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I bought 2 grade crossing light circuit boards years ago to early to take Jim’s advice on Logicrailtech. The boards aren’t even the same brand. One is an optical detector the other a flasher. I just started to install lights and gates to my newly built city. It took about a dozen alligator clips and 3 hours to figure it all out, but it does work. I tried to take a photo with the lights working but the camera just isn’t fast enough to catch just one set of lights on. You’ll be able to see gates and all work in my new video.
Sorry it's not optical. It's a Berkshire Junction infrared train dector & activator and a Circutron FL-2 flasher. I'm doing two tracks and I think I have it all figured out but I could be wrong. I'll know when I start running trains through it.
George, you said gates. I don't see any gates or gate motors. Glad you got that rats nest figured out for the detectors and flasher though. I'll be amazed if you can properly detect trains on two tracks with one detector though.
Jim no gates yet their coming. The inferred beam is good for 8 inches so that should work for the 2 tracks. If either beam is blocked either coming or going, on 1 or 2 tracks, the lights will start blinking. When the beam is not blocked the lights shut off. I ‘m probably missing something hear so if you know tell me. I’ll give it a trail run tomorrow. If I all ready didn’t own the boards I would have bought what you suggested.
George, where are the IR detectors mounted? If they are between the rails, I can't see how you can have enough inputs for eight sets of IR detectors on one board. If they are mounted next to the track, the IR should only have a beam in one direction. You usally need four detectors, to handle trains in both directions, on a single track. If you have the detectors mounted next to the track and are only using two detectors per track, you'll soon find out why that doesn't work reliably. Think about this issue of one train on track. As soon as the engine passes the first IR detector, the signals will be activated. As long as the signal is interrupted for some set period of time by the second IR detector, the flashers will continue to operate until there's no signal from the second IR detector. Now think about a second train that is shorter than the first if you are only using two IR detectors per track. The last IR detector will no longer pick up the interrupted signal as the train goes by but the longer train on the other track will still be activating the IR interrupts. How will the controller know if it's time to shut off the signals? You need to have two controllers cascaded together for the logic to work.
Jim I already have a problem. I hooked up an inferred pair across the 2 tracks coupler high and ran a coal train through. At coupler height the inferred beam isn’t high enough to have it blocked by the coal car body so the crossing lights turn on and off as each car passes. If I move it up above coupler height the space in between the cars causes the system to start and stop. Across the tracks inferred doesn’t work. You said they make and inferred that goes under the tracks. I’m not sure how that would work? Your right about needing more detectors though. I understand now.
George, most infrared detectors are installed between the rails so the passing cars cover the beam, with only a slight break between cars. You need an additional IR detector a little further down the line, so that the probability is low that both will be uncovered at the same time, and thus keep the flashers on. You can mount the IR detectors on the side of the track, at low car body height, but you still need at least two in each direction to stop the on and off action you're seeing. The between track detectors are small and you just drill a small hole between the ties and insert the detector. The ones mounted by the side of the track will work but they are hard to disguise and just don't look very good.
I don't know what kind of logic board you're using. Some will allow you to adjust the detection interval so a half-second of the IR detector being exposed won't trigger the off circuit. Check the directions and board and see if there's a pot you can adjust. That will help some, but you really do need to have at least four detectors per track for reliable operation.
Logic Rail boards make it easy to both install the detectors between the tracks and cascade two boards together, so you get correct operation with a double track crossing. I hate to say it, but you might have a lot less frustration getting a pair of Logic Rail boards. They also contain the flasher circuit and a gate circuit, so it's all you'll need, except for a gate motor, to operate a pair of crossing signals and gates
Jim I just ordered 2 Logicrail GCP-IR’s. I see they solved the problem I’m having. With their board when the train hits the first detector the lights stay on no matter what and you have 35 seconds to reach the 2nd detector for them to continue to stay on through the crossing. The IR model is $55.00, the Photo Cell $43.00. That’s everything you need in one board. No rats nest like I had going with all the wires.
I chose the Walther’s type gates because their long enough to span the double roadway. The NJ International gates are too short. My gates are on order from Walther’s.
I think it's a good move, George, compared to trying make what you have work. The guys at Logic rail really thought the circuit through. The 35 second on cycle handles a situation where you are between detectors and making a set out move, but still blocking the crossing. I really like their products, and I think you will too.
