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BD20 sensitivity

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  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 2 posts
Posted by midland1 on Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:51 PM

i need to clarify.  the 16guGe feeders only fit passing through. the hole is too small for wrapping. i dont need it more sensitive but rather less sensitive. they detect all the time except when i add resistors as directed then they do not.  i cannot get the ohms low enough to avoid this problem.  in other words the signals stay red with out resistors and stay green with them.  i am using circuitron sd3 to control the signals. thanks

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, February 23, 2012 8:30 PM

Adding resistors ont he output will not change the sensitivity one bit. And paralleling the loop through the trnasformer probably will not either, the differnce betwen a resistor and an inch or so of wire is goign to be too great..

 ANd if it's not detecting, what Simon said is right, you need more turns, MORE sensitivity not less.

If it detects all the time even with no loco or resistor wheelsets you have either a wiring problem or you used metallic ballast which is causing a resistive short.

                           --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Thursday, February 23, 2012 8:15 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but you indicate that "but not show occupancy" surely this means that it is not sensitive enough and rather than desensitising you should be adding turns to the feeder to increase the sensitivity?

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: Centennial, CO
  • 3,218 posts
Posted by Stourbridge Lion on Thursday, February 23, 2012 7:56 PM

midland1 - Welcome to trains.com! Cowboy

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 2 posts
BD20 sensitivity
Posted by midland1 on Thursday, February 23, 2012 5:33 PM

I am trying to desensitize the BD20. So far I have tried using resistors (6- 10ohm in parallel and the light will change from red to green but not show occupancy. It seems the degree of adjustment is very very minimal? I moved the BD 20 to a longer feeder. I used just a short wire vs a resistor all with the same result. Any suggestions? I installed these all over my layout so need help? I am using the NCE system 5 amps. Feeders are 16 guage stranded. I tried a smaller feeder wire size.  I am just passing through and not winding the feeders onthe BD20. Thank you

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