Scenery Lighting Control

[Moria]

Hey all.

Has anyone ever used Light@Night? :--

http://www.light-at-night.com/ or
https://www.ldt-infocenter.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=en:lightatnight 


or know of anyone who has, or heard any feedback about it, or alternatively know of some other system that can be computer controlled to handle all the scenery lighting and do day / night transitions etc.

Regards

Graham

[Bealman]

Being all in German, it's probably what they use at Minatur Wunderland

[Caz]

have a look at CML Electronics scenery animator module MSC8 designed for Digitrax Looney but can be programmed and used with other systems.

[Moria]

Caz, thank you.. I'll look into that more closely.   That may do what I want as it has a bonus of being able to be driven by DCC command from RR&Co, unlike the one I found and at 30 pounds for 8 light groups, that's not bad, and there will be some spares for electric motors as well for things like my wind turbine and perhaps for motorizing some other bits and bobs.

OnlyMe..  in a way yes, but for me, the ultimate aim is to sit and watch the trains go by.  I already have the RR&Co software set-up so the layout can be completely automatic to the point where I don't actually know what train is coming out next.  To me the next stage is to complete the scene by using lighting and accessories to make the whole layout a stage for the trains to run in, and that would include, for me, changing from day to night cycles and having a control of lights and scenic accessories that go with that.  For example, I currently know what time it is on my layout from clock chimes from the church

I am really not sure about the Light@Night system because it runs in parallel with the RR&Co and not controlled by it.  The CML unit mentioned by CAS can be controlled by RR&Co, and as such can be driven by macros in the timetables and schedules and has some lighting effects built in.

I found some units by MicroMiniatures which could be controlled by DCC by driving the outputs through an Aux-Box DCC switching unit, but again that starts to be expensive and has no lighting effects..  it has dimmers to vary the brightness of channels, but would need additional modules for effects.

Ultimately, I want this to also control the room lighting so I can vary from day to night with sunrise and sunset as well.

I know JMRI has a lighting module that may do the trick as it also includes an interface to DMX for the railway room lighting.  Again, I know I can link a second interface into my RR&Co if that's needed.

Whatever I do will have a cost involved, and some would say..  is it worth it when the layout itself is really off the shelf stuff such as Metcalf buildings, RTP buildings and RTR stock, but again.. for me..  it's the whole scene thing that is what I am trying to capture.

Will it be worth it?..   I think that is a question only each of us can answer for the way we play trains

Bealman..  could be.. I know the Miniature were trying to develop there own system but it came at too high a cost..  whether they eventually used this, I have no idea.

Regards

Graham

[Caz]

That may do what I want as it has a bonus of being able to be driven by DCC command from RR&Co,

I've currently have 3 MSC8's (still need at least 2 more) being controlled by R&RCo software and as you say they can be controlled anyway you want including in schedules and by timetable.  The timetable option for instance allows me to start the day with upstairs house lights coming on as people get up, then the downstairs with the upstairs going off a little later.  People get to work and then the factory or shop lights come on, it all adds to the realism of the layout and really brings it to life.  At the end of the day all happens in reverse as they get home and go to bed.

[Moria]

That may do what I want as it has a bonus of being able to be driven by DCC command from RR&Co,

I've currently have 3 MSC8's (still need at least 2 more) being controlled by R&RCo software and as you say they can be controlled anyway you want including in schedules and by timetable.  The timetable option for instance allows me to start the day with upstairs house lights coming on as people get up, then the downstairs with the upstairs going off a little later.  People get to work and then the factory or shop lights come on, it all adds to the realism of the layout and really brings it to life.  At the end of the day all happens in reverse as they get home and go to bed.

awesome, exactly what I am looking for...

Now,  I'll post this in the DCC forum as well..  do you know anyone who has built any open DCC decoders?  They do a DMX one and a streetlight one that looks really good

Regards

Graham

[Bealman]

I felt sure that you had a system like that, Caz, and thought you'd be along sooner or later!

Personally, I think it's a great idea and one I hope to implement one of these days (said he, having constructed one of Trainsdownunder 's arc welder kits 18 months ago and still not got around to installing it on the layout) 

George

[daveg]

I felt sure that you had a system like that, Caz, and thought you'd be along sooner or later!

Personally, I think it's a great idea and one I hope to implement one of these days (said he, having constructed one of Trainsdownunder 's arc welder kits 18 months ago and still not got around to installing it on the layout) 

George

Doing better than me George! Mine is still in its packaging.

Fascinating stuff though.

I'm hoping to light the layout but can't get me old head around the clever computer controlled stuff so it'll be 'simple' wiring and switches for me.

Dave G

[Bealman]

Dave it doesn't have to be computer controlled. Can be done with old fashioned hard wiring and readily available circuitry.

I am getting enticed by this Arduino concept though.... you can programme it to fire relays or do what you want...