Pocket Money Projects, PMPs and Kits, PMKs

Revised 4 February 2023

Introduction MERG now has a selection of more than 25 PMPs, available from the kitlocker, designed to serve as a learning excercise for novices to electronics while providing something useful to use on the layout. These are really low cost and allow novices to practice soldering and kit assembly very cheaply while obtaining useful items. The PMPs range from a logic probe at £0.32 to a set of Hall effect (Magnetic) sensors at £3.41. The range includes a variety of train detectors, servo drivers, speed controllers, shuttle controllers, etc. The majority of these are designed to be assembled on small pieces of stripboard and the downloadable instructions cover that process. A few are available with bespoke circuit boards and are listed as Pocket Money Kits, PMKs. In addition members have created bespoke boards for some of the others and may make them available or publish the design outside of the kitlocker.

PMK Listing

PMK1 - Track tester

PMK4 - Simple shuttle controller

PMK4a - Shuttle add on to operate a turnout

PMK7 - DCC train detector, diode drop

PMK10 - Speed controller, variable voltage

PMK15 - Train auto stop

PMK18 - EzyPoints, servo driver

PMK22 - Laser train detector

PMP Listing

PMP2 - LDR train detector

PMP3 - Servo tester

PMP5 - Logic probe

PMP6 - 12 Volt DC supply

PMP8 - Multi purpose flasher

PMP9 - Traffic light controller, 4 way

PMP10 - Speed controller, variable voltage

PMP11 - LED dimmer

PMP12 - Random lighting controller

PMP13 - Lighthouse simulator

PMP14 - DCC decoder test rig

PMP16 - DCC turnout position sensor

PMP17 - Automatic signal controller

PMP19 - Automatic coach lighting

PMP20 - Versatile timer

PMP21 - Dual LED flasher, eg level crossing lights

PMP23 - DCC reverse loop controller

PMP24 - Arc flash generator

PMP25 - Steam sound emulator

PMP26 - Event sequencer

PMP27 - Button operation add on for Servo4 or Ezypoints kits

PMP99 - Hall effect sensor pack

Example Illustrations

Simple Track Tester, Kit PMK1.

This is simple module that contains red and green LEDs to show that voltage is present on the track and its polarity. Used on DCC then both LEDs will light.

Speed Controller, Kit PMP10.

A basic motor speed controller or variable voltage source. An additional reversing switch can be added to use as a DC train controller

DCC decoder test rig, Kit PMP14.

Allows set up and test DCC decoders prior to installation in a locomotive.

EzyPoints, servo driver, Kit PMK18.

This is a driver board to enable use of cheap servo motors to drive model railway accessories such as points, signals, level crossing barriers etc. It provides individual adjustment of the end positions and operating speed.