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RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:50 pm
by Adrian Harris
I've been approached by a few people asking if I make anything suitable for remote switch of lights on vehicles, specifically the UC.

I have something in development but would be interested to know how people would like it to operate :?:

The device has two separate channels, which will be operated from a three way switch on the transmitter.

If you imagine the three switch positions as A-B-C, where B is the centre position, I have written the code to operate in three ways:

Mode 1 (Linked) - Position A is both off. Position B is one on, one off. Position C is both on.

Mode 2 (Alternate) - Position B is both off. Position A is one on, one off. Position C is the reverse. You can't have both on at the same time.

Mode 3 (Independent) - Position B is both off. Position B to Position A and back again turns on one. Repeat to turn off. Position B to Position C and back again turns the other one on. Again, repeat to turn off.

Adrian

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 7:46 pm
by Graham P Hough
Looks interesting Adrian, I would be interested in knowing more for my UC.

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:31 pm
by David Battson
Hi Adrian,
Great idea. I guess the choice of switching options really depends on what lights you want to turn on and off.
Mode 1 seems easiest to operate and ideal for a simple tail/side lights first and then tail/side and headlights altogether set up
Mode 3 is more tricky to use but also more flexible and best for independent lighting systems. Presumably both lights can be on together ? Would it be possible to extend Mode 3 to switch more than two circuits, like the sound card?
David

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:39 pm
by Phil Woollard
How are you getting on with my US amplifier board Adrian? The switchers sound good and a much needed addition. 8)

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:44 pm
by Adrian Harris
> Presumably both lights can be on together ?

Yes, each circuit can switch 1A and both can be on together.

> Would it be possible to extend Mode 3 to switch more than two circuits, like the sound card?

It could be but that means you have to get into counting switch toggles rather than just physical switch positions.

If you had something specific in mind, I'm happy to discuss it separately :wink:

The beauty of the board I'm using is that it's only about 10mm x 25mm, so easily hidden in the UC.

Adrian.

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:32 pm
by Gerhard Michel
Beier in Germany (the sound module manufacturer) offers a 4 channel RC switch with 15 modes. Could this be an option ? Here the description:

https://www.beier-electronic.de/modellb ... sprache=gb

If you like to control the loads with the sound module outputs there is another option:

https://www.beier-electronic.de/modellb ... sprache=gb

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:54 pm
by Adrian Harris
That's a fairly incredible bit of kit for the size and the price - so much more elaborate than what I was planning.

Interesting to see they use long and short operations of the switch to do different functions.
I'll have to have a play and see if I can replicate that :lol: :lol:

Adrian.

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 11:41 pm
by Robert E Morey
Adrian
It sounds similar to this item? Although I'm game for anything faster and easier to connect.

https://www.dimensionengineering.com/pr ... controller

Or this..
https://www.dimensionengineering.com/pr ... picoswitch

Best regards,
Bob

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:55 am
by Ragnar Arntsen
Try this item from www cti-modellbau.de
Schaltmodule PS4 a-u-o They measure 14.5X12.5x2,5 mm have 4 outputs each 4A. If you use a Y cabel with the PS4 u_o you will get 8 different switches on one channel. On 12 volt the resistor for the led is about 680 ohm.

Ragnar

Re: RC Light Switches

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 5:34 pm
by Steve Stuart
Also for reference are the Action Electronic Switches for two way and four way switching
https://action-electronics.co.uk/wp-con ... 4/P44A.pdf
https://action-electronics.co.uk/wp-con ... 04/P62.pdf
They both are useful bits of kit, if you can improve on these that would be neat! As a thought, the optimum number of ways is probably three?
Steve