather different.
Although I haven't joined MERG (or any other club / special interest group) I look forward to seeing how you get on with this stuff.
I also look forward to seeing similar posts on RMweb from other people who've recently joined MERG.