I've been researching remote camera systems as well & have learned that interference with wireless is indeed a problem if you try to do it with the cheaper units using a 2.4Ghz signal. Since this is the same frequency as your universal remotes, then, no, your video signal won't even make it off the layout.Instead, I'm leaning towards a 2W transmitter using a 5.8Ghz signal. This is what is being used in outdoor RC applications and so should be a breeze in the house, keeping line-of-sight pathways. I'll let you know how it goes...
Those interested in the HF LCD + 2 color camera CCTV system, it's on sale with a coupon for $69.99 ($10 off) during Januray. You should get the coupon on the front page of the January sales flyer if you're pon the HF mailing list. It is likely also available at the store entrance, although not always, you just have to check. There is a "one coupon per customer per day" limit, so if you can come up with extra coupons and need more, go for it
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have a pair of tracks for my subways. They have scenery, but they function as staging. I will probably put a camera down there some day. What I have is an old camcorder with a bad tape transport, but it still works as a camera. I've got an old TV, too, so the cost is zero.
In the meantime, I set up magnetic reed switches between the rails and put magnets on the underside of the subway cars. These light red lights on the panel when the subway trains reach the end of the line. Of course, this does require a magnet on each car that you want to activate lights. In my case, that's simple because I've only got 2 subway trains, and a magnet at each end of them does the job.
If your operation calls for trains with cabeese, you could equip each of those with a magnet which would detect the end of the train.
Miniatronics sells a package of reed switches and magnets for about $10.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Every train that enters my Down staging has to stop and back into a single-ended yard. On the way out it has to reverse the maneuver, cross over to the upgrade main track (LONG reverse move) and then stop, reverse direction and proceed toward the visible world.
I use a very sophisticated stopping circuit - a gap with a diode across it. Once the train stops, I can reset the route as needed before moving the reverse switch and powering the loco to move in the opposite direction. Tracks are sized to allow plenty of end clearance, both at the bumper end and the yard lead end.
Analog DC, of course. Can't get away that easily with DCC. (And now you know why I'm not tempted to switch.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
erosebud What's even better is that it gives me an excuse to go to the nearby Harbor Freight!
What's even better is that it gives me an excuse to go to the nearby Harbor Freight!
Good luck with that! If you find them please let me know!
Dean
30 years 1:1 Canadian Pacific.....now switching in HO
These people have an IR detector
http://www.berkshirejunction.com/
Ron High
As usual, I'm impressed by and indebted to the thoughtful responders. The consensus seems to be building toward TV, and for sound reasons, it seems to me. What's even better is that it gives me an excuse to go to the nearby Harbor Freight! Thanks to one and all for the competent and clear advice.
skagitrailbird Mike, THANKS! I had done a search on the HF web site but it did not show anything.
Mike,
THANKS! I had done a search on the HF web site but it did not show anything.
I'm with you, couldn't find anything remotely similar. It's exactly what I need!
Glad to be of service.
You'll actually be surprised by the quality of the monitor. It's much better than my 5 CRT ones.
One advanatge of using the monitor is that you can set it to automatically switch between the two cameras and adjust the timing so its best for your purposes. There are CCTV monitors that support that or various split screen modes. Or use a switch like Ed does. Otherwise, with a conventional monitor with a single input you'll have to plug and unplug and that won't be any fun.
THANKS! I had done a search on the HF web site but it did not show anything. This looks like just the ticket for my two staging yards in a room adjacent to my train room except for the tiny monitor.
Each of my staging yards are about 5.5' x 13' and have five loop tracks plus three stub tracks. I would want to mount the cameras to give an overall angled overhead view. On a 4.3" diagonal monitor I don't think I would be able to distinguish anything short of a significant disaster. If I can find an inexpensive monitor in the 12" to 15" range I think it would work.
Thanks again for pinpointing the system to me.
mlehmanIt includes the LCD monitor, two color cameras, all cabling and power supply. List is $99.99, they usually sell it at $79.99 and I see the online price right now is $72.99. Coupons can sometimes get it even cheaper.
Wow! Mike sent his post as I was writing mine... $73 for 2 color cameras AND monitor AND power supply! Go for it!
Ed
I'm with Mike on the CCTV camera setup. I have been using and continually upgrading my camera system. As Mike points out, you have a much better idea of what is going on back there by actually seeing the conditions.
I've had some occasions where there were cars uncoupled or derailed that any other kind of detection would give me a false indication.
DCC detection would require resistors across the axles of most of your freight fleet. You would be detecting a very small area of track (just clear of the switch) and if the detector doesn't see a load (resistance) it wouldn't know if anything is there.
I have a bunch of surplus cameras I can send you a couple if you want to try them out. I switched from B&W to color a couple of years ago and the B&W cameras are surplus (they actually provide a better resolution in low light) If you want a couple just reimburse the postage and they're yours.
You can connect them to any monitor or cheap TV that has a video in (yellow RCA jack) for years I used a four switch AV selector so I had four cameras and I could just push a button to switch any of the four.
The current baby monitor systems will allow you to see all four on one screen, sometimes handy.
You don't have to worry about recording, just monitoring. I picked up a neat 5" LCD screen for about $35. on ebay sold as a back-up monitor for automobiles.
I would avoid wireless since there can be lots of interference near your layout. These cameras wire up with just a 12v. DC power supply (a wall wart will work) and cheap RG-59 co-ax cable. Twist-on BNC connectors are standard but you could use RCA type, too. There are adapters.
IM me if you'd like to know more. Ed
Roger,
The new LCD CCTV system is from Harbor Freight. Locations are nationwide and online. Part #60565: http://www.harborfreight.com/color-security-system-with-night-vision-60565.html
It includes the LCD monitor, two color cameras, all cabling and power supply. List is $99.99, they usually sell it at $79.99 and I see the online price right now is $72.99. Coupons can sometimes get it even cheaper.
It's plug-and-play. Running the cables and mounting the cameras take the most time, other than that you can set it up in 15 minutes starting with it in the box.
erosebud,
I have a situation like yours on my layout. I used the micro mark IR device and mounted the LED on a control panel. ( http://www.micromark.com/irdot-1-infra-red-detector-of-trains-standard,8411.html ) When it is illuminated, the train is there. When it is out, the train is not there. The sensor is just past the turnout. When it goes out after the train has run through, I change the turnout and hit reverse on the controller. The momentum effect assures that the turnout has time to complete the throw before the train backs up through it. The LED actually blinks as the train moves past, and black cars are harder to detect. I mounted mine so it points to the sides of the cars just above the trucks. It works well and I have not had any problems with it.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
"One system would give you a camera for the entrance track and another a view of the staging yard, for instance. Cost is ~$80, although sometimes cheaper with a coupon."
Where can one find such a system for less than $100? Does that include both cameras and the LCD screen?
if an infrared led and phototransistor pair is used, could they be mounted an inch or so above the track and at an angle to cover a large section of the track to indicate if a car is located anywhere on the turnout?
similar to the figure below but at a smaller angle (less perpendicalar).
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
ShortCircuit This Infra-Red device is simple, and ready for installation. http://www.micromark.com/irdot-1-infra-red-detector-of-trains-standard,8411.html
This Infra-Red device is simple, and ready for installation.
http://www.micromark.com/irdot-1-infra-red-detector-of-trains-standard,8411.html
Yes, neat little circuit and would save building, only needs power supply and whatever indicator LEDs/lamps you would use to provide the operator with feedback.
Keep in mind that at least two would be required, likely more, which would then put the costs comparable to a CCTV installation, but would still not provide the additional feedback the visual output would from the cameras.
Cheapest would be several strategically placed IR sensors. But you have to feel comfortable with building and installing such a circuit. And it has limitations, since it just tells you if something is in it's path, doesn't say anything more. The train could be on its side and it would still be happy.
DCC products are available, more expensive than simple IR detection and they tell you a little more depending on design, installation, etc.
The best thing is CCTV, because it shows you want you are doing and how the train is reacting. It lets you judge basic things like train speed and exactly how close to the end of track you are. I have about half a dozen systems. These used to be kind of clumsy, with all the small CRT displays. Most of mine came from Harbor Freight. They are now producing a model with a flat LCD screen that is much slicker and better definition. These come with 2 cameras that have IR illumination for those dark hidden spaces. One system would give you a camera for the entrance track and another a view of the staging yard, for instance. Cost is ~$80, although sometimes cheaper with a coupon.
This is a screen shot from one of the new LCD displays I installed for the dispatcher so he could work the hidden loop I use for staging. The reproduction is funkier than in person, because of the weird interaction between the screen refresh and the camera. There is no added light, that's just the IR illumination provided by the camera.
Part of my layout involves a run through the visible portion and on "into the woods"; i.e., through the backdrop and onto a hidden track. This hidden track then runs--behind the backdrop--all the way back to my off-site staging yard. So I run a train through a hidden turnout behind the backdrop, throw the turnout after the train is past it, then back up the whole train into the staging yard (where I start the whole process over again).
I've been debating about methods to indicate when the train has completely passed the hidden turnout. (I already have LEDs showing which way the turnout is thrown.) Cheap video camera setup? DCC occupancy detector? Infrared or similar device? I'm no electronics whiz, but I could get help. I'm starting with opinions about which method. What do you think?