I was wondering if anyone knows of a traffic light controller that can power 4 traffic lights and crosswalk lights. I have tried using the walthers traffic light controller and just using the ports to power two lights and the crosswalk light but it does not have enough output to do it.
ShanikoI was wondering if anyone knows of a traffic light controller that can power 4 traffic lights and crosswalk lights.
I believe even typical automotive relays "free for the taking" in wrecking yards would be suitable: use the output from the Walthers controller to drive the coil, and provide any desired size of DC powerpack 'hot' fanout to the contacts -- these relays are rated at far more contact amps than a whole scale Christmas-lights display would likely draw, so there need be little restraint on nominal amp rating of whatever power supply you use. All the return sides from the driven 'functions' can be wired in common back to the other wire of the power supply; they won't need switched contacts except in very special circumstances.
ShanikoI was wondering if anyone knows of a traffic light controller that can power 4 traffic lights and crosswalk lights. I have tried using the walthers traffic light controller and just using the ports to power two lights and the crosswalk light but it does not have enough output to do it.
Welcome to the forum! Your first posts are moderated and may not appear immediately, but after you post several times that will clear up.
If you want to work with building some of the light system, here is a ciruit board with instructions on how to make it work:
http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/ins/800-5820ins.pdf
I also know there are several companies that make ready-to-install lights with the controls.
I don't know how involved you want to be, but if you want to learn some things, Arduino is an easy-to-learn system to put electronics to work.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
York1 John
How deep is your electronic background? You could use a driver chip to drive up to a half amp. I use a TD62304AP driver chip to drive 100ma incandescent bulbs on my layout.
Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Aging is not for wimps.
Some years ago, I bought a Walthers traffic light controller to control Walthers traffic signals. I ended up controlling one 4-way intersection and 2 3-way intersections, for a total of 10 faces of lights. This has all worked perfectly for years. I believe the Walthers controller is rated to control "two intersections."
I don't know the specs on the lights for the Walthers traffic signals. They are quite small, but I don't even know if they're LEDs or tiny incandescent bulbs. As I recall, these signals became unavailable for a period and then returned.
I did try a circuit from some Brand X mail order company. The circuit worked, but I discovered it was the opposite polarity from the Walthers controller. Since the signals have one common wire and three wires for the RYG signals, they were incompatible. That's one thing to watch for.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hands down, the best bang for the buck. Will also control crosswalk lighting and integrated railway crossing lights ....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262384217145
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Thanks for the link Mark!!!!Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Aging is not for wimps.
These guys make a traffic light circuit that will control 4 way traffic lights.
https://eastcoastcircuits.com/Circuits
There's a video on their site as well, if that helps.
Neal
Mark R.Hands down, the best bang for the buck.
Overmod Mark R. Hands down, the best bang for the buck. And for under $10 more they will sell you a 650W version to use with full-scale traffic lights!
Mark R. Hands down, the best bang for the buck.
And for under $10 more they will sell you a 650W version to use with full-scale traffic lights!
So was it first used, er tested, in a real traffic light before they stole, er borrowed, it to sell on ebay for under $10?
SHane
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An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Thanks for the idea but unfortunately it won't run enough lights to work. I asked them and it simply does not have enough connections.
thanks for the help but according to the instructions on the website it will only power 4 traffic lights and does not include powering crosswalk lights as well.
My tech skills are a bit limited. I prefer something as off the shelf as possible.
Thanks for all the ideas but so far all I can find is a product from Mafen and it's not Available with no expected date.
NVSRRSo was it first used, er tested, in a real traffic light before they stole, er borrowed, it to sell on ebay for under $10?
(An interesting comment from the latter:)
http://www.galakelectronics.com/buyer_beware.htm
Both their model and 'full size' controllers appear to be new production, with the larger version having uprated components and other board changes to handle the higher voltage and wattages.
My understanding is that the larger board isn't intended to be a "real" traffic-light controller, ruggedized for long-term service in 'the field'; it's for collectors with historic lights or heads who want to make them light prototypically. Much the same as guys who own signals or wigwags might want to make them operate 'for show'.
I have not seen a price for the model-railroad board 'new' lower than $16 and change. Used, if you can find them, would be less.
I’m a bit confused, the Galak Electronics Controller will handle 800ma. That’s enough current to drive many many LEDs and at 100ma per bulb that’s 8 bulbs.Figuring four bulbs on per phase per intersection would be two intersections using 100ma bulbs. Using LEDs at max LED current would be 10 intersections.I never run LEDs at max current seldom over half, at 10ma per LED the Controller would power 20 intersections. From the Galak Electronics site.
EDIT:
The only thing missing are turn arrows.