Making Crossing Signals Activate

[JoeMascitti]

I have purchased a couple of flashing crossing signals from Model Power, is there any way to make them activate when a train passes a certain point, then shut off when the train has passed the crossing?....thinking some kind of magnet switch may be required?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Joe

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[bman36]

Hi Joe,
I have been looking at getting a set myself. It's a little hard to tell without seeing how they are wired. Yes, using simple magnetic switches such as those found on home alarm systems, you could wire them into the light circuit. Place the switches on the track, one on each side of the grade crossing and on opposite sides of one another. Align a magnet under your loco with the first switch and align a magnet under the caboose with the second switch. Make sense? This would cause the loco to turn on the lights and the caboose to shut them off. How do you find the quality? Were they worth the money? I know they are not that expensive but I don't like buying junk either. Hope this helps. Later eh...Brian.

[JoeMascitti]

Brian...The ones I got are not bad, they seem to flash pretty well, I got both to fla***ogether...they come with a simple slide switch....your ideas makes sense...when do you recommend picking up the alarm switches

Thanks

Joe

[bman36]

Hey Joe,
What I described will only work for the train passing by in one direction. Getting it to work in either direction would require a little more thought. I used to install alarms many moons ago. The brand of switches we used were made by Ademco. They were very reliable and should be available at larger electronics stores. Do you have a Radio Shack where you live? They should have switches as well for home alarms. If not hit the yellow pages under "Alarm Systems". Sounds to me like they are wired in parallel with one unit controlling the flashing. Let us know if you have more questions. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Brian, they also use simular switches on washing machine doors and lids. Just another source you can try.

[Anonymous]

Joe, Kurtz Kraft makes some inwxpensive controls for your purpose. I have some for gates and/or crossoing lights. He does have a web page. John

[JoeMascitti]

Hey John Thanks!

What was the name of that web site...the washing machine magnet switch sounds like a good idea as well....

Joe

[JoeMascitti]

Hey John, I found his web site.

It is http://home.att.net/~kurtz-kraft/products.html. It looks very inexpensive, I will give him a call tomorrow and see what he recommends. It also shows that he has crossing signals as well...I will keep everyone informed of the outcome..

Joe

[Anonymous]

I wasn't sure about posting web addresses here. His little goodies woek well, I used hia auto reverse for a long time with no problems. You can find reed switches top operate those systems at Digi-Key and several other electronic suppliers, Have fun, John

[JoeMascitti]

Hey Everyone....Kurtz-Kraft was the answer....thanks John....He made a special circuit board for my application....With a couple of magnetic reed switched, the crossing signals activate automatically when the train approaches and shut off as the train passes....very cheap pricing....check out his web site....

Joe

[bman36]

Hey Joe,
Glad to see it worked out for ya'. I think I'll order a set myself and try em' out. Need some animation on my indoor layout. Have some crazy ideas for where the train runs through the bathroom in the basement. Love to surprise my guests. Later eh...Brian.
[:-^]

[skippygp123]

I'm new to this forum but have been checking out the posts.  Could you tell me exactly how you wired up the switches and exactly what type/kind of switches you bought?  Also, do you have any problems leaving the signals outside or with rain/weather, etc. ruining the contacts or electrical parts? 

[rpc7271]

Making road crossing flashers work properly shouldn't be much of a problem. They have been doing it in Ho for years. Several manufactures make circuit boarde just for that. They can be activated in several ways. Do a search on the Model Railroader page for info.

[Eriediamond]

Pardon my  intrusion here, but why go through all the trouble of magnetic switches. Why not use infra-red sensors placed diagonally across the tracks at crossings. Any train will then activate the signals. Also a stray squirel, cat or opposum. Photo cells work also, but then at night the signals work when no train is present. These sensors and control boards are listed in Walthers catalog. Ken