Hello everybody,
I am looking for a DC track occupancy circuit. I have no desire to go DCC but would like to have a set of hidden storage tracks which would require occupancy detection. Also it would be of an advantage to be able to align the turnouts automatically for the departing and arriving train, again with the help of the track occupancy detectors.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
Well, there are IR beam-breaker types of detectors, which work regardless, and there is the old reliable Twin-T and its variations which, like DCC detectors, need a lighter car, loco, or resistor wheelsets to detect occupancy. One of the better variations is the Chubb Optimized Detector (not the DCC Optimized Detector - this is a DC varion).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you can DIY, take a look at the below link. I have used some of his other projects and bought some stuff from him. His projects work and you follow is instructions.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#Current
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
da_krautI am looking for a DC track occupancy circuit. I have no desire to go DCC ..
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQVLmBD9FtXXTMmDokd4fWeeGcPvRTY5XblLnEyuDIhXlt2oN7_
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LION has some that work with some regularity, but they you do not wire your layout like the LION does, so scratch that idea.
LION does have an idea for hidden tracks. LION wants to store three trains on a single lay up track. Him decided to use micro switches with a drinking straw attached. These will be mounted on the roof of the tunnel, and will be activated by the presence of a train pushing the straw up.
The track has two switches, one at the inbound end and one at the outbound end. The three lay up spots are gaped. The switches, with the relays will spot and start the trains depending on which switch is open to the main line. When the track is empty spot 1 is not powered when a train enters the track. When the train stops it will lift the switch which will shut off the power to the number 2 spot. When a train enters the number 2 spot, the power is shut off to the number 3 spot.
When leaving the lay up, only the number 1 spot will be powered. once that switch is cleared the number two spot becomes powered, and when that train clears the number 3 spot will be powered.
Clearly this will need a little more thought since I do not want the second train to move just because the first train cleared the spot. I'll have to devise a protection circuit that will require the turnout to be moved to the main line, and then back to the pocket before the next train can be powered.
Details, Details, Detail is at the other end of de cat.
Other terminals are not so complicated, and only need a tally lamp to show occupancy, again the micro switch with the straw will be my go to detection appliance.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Thank you everyone for your replies.
You have given me the information requested. The use of infrared light is one great method of track detection. Also the web site has a lot of great ideas for circuits. As for the twin T method, it was unknown to me, but also looks very promising. As for the micro switches with the drinking straws attached, that too sounds like a interesting idea. To let the trains run in sequence, one would require relays with extra contacts so that they can be latched.
Again, thank you for a ll the help
Try this one it is one I will try for my storage tracks.
http://www.berkshirejunction.com/
Ron High