Hi, I need help finding an activation system for NJ International PRR type signals.
Help!!!
You mean like this?
Jim
Signals can be activated by current detection in a block or section of track, light sensitive photocells between-the-rails, infrared devices that look across-the-tracks or look up between-the-rails.
Signals can work stand-alone as in signal animation or can be tied together. Many other good choices also.
Perhaps you are seeking the Logic Rail Technologies #SAD5
http://www.logicrailtech.com/
They have bulb type, LED Anode or cathode grounded types. I forget what NJI led's are wired like but you have to match weather anode or cathode of the led is common, i.e. "ground"
I bought mine from several e-bay sellers but you should be able to find them at lhs, too.These are just for signal animation, NOT for actual block control. They use a photocell to detect train presence, then "time out" to medium then clear.
After reviewing the web site it looks like they use new model designations. The PRR/NJI signal would require a SAD-SBCA for signal animation.
gmpullman Perhaps you are seeking the Logic Rail Technologies #SAD5 http://www.logicrailtech.com/ They have bulb type, LED Anode or cathode grounded types. I forget what NJI led's are wired like but you have to match weather anode or cathode of the led is common, i.e. "ground" I bought mine from several e-bay sellers but you should be able to find them at lhs, too.These are just for signal animation, NOT for actual block control. They use a photocell to detect train presence, then "time out" to medium then clear. After reviewing the web site it looks like they use new model designations. The PRR/NJI signal would require a SAD-SBCA for signal animation.
Is there any way to connect the signals to work as a whole system on my layout using the SAD-SBCA?
No, not with the SBCA which is simply an economical signal "animator." Study the Logicrail website, they have other block control systems but now you are getting into a whole new realm of electronics that other manufacturers may serve better.
Digitrax and others have block detection devices... you'll have to do some research to determine just how extensive you want to get!
ED
gmpullman No, not with the SBCA which is simply an economical signal "animator." Study the Logicrail website, they have other block control systems but now you are getting into a whole new realm of electronics that other manufacturers may serve better. Digitrax and others have block detection devices... you'll have to do some research to determine just how extensive you want to get! ED
I looked around and I found the SignalMaster. I think it is the way to go. Any comments?
steamfreightboy,
What you have not told us is the size of oyur layout, how complex a signal system you want, the nature of your track plan and about a dozen other factors that might effect what would be best for your needs.
The products that have been recommended by others are fine, if they suit your needs/wants.
BUT, signaling, both protoype and model, is a very complex subject. I suggest that before you spend money on something you might be happy with later, you learn more about signaling, and about the prototype you follow, because every railroad is/was slightly different.
If you just want some scenic interest, than you may be on the right track with logicrail, but if you want correct prototype operation OR signals that will be of use to operators on your layout, OR both, you may want to consider a number of other choices. Also the era and locale you are trying to model effects what kind of system would be correct.
Without knowing more about your layout or needs it is dificult to make good recommendations from the vast amount of product and info out there.
Having said all that, I will make one basic observation regarding prototype vs model signaling. On the prototype they have miles and miles of track with no turnouts, juctions, crossings, etc. and block signals can be 3, 5 or even 11 miles apart.
Model layouts, even the biggest ones, are virtually never like that. Every couple of train lengths of mainline we have turnouts, crossovers, crossings, etc. This requires a completely different kind of signaling called Interlocking.
Learn about Interlocking signals and CTC signals and how they work on the prototype, you will quickly see how almost every signal your model railroad needs is an interlocking signal or CTC signal, not a block signal.
Many of the "signal cards" on the market do not have nearly enough interlocking inputs to be effective or afordable for most model layouts. Depending on the type of switch machines you are using, you may be able to build your own simple, but prototypical interlocking signals with just a few relays and a few detectors.
One brand I recently looked into (not logicrail) would have required over $400 in hardware to properly signal two crossovers and a branchline connection. Similar operation can be built yourself with no complex solid state boards for less than $50.00.
Which do you have more of, time or money?
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL steamfreightboy, What you have not told us is the size of oyur layout, how complex a signal system you want, the nature of your track plan and about a dozen other factors that might effect what would be best for your needs. The products that have been recommended by others are fine, if they suit your needs/wants. BUT, signaling, both protoype and model, is a very complex subject. I suggest that before you spend money on something you might be happy with later, you learn more about signaling, and about the prototype you follow, because every railroad is/was slightly different. If you just want some scenic interest, than you may be on the right track with logicrail, but if you want correct prototype operation OR signals that will be of use to operators on your layout, OR both, you may want to consider a number of other choices. Also the era and locale you are trying to model effects what kind of system would be correct. Without knowing more about your layout or needs it is dificult to make good recommendations from the vast amount of product and info out there. Having said all that, I will make one basic observation regarding prototype vs model signaling. On the prototype they have miles and miles of track with no turnouts, juctions, crossings, etc. and block signals can be 3, 5 or even 11 miles apart. Model layouts, even the biggest ones, are virtually never like that. Every couple of train lengths of mainline we have turnouts, crossovers, crossings, etc. This requires a completely different kind of signaling called Interlocking. Learn about Interlocking signals and CTC signals and how they work on the prototype, you will quickly see how almost every signal your model railroad needs is an interlocking signal or CTC signal, not a block signal. Many of the "signal cards" on the market do not have nearly enough interlocking inputs to be effective or afordable for most model layouts. Depending on the type of switch machines you are using, you may be able to build your own simple, but prototypical interlocking signals with just a few relays and a few detectors. One brand I recently looked into (not logicrail) would have required over $400 in hardware to properly signal two crossovers and a branchline connection. Similar operation can be built yourself with no complex solid state boards for less than $50.00. Which do you have more of, time or money? Sheldon
As of right now, all I have is a 4x8, But I would like to expand to a layout of similar design to New Haven's Derby Junction in the April issue of model railroader, so I am planing for that. And I have a lot of time and not much money.
Steamfreightboy
OK,
The signals shown on that layout in April MR are Interlocking signals that protect the wye. You can do simple interlocking signals on a small layout like you have now by simply connecting signals to relay or aux contacts on switch machines so that they show green when the route is aligned and red when it is not. An Atlas snap relay and or a couple of 12v relays from radio shack isa lot less than some fancy signal controller you don't need yet.
don't worry about "yellow" or "approach" indications for now. Even big layouts often don't really "need" them.
Then, when you expand the layout, you can add block detectors to change the green route signal red after the train goes through the interlocking (turnout or group of turnouts. There is nothing that special about lighting PRR position lights. Just wire the center light always on and the pairs together that need to come on together.
Is the digitrax winlok system still avalible? I can't find it on the digitrax website.
ChartiersYou mean like this? Jim
My downsized n scale layout is small and $$ are limited, so I just have the two signals that you see in the picture. They are in stand-alone, or signal animation, mode although they could be connected to signals down the line. When a train just passes the signal it turns red and stays that way until the train clears the sensor, then after a time delay the signal turns yellow, and then green after another delay. The signals are from Alkem Scale Models and the detection is between-the-rails infrared sensors as my layout is in a low light room and I sometimes operate at night (read the wife is asleep). The infrared detection comes with the signal animation board. The board is the MAS-Sequence-4 board from Heathcote Electronics in England. Some other details are on my web site at:
http://chartiers.50webs.com/project4.htm
Logic Rail Technologies seems to be the preferred signaling solution and they do indeed make some nice products, but I was driven to find an infrared solution due to my unique low light configuration and not wanting to add metal wheelsets with resistors for current detection.