Hi Jim,

I'm kinda late to this party.  While not exactly what you are doing, I've done similar with an AM-1S. I used the S because I wanted some sound effects. The AM-1 would work too.

I am controlling two turnouts on my indoor section with the AM-1S. My turnouts are moved by servos. There is separate electronics to drive the servos. The AM-1 provides and on/off function on an output that drives a relay, The relay controls the servo driver.

I had to write my own accessory program. I'm an old basic programmer, so the logic wasn't too hard but it did take a lot of tries to get it to do what I wanted. Quirks of RPA's programming function are part of the challenge!

I think there is a thread on here of the project. Here is the link: https://rpug.pdc.ca/index.php/topic,1286.msg9704.html#msg9704

Jon

A little late here, but be careful with air solenoids.

If the decoder handles 400 MA TOTAL, then you may have a problem right there... you should measure the steady state current of the air solenoid when activated... (I use 24v air solenoids)

Next they have a very big inductive kick, which can blast solid state switch controllers, you will want to put in a "snubbing" diode across the solenoid to not feed that back into the electronics.

I'm making the assumption that the turnout controller output is solid state, or possibly a reed relay, both of which can be easily destroyed by the BEMF of the solenoid unless protected.

Greg

Hmm, something doesn't sound right then.

What version of RPA are you running. I imagine it's 4.01 but just to be sure. Also, how full is your RPA storage?

I don't have an AM-1 so I can't try to fully replicate what you are doing so are these the steps that you followed in order?

• Click Accessory Project button in the section titled "Select here to load file from this computer to hand held controller".
• Click the Select Option button next to the Accessory Project button to be taken to the Project Manager screen
• Click the New Project button to be taken to the New Project page
• On the New Project page, select the type of accessory module you are designing the project for and give the project a name.
• Design and program your project. Once finished click the save button. Note you do not need to add a picture during the design stage.
• Once saved, your project should now show in the Project Manager screen (If you click Edit next to your projects name you should be taken back to the project editor).
• Click the Exit page button to be taken back to the main page.
• Click Accessory Project in the section titled "Select here to load file from this computer to hand held controller" again to show you the accessory projects stored on your computer. You can now add your project to the list for downloading to your HC for loading to the accessory module.

Don't forget you'll need to download a picture to the HC for loading to the accessory module as well.

- Tim

...Once the project is downloaded, is it no longer available for editing and must be recreated from scratch?

No, it should be available in RailPro Assistant so you can download it again and again, until you delete it. I'd suggest giving the RailPro Assistant manual a look though.  The part dealing with custom accessory projects starts on page 39 but you should find your accessory project by clicking the Accessory Project button in the section of the RPA screen titled "Select here to load file from this computer to hand held controller".  You can then use the "Select Option..." buttons to edit, copy , delete etc.

I’m getting a message that my project name can’t be associated with a picture?

When your designing the project in RPA, the picture you type in must exist in RPA as well for it to show, so following my example a picture named Little Gulch Nth End would have to exist in RPA for it to show on the designing screen. This has no bearing on when the project is loaded into the accessory module, you'll have to upload the picture you want to the AM-1 and set the picture the same as you do for a LM.

I'm presuming that you've downloaded the Accessory product program to the AM-1?

- Tim

Yes, with additional information.

Output 1 and Output 2 are Motor 1
Output 3 and Output 4 are Motor 2
Output 5 through Output 8 are Output 5 through Output 8.

Look at the AM-1S or AM-2S manual under Wire LED's or Wire Light Bulbs to see how you should wire the solenoids. I don't think there's any reason you probably couldn't use the motor outputs as well as long as the solenoids aren't polarity sensitive.

Also, the max current the AM-1 is rated for isn't specified but the max current the AM-1S is rated for is only 400mA continuous combined across all outputs; just something to be aware of.

Another thought, if it doesn't quite work out because there's not enough grunt to power the solenoids directly:

• You could use the turnout program in the AM-1 to drive latching relays (push the button to turn on, push the button again to turn off) to drive the solenoids.
• You could drive normal relays from the project you write to drive the solenoids.
  

It's more money etc but it could be a last resort to provide enough grunt.

- Tim