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I uploaded a video of the newly installed grade crossing lights and gates. The train seems a little jerky at times although it ran smooth went I took it. Maybe it's not running fast enough on youtube. The grade crossing lights and gates look great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2AU5lMQnec
NYC_George
looking good George, works like a charm and adds to your layout. Your city is coming along nicely... Question,,is there any way to slow the gates movement?
Well Trent there is a way to slow them down by turning a Pot that lowers the voltage to the switch machine. The trouble is that I made a change and went from using one tortoise per gate to one for both gates. This system involves using wire cables that adds drag and the low voltage setting doesn’t seem to supply enough power to move the gates all the way up and down. So now I have to use full power and a faster gate speed. I could go back to one tortoise per gate I guess.
I’m also thinking it’s better to take these videos in the day. The camera seems to do better job in natural light. I think that’s why it looks a little jerky.
NYC_George
it looks just fine george I like dim light shots sometimes. it changes things up a little.
As far as the gate I can see how one motor would need more speed to keep things moving smooth. I was only asking because I saw a layout recently with some gates that moved slowly up and down. not sure what mfg they were but it was very cool. Those things take time to set up just right. Whats the next plan?
Trent the next plan is I have another crossing down the tracks a street block away. I know all my mistakes so the next one I’ll have those slow moving gates you like. I’ll change this one back to 2 motors. It’s a good thing I’m retired or I wouldn’t have time for all this.
George
It’s a good thing I’m retired or I wouldn’t have time for all this.
Dang, I knew I had something wrong! I need to find a way to retire early! LOL
That is a fantastic crossing! If I ever get the time (& money) to model one, I hope it turns out half as nice as yours.
excellent work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cool. I subscribed to you, 2005GLI is my youtube name.
Very nice. Try this with the torti's. Rather than using the pot to control the voltage, turn it up some. Then put a resistor in series with the torti to control the voltage. Get a mutli pack and start with 100 ohms. If it runs fast add resistance to maybe 200 and step higher until it is right. Too slow and you reduce the resistance. Put a separate resistor in series with each torti and don't have them share the same one.
Also torti's dont move partially. They are stall motors and will run until they stop mechanically, so there's something else preventing the gates from moving all the way.
George, you should use one Tortoise for each gate, especially gates that large. You can sometime get away with it using the modern NJ Internation gates but not those big old pneumatic jobs. With a motor on each gate, you should be able to use the pot to adjust the gate speed. The gates should come back up to almost vertical as well, so something is stopping them too soon. Good looking crossing flashers and gates though.
Just to let everyone know I went back to one motor per crossing gate today. I just got one done and the gate works just like the real one’s, up and down slowly. I’ll get the other one done and shoot a new video.
NYC_George
Dang George, I really like it!
I've planned on doing that for ages. Hopefully......someday around the corner.
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