Been a couple of weeks since I looked in on the progress of this project.....All I can say is your overall skills are amazing, from electronics to wiring to design and building.

Going to be a crowd pleaser for sure.

Each room has a clear LED light. The circuit is a sequencer. It turns on one light at a time. Each light (room) is on for about 20 seconds. It makes it look as if someone is going from one room to the next.

Bish

...That first pic, the one top left, is the white line the edge of the display.

Yes mate.

PeterPan

There is a partial house included in the chosen area to be covered in the landscape.

So I figured out the most likely measurements a builder would use.

 

Using scrap timber, Masonite, matchsticks and clear Perspex, a house was to be built. I always want to build a house .

 

 

Nice start on the house Peter. That first pic, the one top left, is the white line the edge of the display.

mmthrax

 

PeterPan

'settled into'? No mate, got right into it with gusto!

 

 

Oh Ok.  Just wanted to clarify.  Over here, if you get "stuck into" doing something, you got the "short straw", or the "wrong end of the stick".

The scenery is fantastic.  Sounds, and looks like a great ride.  There is no scenery even remotely like that in my neck of the woods. 

 

Its not just an Ozzie thing, in the ok it also means to do somthing with enthusiasm. It might not always be somthing you enjoy doing, but you get stuck in and get the job done. 

CapnMac82

Does more with less more often than I can even imagine.

You honor me, sir.  Thank you. 

CapnMac82

He has but one flaw:  His skills drive me to drink, but won't drive me home again afterward

Yeah--that's a problem alright. If I lived closer I'd drive you home. Chances are--I'd stay for a few first and then we'd both need a driver home. 

mmthrax

There is this "Bakster" cat that is also inspirational to me.

Too right, mate.
Does more with less more often than I can even imagine.

He has but one flaw:  His skills drive me to drink, but won't drive me home again afterward

There is a partial house included in the chosen area to be covered in the landscape.

So I figured out the most likely measurements a builder would use.

Using scrap timber, Masonite, matchsticks and clear Perspex, a house was to be built. I always want to build a house .

Gamera

Still looks amazing, love how she's coming along. 

 I think I my problem is I love too much stuff since I can't seem to commit to any one project and keep spreading my attention around way too much. 

Thanks Gamera.

I had that same problem for many years. Once a project got worked out, or I already knew exactly what to do, the task turned into a chore. So I looked elsewhere for a challenge. Hence, a stack of unfinished projects.

Then I saw modellers doing 'what ifs'. They changed a predictable outcome to uncertainty. Hence, the challenge to see how it will turn out.

That is why I never took up model making from kits. When I discovered scratch building, I thought, "that's the way to go for me".

mmthrax

...He has the knack for being able to say things that resonate and make sense.  Things that are already inside you, but he finds them hidden in a mental sock drawer somewhere and reminds you of them... 

Thanks mmthrax.

It is like you said, it's nothing new, but revealed again what we already know.

We all have cover-stories veiling the truth. Introspection dissolves these veilings to reveal the truth. So, all I am doing is being honest. 

Bakster

... If it doesn't work -- it doesn't work...

Bakster, that is a good attitude to have.

Some people have trouble accepting failures. Usually those same people (perfectionists) have trouble accepting successes too, for they always find imperfections to worry about.

We were not born with an instruction manual. Life is an experiment, and some things will blow up in our face. The best we can do is dust off, learn from it, and try something different. The only thing that gets us to try again is the fact that most of the time things don't blow up. So it's worth the risk to keep experimenting.

Still looks amazing, love how she's coming along. 

I think I my problem is I love too much stuff since I can't seem to commit to any one project and keep spreading my attention around way too much. 

mmthrax

There is this "Bakster" cat that is also inspirational to me.

Mark... you are a scholar and gentleman. Thanks for the kind words, Sir.

Peter Pan

I find that speed of progress is in proportion to degree of loving to do it. Some parts are more loving than others. It can be surprising what turns out to be loving or not.

Bakster

Peter... there is a lot of wisdom in what you wrote.

Yeah Steve, I am of the opinion that Peter is some kind of sage genius.  He has the knack for being able to say things that resonate and make sense.  Things that are already inside you, but he finds them hidden in a mental sock drawer somewhere and reminds you of them.  

There is this "Bakster" cat that is also inspirational to me.  That is the beauty of this forum.  I love it.  It's like free sunshine every day. Keeps me picking away at it. 

PeterPan

'settled into'? No mate, got right into it with gusto!

Oh Ok.  Just wanted to clarify.  Over here, if you get "stuck into" doing something, you got the "short straw", or the "wrong end of the stick".

The scenery is fantastic.  Sounds, and looks like a great ride.  There is no scenery even remotely like that in my neck of the woods. 

PeterPan

Thanks Bakster for compliment.

Perhaps it would not take you that long. It has been over a year for me, working in all my spare time. I find that speed of progress is in proportion to degree of loving to do it. Some parts are more loving than others. It can be surprising what turns out to be loving or not.

I have been doing some landscaping over the last few days. Filling in the gaps between road and footpaths etc with foam. Beforehand, I dreaded the idea of doing it. Never done it before, and felt some apprehension of doing a poor job of it. As I was progressing from the most easiest sections, my confidence in using the foam increased. Now I love using the stuff. Found myself working longer hours in the day because of it.

 

mmthrax

  P

eterPan

As soon as I got back from my ride, I got stuck into building the new section.

This may be an Aussie thing.  I am going to interpret this as "I then settled into building the new section."  This way, to me, it sounds like you were enjoying yourself, as opposed to be manacled below decks.

You are doing some great work, and it looks like a really cool bike trail too.  Double the fun!!

Hi Mark.

'settled into'? No mate, got right into it with gusto! 

Yep, the bicycle ride along the Richmond River to Wardell bridge (12 km) is really nice. Along River Drive there is hardly any traffic, and it runs between the cane fields and the river bank. It does not get any better.

Thanks Bakster for compliment.

Perhaps it would not take you that long. It has been over a year for me, working in all my spare time. I find that speed of progress is in proportion to degree of loving to do it. Some parts are more loving than others. It can be surprising what turns out to be loving or not.

I have been doing some landscaping over the last few days. Filling in the gaps between road and footpaths etc with foam. Beforehand, I dreaded the idea of doing it. Never done it before, and felt some apprehension of doing a poor job of it. As I was progressing from the most easiest sections, my confidence in using the foam increased. Now I love using the stuff. Found myself working longer hours in the day because of it.

PeterPan

As soon as I got back from my ride, I got stuck into building the new section.

This may be an Aussie thing.  I am going to interpret this as "I then settled into building the new section."  This way, to me, it sounds like you were enjoying yourself, as opposed to be manacled below decks.

You are doing some great work, and it looks like a really cool bike trail too.  Double the fun!!

All I keep thinking when I see your work is how many years it would take me to do a project like this. Too long is the answer. Great work.

Thank you mmthrax. It is nice getting ideas from other builders. I have learnt a lot too, about meodelling, since I started last year.

___________________________________

Late last year the shire council put in a new pathway along Bridge Street. I decided to add this to the diorama. Rode down to Wardell to make notes, measurements, and photgraphs.

As soon as I got back from my ride, I got stuck into building the new section.

A few days later, the new pathway got laid in.

It had lots of small challenges which brings fun for model building. 

This is really neat Peter.  Seeing the process helps me think of things in a "small bites" format.  I am learning a lot.  Giving me lots of ideas.  Carry on sir.

Building outward from the bridge.

Top left is 2010, right is 2017.

Aesthetically, I decided to use similar approaches from the bridge to the pedestrian footpaths and railings.

Thank you Mark (mmthrax), and CapnMac82 for your compliments.

CapnMac82

Gets better and better.

per my previous question, what I was envisioning were some laminate disks with numerals that would fit on the bosses of the handles to where the switches could be numbered in sequence.

Which could then be "codified" with a series of .AND. circuits.  So that S2 is only powered if S1 is powered, and so on.  Which would "collapse" if say S3 out of S8 were deenergized.  Only problem with that, is the loads on reenergizing. Which is why the smart kids use programmable controlers.  I'm more of a breadboard it to see if it works type...

Good ideas. Not sure exactly how to impart the sequence intsructions. The general plan is to have a list 1 to n. Like:

1/ Switch CHANGEOVER to NORMAL.

2/ Turn CONTROL switch to CONTROL.

3/ Switch TRAFFIC CONTROL to NORMAL. Wait till GATES MOVEABLE lamp is ON.

4/ Switch GATES 1-4 to CLOSE.

etc.

Step 3 triggers an alarm bell and flashing amber traffic lights for 10-15 seconds before the red traffic lights turn red. At this point both ROAD LIGHTS RED  and GATES MOVEABLE lamps light up. Gates 1-4, via a relay, become enabled. Not until all four gates are closed does another relay become energized to enable LIFT SPAN LOCK OPERABLE lamp lights up.....and so the sequence goes.

Some relays are latched, isolating and enabling the sequence to one section only. This disables other switches (no power).

Operating the bridge uses momentary pushbuttons, they too are hooked up so no two or more buttons pressed simultaneously will make a difference. . . except a disabled action.

There is a lot to work out when trying to make something child-proof. 

Some operators will feel too challenged and will abandon sequence halfway. Or could not be bothered to go further after the boat has traversed under the bridge. A timer will then disable the display and a museum staff member will have to complete the sequence to reset it.

If all this gets too much of a hassle. The alternative is to have the visitor ask at the desk (nearby) to operate the bridge, and a staff member will supervise.

Gets better and better.

per my previous question, what I was envisioning were some laminate disks with numerals that would fit on the bosses of the handles to where the switches could be numbered in sequence.

Which could then be "codified" with a series of .AND. circuits.  So that S2 is only powered if S1 is powered, and so on.  Which would "collapse" if say S3 out of S8 were deenergized.  Only problem with that, is the loads on reenergizing. Which is why the smart kids use programmable controlers.  I'm more of a breadboard it to see if it works type.  I can diagram the logic, wiring it, less so.

But, color me hugely impressed with using the motion sensor.

Wow.  That is pretty wild.  

Added an Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor inside the console. This will detect any sudden change in heat radiation (Infrared) due to movement of people in its vicinity.

Bought some felt and dyed it grey, then added strips around the front edge of the console.

Drilled holes through the 5 mm Perspex front panel to allow IR to reach the sensor. A portion of the metal front panel was used for a kick-board to protect the Perspex.

The PIR, upon sensing movement, will light up the wiring diorama. The light will stay on until either the PIR senses no movement for 10 seconds, or someone has turned on the display via its control panel.

LED strip surrounding inside edge of front panel. 

PeterPan

Thanks Bish.

Using low pressure airbrushing...that sounds like a great idea.

 

Bish

...Those swing gates, would they have come up to block the ends of the road when the bridge was open.

 

 

The gates get closed across the road when the road traffic lights have already turned red, traffic has stopped, and no pedestrians are between the two sets of gates; and deemed safe to do so by the bridge operator. After the gates have been closed, the span gets unlocked, etc.

The same in reverse. After the span is docked and locked into the bridge, the gates are opened again and traffic lights turn back to green (until all traffic is flowing and then the operator switches the traffic lights off).

 

 

Thanks Peter. I was thinking maybe those gates came up to block the road as the bridge lifted. But what you say makes perfect sense.

  Thanks Bakster for funny quid pro quo, and compliment.