Wiring Model Power Signal

[Anonymous]

I bought a Model Power #8574 crossing signal set and I can't figure out how to wire it. It has 2 signals wired together with a switch. It has 2 black leads and one brown lead. I haven't been able to find the right combination and there are no instructions in the box. Obviously I am a wiring dummy - so please help.

Thank you in advance.

papasjournal.com

[cwclark]

I believe you are going to have to purchase an occilating circuit to get the cross buck signals to operate..the black wires are the hot wire for each of the lights and the brown wire is the common for both lights....to wire one up..you go from the power source to an on/off switch (or some type of train detecting circuit that triggers the lights to turn on or off when a train enters and leaves the block)...it then goes to an occilating circuit that make the lights operate..if the lights are LED's you are going to have to put resistors in series on the two hot wires or one on the common..it doesn't matter as long as the circuit has a resistor in it...direct current to an LED will destroy it... go to http://www.mrollins.com/circuit.html and look at the circuit named duel flashing circuit..you will notice output one and output two...each output is only one bulb on each of the crossbuck lights, so each one of the outputs will go to one of each crossbuck while the other output goes to the other two lights..they are easy to build and cost less than $10 for the parts..you can get the parts from digikey, mouser, radio shack, or jameco...Chuck

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. The set includes a 2 way switch that is prewired. No matter how I try to wire it, the on-off switch has no effect. My understanding was that the set should work as-is. Email to Model Power hasn't been answered.

Thanks

[cwclark]

is there a box that contains a circuit?

[cwclark]

I think the 2 way switch just turns the lighs on and off..you'll still need a circuit that make the lights alternate..i'll go and do a search and find out what this thing looks like...be back shortly to see if i can figure it out...

[Anonymous]

The switch has no circuitry - it appears to be an on-off switch, but the lights remain on regardless of the switch setting. I didn't think they would blink - just go on when I flip the switch.

[Anonymous]

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYR26&P=0

This reads like it has the circuitry..

[cwclark]

ok...all they sold you was the lights and the on/ off switch...you are going to have to build or purchase an occillating circuit...(this is my favorite part of the hobby...building circuits!)...go to the website i reffered you to and build the circuit if you want them to flash in an alternating manner...so..from the power pack wire it to an on off switch, then to the occilating circuit...then output one (one black wire from both crossbucks , and output two..the other blackwire from both crossbucks.. the two brown wires will connect to both ends of the other side of output one and output two (all the brown wires will wire to the other ends of both outputs)...

[Anonymous]

Thanks, but way too complicated for me. If it requires soldering - I am out of luck[:)]

I think I'll just snip the wires off and use the signs as decoration.

[cwclark]

I know the unknown can be frightful but, you really need to learn to solder..it's easy...use a 15 watt iron on electonics and a 30 + on the track...the secret is using flux..(it looks like axle grease and comes in a can that resembles a can of shoe polish )..put a dap on the work you want to solder and use thin ROSIN CORE solder...heat up the work and touch the solder to it and wahlaa!...you got it!...it's not that hard and it's going to be a must if you plan to stay with the hobby for years to come...[:D] Chuck

[Anonymous]

Chuck is right! Just go do it. Even if you mess up you'll learn something and probably won't mess up next time.

Good luck!