I am new to the hobby so I will start with that. I am trying to control a set of Lionel automatic crossing gates using an insulated rail and a dpdt relay. I can not seem to make it work at all yet. Is there anyone that can give me suggestions for resources or how to do this correctly.
Using relays to control crossing gates.
- Thread starter Hammer53
- Start date
Hello Hammer53,
Do you know the model number of the Lionel gates? I found a few different ones at
http://www.lionel.com/Products/ProductFinder/ and entered 'crossing gate' in the search box.
Do you have a wiring diagram that came with the gates? It looks like you can download product instructions once you find individual items in the search results.
JohnP
Do you know the model number of the Lionel gates? I found a few different ones at
http://www.lionel.com/Products/ProductFinder/ and entered 'crossing gate' in the search box.
Do you have a wiring diagram that came with the gates? It looks like you can download product instructions once you find individual items in the search results.
JohnP
Dub
Lionel 3 Rail
Hammer53,
I've modified Lionel's wiring diagram to show what I think you're looking for. Their diagram shows how to wire their gates to the Lionel IR detectors. I've taken out the IR detectors, and now the relay will come on when a train is in the isolated block.
I'm not 100% sure how Lionel labels the connections on their transformers... I'm more familiar with Flyer.
If you don't want to bother with the separate diode bridge and relay, there's a relay with diode bridge and screw terminals at http://www.mrmatix.com/track-power-relay.html
I've modified Lionel's wiring diagram to show what I think you're looking for. Their diagram shows how to wire their gates to the Lionel IR detectors. I've taken out the IR detectors, and now the relay will come on when a train is in the isolated block.
I'm not 100% sure how Lionel labels the connections on their transformers... I'm more familiar with Flyer.
If you don't want to bother with the separate diode bridge and relay, there's a relay with diode bridge and screw terminals at http://www.mrmatix.com/track-power-relay.html
How does this work?
Sorry to resurrect an old post (and thanks to John for the diagram), but can someone explain how this works? I assume COM is common? When the train wheels are not present, the isolated rail is floating. When the train wheels are present, the isolated rail is shorted with COM. This somehow activates the relay?
Anyone have a good understanding of how this works? I'm curious.
Thanks for humoring a new guy :^)
Sorry to resurrect an old post (and thanks to John for the diagram), but can someone explain how this works? I assume COM is common? When the train wheels are not present, the isolated rail is floating. When the train wheels are present, the isolated rail is shorted with COM. This somehow activates the relay?
Anyone have a good understanding of how this works? I'm curious.
Thanks for humoring a new guy :^)
Greetings greggma,
Yes, the transformer has two voltage outputs that both use 'COM' as their common return. 'Track' is a variable AC voltage, 'Accy' is a fixed AC voltage typically around 16v.
The Accy transformer output is connected to one side of the relay coil (through a rectifier bridge in this case because the relay is designed for DC voltage, not AC). The other side of the coil is connected to the 'floating' rail. Train wheels will connect the floating rail to 'COM' which then completes the circuit, energizing the relay, which in turn activates the crossing signals.
BTW, the link to the all-in-one relay with rectifier bridge is now
http://www.azatrax.com/track-power-relay.html
Hope that helps,
JohnP
Yes, the transformer has two voltage outputs that both use 'COM' as their common return. 'Track' is a variable AC voltage, 'Accy' is a fixed AC voltage typically around 16v.
The Accy transformer output is connected to one side of the relay coil (through a rectifier bridge in this case because the relay is designed for DC voltage, not AC). The other side of the coil is connected to the 'floating' rail. Train wheels will connect the floating rail to 'COM' which then completes the circuit, energizing the relay, which in turn activates the crossing signals.
BTW, the link to the all-in-one relay with rectifier bridge is now
http://www.azatrax.com/track-power-relay.html
Hope that helps,
JohnP
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