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How do I wire in current type detectors on a DC Cab control layout?
How do I wire in current type detectors on a DC Cab control layout?
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Alantrains
Member since
January 2003
From: Brisbane Australia
568 posts
How do I wire in current type detectors on a DC Cab control layout?
Posted by
Alantrains
on Thursday, February 5, 2004 6:00 AM
I have a DC layout wired for 2 cab control using common rail return and manual switches with centre off. I have used Twin T and optimised detectors before but I'm not sure how to wire them in to each block and not have them interfere with each other. (I have about 10 blocks on a 10ft by 6 ft layout).
Both these detectors need a bleed or bias resistor to detect trains when the block is no under either cabs control.
thanks
Alan Jones
Alan Jones
in Sunny
Queensland (Oz)
Reply
nfmisso
Member since
December 2001
From: San Jose, California
3,154 posts
Posted by
nfmisso
on Thursday, February 5, 2004 8:04 AM
Alan;
You need to provide some power to the block at all times for current type detectors to work. The detectors are looking for a voltage drop across the sense resistor, no current, no voltage drop.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
Reply
Alantrains
Member since
January 2003
From: Brisbane Australia
568 posts
Posted by
Alantrains
on Thursday, February 5, 2004 8:56 PM
Thanks Nigel,
If I wire the detectors into the feed to the track from the cab selector switch, where do I put the resistor to allow some current to flow? I assume the resistor is a high value so the train doesnt move.
Alan Jones
in Sunny
Queensland (Oz)
Reply
nfmisso
Member since
December 2001
From: San Jose, California
3,154 posts
Posted by
nfmisso
on Friday, February 6, 2004 5:19 AM
Alan;
It would be MUCH easier and less expensive to go with DCC - still using the detectors you have.
The sense resistor is in the detector.
With DC, you could put high frequency AC on all the track at all times, which would give you the power....but this is not the easiest thing to do either. Putting a low level of DC on the track at all times is not particularily good or easy either.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
Reply
Alantrains
Member since
January 2003
From: Brisbane Australia
568 posts
Posted by
Alantrains
on Friday, February 13, 2004 5:28 AM
Thanks again Nigel
Alan Jones
in Sunny
Queensland (Oz)
Reply
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