What Controls Signal Lighting?

[KisNap]

Hello,

I have a two target signal and one of the targets has a red/yellow/green light.  I'd like to automate it with some sort of sensor that changes the light when the first sensor is reached and then a second sensor is passed.  What kind of circuit controller do I need to make that work?  Thanks for your help.

[gmpullman]

Hi, KisNap

I have used LogicRail's Signal Animator extensively throughout my layout. Some of my earlier installations use a photocell for detection and more recent ones use IR emitter/detector setups.

I have several where they are wired through a Tortoise contact to force the signal to red if the route is not aligned. The Signal Animator simply uses a timer selectable for 10 or 30 seconds to step to medium, then clear once the detector is open.

https://www.logicrailtech.com/index.htm

There was some discussion about signal animation here:

 http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/253037/2826276.aspx#2826276

Regards, Ed

[SETH NEUMANN]

Hi:

this kind of project is an ideal 1st project for an Arduino (very lightweight controller/computer).  A vareiety of optical or Current type sensors can be used to detect the arrival and departure of a train (or just the engines or lighted caboose).  You can write a sketch (very simple program) the free Arduino development tool that sees a train enter the block by the signal and set it to red and either wait for a second detection or the absence of cars in the block and run a timing routine to set it yellow and then after another delay to green.  You can get fancier with more sensors.  Search for Geoff Bunza for an excellent low cost optical detector.  You are also welcome to join the "Arduini" Yahoo group which focuses on this kind of project.

 

Hope this helps

 

[BroadwayLion]

LION knows NOTHING about electronic black boxes with things sticking out of them.

LION is old fashioned... him likes relays that go CLICK, and track detectors that WORK.

 

See... Here is relay room of LION   (must remember, LION has 14 MILES of track)

Is more simpler than it looks. Each relay represents a "platform Edge" which of course is the same as the signal blocks.

Embedded in the track is a reed switch. Attached to the bottom of the train is a magnet.

 

Five wires run between the relay and each platform edge (signal).

1 = Train Detection ...   Moves Signal to RED

2 = Power to RED signal lamp

3 = Power to Yellow Signal Lamp

4 = Power to Green Signal Lamp

5 = Power to Starting Relay (allows train to move to next station at the whim of the timers.)

 

Whe train passes second detector, Signal drops to Yellow, When train passes third detector signal goes to GREEN.

 

For what it is worth, here is the wiring diagram for the signal relay...

 

What works woprks...

 

LION said so.

 

ROAR

 

[SETH NEUMANN]

cool relays! I started in the phone business when all switching systems used relays. I love the smell of ozone in the morning!

[fieryturbo]

I'm going to second this.  Doing this with conventional products can be really expensive, hundreds of dollars.  With ArduinoCMRI and an $11 board kit, I am able to motorize all my turnouts at roughly $1.30 a piece (not counting the cost of wire) using chinese SG-90 servos.  The same board can handle every turnout and light on the layout, and can be extended almost infinitely with the help of $2.00 74HC595 breakout boards.  The servos can be programmed to move as fast or as slow as you might want.

I'm looking at roughly $50 to motorize and automate my whole layout.  If I decide I want a real switch panel at a later date, that'll probably be another $15 in wire, buttons, and breakout boards.

Considering most of the work is in mounting the servos, I don't see how a Tortoise-based layout can be suggested as cost effective anymore.

Additionally, if you are a DC-only person, the same Arduino can be used to control the lighting and turnouts without the help of a computer.

However, I'm always impressed by LION, with his sprawling savannah of old school wire and relay.