Tip: - Control of the Märklin Portal Crane using TrainController TCG 8.0E2 Date: Created

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Natalie Payne
6 years ago
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Hi All, I was fortunate to have been able to borrow the 76500 Märklin Portal Crane from my friend Greg so I could configure it to run using TrainController.

Note: - As there is no feedback from the Märklin 76500 Portal Crane all actions are time based and will be subject to time variations caused by temperature change, power

1 Hi All, I was fortunate to have been able to borrow the Märklin Portal Crane from my friend Greg so I could configure it to run using TrainController. This document covers the important points required to successfully run it using macros embedded as function buttons in a Train Window. Note: - As there is no feedback from the Märklin Portal Crane all actions are time based and will be subject to time variations caused by temperature change, power supply variations, wear and tear etc. Systems Tested: - ESU ECoS Portal Crane Control Demonstration Time Duration: - x:xx min. Video on YouTube (Delayed until early 2015) 1

2 Testing the Portal Crane for the First Time Having read the Portal Crane Manual, make sure you assemble the Crane Gantry and Crane Cabin as the manual suggests so you avoid damaging the fine electrical contacts. I used the default address 73 for the Magnet/Light, Cabin Traverse, Rotate and Hook. For each operation you will have to define the following functions on the ECoS or CS2. F0 = Magnet/Light On/Off F1 = Cabin Traverse F2 = not used (see notes on page 6 for use) F3 = Hook Select F4 = Rotate Select Default address 74 is for the Crane Gantry and no functions have to be defined on the ECoS or CS2. Try controlling the Portal Crane from the ECoS or CS2 to get a feel for how the crane operates. Portal Crane Default Directions Backward Forward 2

Fine Tuning the Portal Crane for Traction The first thing I discovered is if the Crane Cabin traverses to either end of the Gantry until it stops by a magnet located at each end,

The Crane Cabin weighs approximately 512 grams and the Cabin can traverse past the centre of the Gantry supports (orange line) which then lifts the Gantry drive wheels at the

(my scales only measures 2gm increments) I slid the weight in to the Gantry structure as shown. The left hand side required two stacks of weight.

3 Fine Tuning the Portal Crane for Traction The first thing I discovered is if the Crane Cabin traverses to either end of the Gantry until it stops by a magnet located at each end, the Crane Gantry looses traction on the base tracks. The Crane Cabin weighs approximately 512 grams and the Cabin can traverse past the centre of the Gantry supports (orange line) which then lifts the Gantry drive wheels at the opposite end away from the base track causing a loss of traction. Adding Weight to Maintain Traction I cut 1.5mm thick lead sheet into rectangles 50 x 33 x 1.5mm. For each weight this worked out to be 25-26gm. (my scales only measures 2gm increments) I slid the weight in to the Gantry structure as shown. The left hand side required two stacks of weight. Left = 7 weights Right = 11 weights Total Weight = 468gm The right hand side required one stack of weight. Right = 5 weights Total Weight = 130gm Caution:- Weight should only be added until you get good traction for your crane. Try and keep the weight to a minimum. 3

4 Portal Crane Control Using TrainController The diagram above shows the four TrainController Windows required for the Portal Crane. Cabin (73) F0 = Magnet/Light Off and Magnet/Light On F1= Cabin Traverse Off and Cabin Traverse On The Cabin can be operated Left and Right Only with F1 On F3 = Hook Select Off and Hook On The Hook can be operated Down and Up Only with F3 On F4 = Cabin Rotate Select Off and Cabin Rotate Select On The Cabin can be rotated CCW and CW Only with F4 On All Functions Off macro Magnet/Light Timer macro. Please use this whenever you want the magnet on as the timer is used to protect the magnet from heating up and causing permanent damage. Cabin Rotate CW 180 deg. macro Cabin Rotate CCW 180 deg. macro Cabin Rotate CW 90 deg. macro Cabin Rotate CCW 90 deg. macro 4

5 Cabin (73) continued Cabin Traverse Left 140mm macro Cabin Traverse Left 70mm macro Cabin Traverse Left 35mm macro Cabin Traverse Right 140mm macro Cabin Traverse Right 70mm macro Cabin Traverse Right 35mm macro Hook Down Short Duration macro Hook Up Short Duration macro Hook Down Long Duration macro Hook Up Long Duration macro Slew macro = Cabin Left and Gantry Forward for a timed duration. Slew macro = Cabin Left and Gantry Backward for a timed duration. Slew macro = Cabin Right and Gantry Forward for a timed duration. Slew macro = Cabin Right and Gantry Backward for a timed duration. Power Off and Power On The toggle switch controls a k84 relay which turns Off/On the power supply to the Portal Crane. Gantry Traverse Left Full 200mm macro Gantry Traverse Right Full 200mm macro Gantry Traverse Left 100mm macro Gantry Traverse Right 100mm macro 5

6 Gantry (74) Gantry Traverse Left Full 200mm macro Gantry Traverse Right Full 200mm macro Gantry Traverse Left 100mm macro Gantry Traverse Right 100mm macro All Functions Off excluding the Magnet/Light macro The Gantry can only be operated Backward and Forward Slew Operations Gantry Slew A In the Gantry Slew A Window the Cabin can be operated Right In the Gantry Slew A Window the Cabin can be operated Left Gantry Slew B In the Gantry Slew B Window the Cabin can be operated Left In the Gantry Slew B Window the Cabin can be operated Right and Gantry Forward and Gantry Backward. and Gantry Forward. and Gantry Backward. Note: - For All Slew operations the Cabin Traverse function must be On F1 = Cabin Traverse Off and Cabin Traverse On can be selected from the Slew A and Slew B Train Window All Functions Off excluding the Magnet/Light macro Portal Crane Differences Default Address for Crane Cabin is 71 Default Address for Crane Gantry is 72 The Magnet and Cabin light operation have been separated. F0 operates the Magnet/Clam Shell Bucket F2 operates the Cabin/Work Light. If you have the crane you will have to make small modifications to the provided files to enable it to work. General Advice The power pickups are very sensitive to dust and dirt. Cover the crane when not in use. Cleaning of the running rails and power pickups should be done when you experience poor or jerky running. 6

I wired two pushbuttons to spare s88 contacts that I had, switching to Ground. I rotated the Cabin to set the threshold speed.

I pushed the pushbutton that was at the boom end, the crane run-out ran a little further then the crane reversed after 4 seconds, as it became parallel to the Gantry bridge I pushed the same

7 Engine Profile for the Portal Crane I did two engine speed profiles. The first was the Cabin Rotation and the second was the Gantry Traverse. The Profile block has a comment for the lengths used. Profile Method Cabin Rotation I profiled the Portal Crane Cabin Rotation to get a threshold speed and speed profile using the following procedure. I wired two pushbuttons to spare s88 contacts that I had, switching to Ground. I rotated the Cabin to set the threshold speed. Then with a pushbutton in each hand I started the profiling using momentary contacts as the Cabin is rotated 180 deg. I pushed the pushbutton that was at the boom end, the crane run-out ran a little further then the crane reversed after 4 seconds, as it became parallel to the Gantry bridge I pushed the same pushbutton again then waited for it to rotate 180 deg and pushed the other button that was at the boom end and repeated the process for all speed steps. Profile Method Gantry Traverse I profiled the Portal Crane Gantry Traverse to get a threshold speed and a speed profile using the following procedure. I wired two pushbuttons to spare s88 contacts that I had, switching to Ground. I set the threshold speed by noting the minimum decoder speed step. Then with a pushbutton in each hand I started the profiling using momentary contacts as the Gantry traversed 20cm. I pushed the pushbutton that was at the right end stop, the Gantry run-out was set to a small value as it couldn t run any further then the Gantry reversed after 4 seconds, as it hit the left end stop I pushed the same pushbutton again then waited for it to run out and pushed the other button that was at the right end stop and repeated the process for all speed steps. Using my Portal Crane profile should be fine for testing your Portal Crane. 7

8 Blocks, Flagman and Switches The Portal Crane has five motors. Cabin Traverse for Right and Left movement. controlled by variable speed control Cabin Rotation for 360 degree CW and CCW controlled by variable speed control Cabin Hook Up and Down controlled by variable speed control Gantry Traverse for Forward and Backward movement (2 motors) controlled by variable speed control The (73) Portal Crane Cabin block is required to control the Portal Crane Cabin functions for the Magnet/Light, Cabin Traverse, Hook and Rotation. All Diorama macros are directed to this block. All movement for the Portal Crane can be controlled from this block The (74) Portal Crane Gantry block is required to control the Portal Crane Gantry Traverse macros. The (74) PC Gantry A Slew block is required to control the Portal Crane Gantry Traverse and Cabin Traverse in a combined slew movement. Both the Cabin and Gantry can move Forward or Backward. The (74) PC Gantry B Slew block is required to control the Portal Crane Gantry Traverse and Cabin Traverse in a combined slew movement. The Cabin moves in the opposite direction to the Gantry controlled by the Forward or Backward commands. The combination of (74) PC Gantry A Slew block and (74) PC Gantry B Slew block provides the four possible movements as a slewing operation for the Portal Crane. The Profile block provides the lengths required to profile the Portal Crane. (See page 7) All Switches and Flags are assigned to their respective blocks except for PWR Off/On and Macro Link 8

Blocks, Flagman, Engines and Train Sets Slew A (74) PC Gantry A Slew train set is made up of two engines (74) PC Gantry A Slew and (73) PC Trolley A each is defined with the connection as shown in (

9 Blocks, Flagman, Engines and Train Sets Slew A (74) PC Gantry A Slew train set is made up of two engines (74) PC Gantry A Slew and (73) PC Trolley A each is defined with the connection as shown in ( ) The (74) PC Gantry A Slew train set is associated in the block (74) PC Gantry A Slew Slew B (74) PC Gantry B Slew train set is made up of two engines (74) PC Gantry B Slew and (73) PC Trolley B each is defined with the connection as shown in ( ) The (74) PC Gantry B Slew train set is associated in the block (74) PC Gantry B Slew Note that (73) PC Trolley B has had the Toggle Direction button used on it. This setup provides four different slewing movements for the Gantry and Cabin of the Portal Crane. All Train Sets and Engines are associated to the right hand side of the respective blocks. 9

10 Engine Functions Cabin (73) All functions for the Portal Crane can be controlled from the (73) Portal Crane Cabin engine. You will notice some functions are decoder function On/Off Switches and List commands. As the database rms_8e2_portal_crane_ yrrg is supplied, have a discovery tour to see how things are setup. 10

11 Engine Functions Gantry (74) The only functions for the Gantry are List functions to control the Traverse distance. Engine Functions (74) PC Gantry A Slew You will notice some functions are decoder function On/Off Switches, Hidden and List commands. Note: - For functions F0,F1,F3 and F4 the Alt.Address 73 has been assigned. 11

Macros I have provided 31 macros to help provide a base structure to control the Portal Crane.

12 Engine Functions (74) PC Gantry B Slew You will notice some functions are decoder function On/Off Switches, Hidden and List commands. Note: - For functions F0,F1,F3 and F4 the Alt.Address 73 has been assigned. Macros I have provided 31 macros to help provide a base structure to control the Portal Crane. See the following pages for a printout of each macro to allow you to create the required macros for your layout.yrrg 12

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20 The supplied file portal_crane_files.zip contains the following files rms_8e2_portal_crane_ yrrg rms_portal_crane.yrl 76500_cabin.yra 76500_gantry.yra fx_1.yra rms_arrows.yrf Portal_crane_defaults.bmp Portalkran_87dfe3b713.bmp (Loco icon for the ECoS Command Station) Portalkran_902aace727.bmp (Loco icon for the ECoS Command Station) Warning: - All files have been created using version TCG 8.0E2 Testing your Märklin Portal Crane is done at your own risk. Installing Portal Crane Files To have a look at the Märklin Portal Crane operating, unzip portal_crane_files.zip and do the following. 1) Place rms_8e2_portal_crane_ yrrg under the TrainController directory. 2) Make a directory called function_items under the TrainAnimator directory and place 76500_cabin.yra, 76500_gantry.yra, fx_1.yra, Portal_crane_defaults.bmp and rms_arrows.yrf under the function_items directory. 3) Place rms_portal_crane.yrl under TrainController\Locomotive Data directory. Portal Crane Control Testing a. Start TrainController and select your digital system. The rms_8e2_portal_crane_ yrrg file was created using an ECoS. b. Go into Edit Mode, Under the Train Window in the Slew Operations area you will find a small square.click on it and browse to correct the path to Function_items directory and select the Portal_crane_defaults.bmp c. For each engine under the General Tab add the correct graphic from Function Items directory then under Connection Tab check the address matches your Portal Crane address (default # 73) for the Cabin, (default # 74) for the Gantry make all changes required and you are now nearly ready to start testing. d. Import the rms_arrows.yrf from the Function Items directory and fix the symbols e. Control you Portal Crane manually from your digital controller and confirm the directions for the Portal Crane match the default directions on page 2 4) Ensure all engines and Trains are assigned to the correct Blocks. 20

21 5) Click the function button in the Cabin Train Window, the magnet/light will turn on. Caution: - make sure you turn it off. 6) Click the function button in the Cabin Train Window to test the Cabin Traverse Left and Right. 7) Click the function button in the Cabin Train Window to test the Hook moves Up and Down. 8) Click the function button in the Cabin Train Window to test the Cabin Rotates CW and CCW 9) Click the function button in the Cabin Train Window, ensure all functions are turned off as shown. 10) Ensure the Portal Crane is positioned in the middle for the Cabin Traverse and the Gantry Traverse. See default graphic under the Train Window in the Slew Operations area. 11) The blue macro icons shown contain macros where the action required is first selected then the crane is controlled for a period of time. Make sure you are successful with Jog 35, Jog 70, Jog 140 Left and Right. On the Gantry the structure is divided into approximate 35mm divisions so it is a good visual indicator how far the Cabin has traversed. a) If you notice the Portal Crane overruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and shorten the time duration. b) If the Portal Crane underruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and lengthen the time duration. 12) The blue macro icons shown contain macros where the action required is first selected then the crane is controlled for a period of time. Make sure you are successful with points 4-9 before you start using the blue rotate Cabin icons and wait until the action is complete before selecting the next action. a) If you notice the Portal Crane overruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and shorten the time duration. b) If the Portal Crane underruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and lengthen the time duration. 21

22 13) The blue macro icons shown contain macros where the action required is first selected then the crane is controlled for a period of time. Make sure you are successful with the Gantry Traverse 100, Full, Backward and Forward. a) If you notice the Portal Crane overruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and shorten the time duration. b) If the Portal Crane underruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and lengthen the time duration. 14) The blue macro icons shown contain macros where the action required is first selected then the crane is controlled for a period of time. Make sure you are successful with the Hook Short, Long, Up and Down. The Short duration is for loading and unloading containers from a train. The Long duration is for loading and unloading containers from ground level. a) If you notice the Portal Crane overruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and shorten the time duration. b) If the Portal Crane underruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and lengthen the time duration. 15) The Slew icons are very complex and should only be tested once you have adjusted all the times in the macros shown for points which must be correct. a) Position the Gantry and Cabin to the centre locations using the Train Window. b) Click the function, the Portal Crane Cabin should slew Left and Gantry will move Forward. c) If you notice the Portal Crane overruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and shorten the time duration. d) If the Portal Crane underruns any action, edit the appropriate macro (listed below) and lengthen the time duration. e) Repeat this process for all slew macros using the correct function making sure you position the Cabin and Gantry before you execute the slew macros. 22

23 Testing the Provided Dioramas 16) The Diorama Macro push buttons should ONLY be tested once points 4-15 work really well. Refer to the YouTube video to show you what will happen before trying the Diorama macros. a) Ensure you Portal Crane power is on and can be controlled from the Train windows. b) Position the Portal Crane as shown for the defaults position graphic. 17) The Diorama push buttons 1-2 will only work when the Macro Start/Link Switch is on. a) Once the diorama (1) button is pushed, pause a few seconds then turn the Macro Link switch off and sit back and enjoy the action. b) Once the first diorama (1) is complete, refer to the message window to know when. Switch the Macro Link switch on, push diorama (2) button, pause a few seconds then turn the Macro Link switch off and sit back and enjoy the second diorama. c) Leaving the Macro Link on will execute all macros one after the other. Diorama Operation Advice Warning: - If the operation of either Diorama #1 or #2 fails, switch off the power to the Portal Crane and wait for the macro to complete. Whenever a diorama macro is operational and the Portal Crane Hook is about to be lowered I provide two warning beeps which allows 15 seconds to adjust the position of the Cabin manually. Two additional beeps will sound and the Hook will then be lowered. This helps to overcome the most inconsistent function of rotating the Cabin. 23

24 Bonus Time If you have successfully tested and run the Märklin Portal Crane as listed above and would like to enter the information into your_layout.yrrg you will have completed most of the hard work required. I have outlined some procedures below. Warning: - Copying rms_8e2_portal_crane_ yrrg will take an experienced user 2-3 hours to complete. Because this is an advanced topic the procedures below are an outline only of what you will have to do. TIP: - Copying data from one *.yrrg file to another *.yrrg file To do this process you must start another TrainController (you will have two TrainController s running) and resize both windows so they are side by side. rms_8e2_portal_crane_ yrrg should be open in the left side TrainController and your_layout.yrrg is open in the right TrainController. In the left TrainController window select the items required in a window then hit Ctrl + C to copy items. In the right TrainController LMC (left mouse click) the location you want to place the items and Hit Ctrl + V to paste items. Do another LMC away from any other item in the right TrainController to finally place the items in your_layout.yrr Copy Procedure Outline 1. Create a new Switchboard in your_layout.yrrg named Portal Crane. 2. Import all the Engines contained in rms_portal_crane.yrl (supplied file) into your_layout.yrrg. This provides all icons required and a speed profile for the Portal Crane engines (total 6) so Dr. Railroad won t complain too much. 3. Copy all switchboard switches, Flagmen, text and image. 4. Check all switch properties and make any required changes. 5. Using New Explorer windows copy all macros. 6. Edit the macros and add/correct any missing data. 7. Fix Flagman to required switches and check all properties. 8. Using the Block Editor delete all Flagman and reinsert the required Flagman for all blocks. 9. Edit all the Engines and fix List operations (accessories and macro s). 10. Enjoy controlling your Märklin Portal Crane with ease. As always enjoy your model trains. 24

Please note this is an advanced topic. A Look Under the Hood at the Roco Crane Functions. See Macro Appendix M see Engine Profile

Please note this is an advanced topic. A Look Under the Hood at the Roco Crane Functions. See Macro Appendix M see Engine Profile A Look Under the Hood at the Roco Crane Functions See Macro Appendix M see Engine Profile To find out what each Roco Crane function does, click on any item above that is enclosed in a red box and you will