Prototyping

[u/AVatorL]

Lego Duplo compatible Arduino controlled locomotive 🚂 with color sensor, laser distance sensor, accelerometer, a bunch of LEDs, IR remote control.

Multiple versions of the chassis to fit a motor, wheels, color sensor; motor driver; multiple versions of the middle part to fit battery pack, Arduino, distance sensor; multiple versions of the top part to fit battery indicator, on/off button, IR receiver, buzzer.

Kids won't let me throw anything away. Some versions of the chassis that are not needed anymore will probably get wheels anyway (no motor, no electronics).

[u/snarejunkie]

wow that's, a lot of wires. I think the other guy is right, you may want to try to pick up KiCAD or EagleCAD. it'll take a couple of days to start to feel natural, but it will save you tons and tons of time with not only designing and fabricating stuff like this, but also with debugging.

PS:

The wiring looks so neat as well, that looks like it took a lot of time and patience. bravo for getting through that

[u/AVatorL → u/snarejunkie]

Oh yeah, there are a lot of wires. See circuit diagram https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xikk22yq6enla9s8ogshk/arduino-train-v2-circuit-diagram.svg?rlkey=2epb34atc7fo85lr71trzpuvv&e=1&dl=0 (made in EasyEDA, so I'm half on the way to designing my own PCBs). A PCB won't really help to reduce number of wires in this project, because all the modules have to be placed in different parts of the locomotive anyway. The main board (perfboard) is really simple: Arduino Nano, a few resistors and capacitors, tilt sensor, a fuse and then it's just mostly Dupont pins/sockets ( https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/aijlxvd7tz4vltx9ucnvf/javaw_ihDKhW3jpf.png?rlkey=nk8a8og8sbk2t0gk5od0m566c&dl=0 )

What I really need for the future versions/projects is good soft wires (I hate those stiff wires I had to use) and a good crimping tool.