walthers lift bridge dcc control

[peterjenkinson1956]

i have the lift bridge   i have seen the article on how to use dcc to raise and lower it  ......................................... my question is   how would i be able to make the decoder also turn the signals red and stop the trains     then back to green when the bridge is back in its lowered position        thanks   peter

[Johnnny_reb]

 I would think that by using a relay to control the bridge movement you could also use a relay to control both the signal lights along with breaking the power circuit to a section of approach track to stop the train. Without knowing which decoder your using it is hard to design a control circuit for the system but it could be done.

 

A loco decoder could do the job.

Loco movement = bridge up and down,

Ditch lights / Headlights = signal lights on and turn on a relay to break the contacts stopping power flow to the approach sections of track.

Loco Horn = bridge horn or signal warning of bridge movement.

 The circuit can also be controlled by just a few toggle switches and would seem to be more realistic to me.

 

[TPW]

The CVP AD4 decoder that was in the article should be able to do it all. One set of outputs could be for the red/green lights that control traffic to the bridge, one set could be used for the lights on the bridge (or maybe they could all be tied together). Since I use a NCE system I can use macros to accomplish this. The first step would be to change the signal lights to red, the next step would raise the bridge, the third step would change the signal lights on the raised bridge. I am still working on using the 4th output to kill the track power when the bridge is up.

 How have you wired the track power on the bridge? I'm looking for some small gage flexible wire but have not found any yet.

Have you figured out a way to mount the switch for the lowered bridge to stop the motor power?

 

Good luck.

 

Lou

[MisterBeasley]

I would figure out how to use the bridge motion itself to activate a mechanical switch to kill the power.  That would be more reliable.  If you forget to switch the signal lights, well, you'll get a ticket from the Prototype Police, but nothing worse.  But, if you force the operator to remember to push a function key to kill the power, then you're risking a visit to Davy Jones's Locker for your prized locomotives.