This is the second time I am struggling with this issue. I have an SE8C running signals and switch machines. I take the ribbon cable coming out of the SE8C to the Digitrax Signal breakout board (TSMK), as suggested by the discussion on this forum. The TSMK is great because I get those screw-on connectors to connect wires to. But taking 16 wires from 4 signals to the 8 screw-on connectors under the table is still a pretty painful job.
So I am looking for a simple circuit board: It would have 4 phone jacks on one side. On the other side, it would have 8 screw-in terminals just like the TSMK so I can wire this board to TSMK.
Does something like this exist? I am looking for this or an equivalent solution.
NP
Easy enough to make. You can buy 4, 6, and 8 pin phone jacks with wires coming out of them, those would screw to the terminals of the TSMK. An 8 pin RJ45 should work, because you need 7 wires for each set of signals.
Hot glue it to the back of the TSMK and connect the wires prioer to putting the TSMK under the layout.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You are the man!
I did not think of that, I keep drawing a circuit board with 4 phone jacks mounted on it. But I can just get those jacks with pigtails. My signals are all 3-colorlight (4 wire) so I will get 4, 4-pin jacks per TSMK.
Ok, Allelectronics.com does not have a phone jack with pigtail. If I were Randy, where would I look?
NP.
Inside this: http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MT-111/MOD-PHONE-JACK-6-WIRE-SURFACE-MOUNT/1.html
are wires connecting to screws inside the block, for connecting the wire fromt he run. You just take them apart. You can also look at modular wall plates, the dual kind end up having two jacks with wires.
Or just get the jacks that are meant to fit the multi-purpose wall plates. And some 4 conductor phone wire. The wire presses into place on the jack.
You may be able to use a modular mounting system such as the one shown on the following page:
http://waynes-trains.com/site/Signals/OtherSignalStuff/ModularSignalMounting.html
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
And actually be cheaper. The SMBK's are $14.99 for 3, even if you throw away the LEDs. The TSMKs are $14.99 for 2.
Sure it means a big hole in the layout, but signals aren't just planted in the ground like trees. The plug makes a nice base. All wired at the bench, drop signal in, go underneath and connect the 10 pin cable. I like that idea.
Be pretty easy to wire up say a 9V batter and appropriate resistors on a short piece of 10 pin cable to use to bench test each one to make sure all the LEDs light before placing it on the layout and blaming it on a bum SE8C.
Randy,
You had me for a second. SMBK = $5 per signal. TSMK = $15/2 and each will drive 4 so it's $1.88 per signal. Given that I am using a really cheap signal (looks good enough for me) that costs $8, I get to the SE8C for under $10. ($11today with the phone jack) My layout plan has 75-100 signals and my wife watches the budget pretty closely. So I really wanted to control cost.
I also have a different signalling scheme ie I am using only 3 heads as opposed to typical US prototype 4 heads per switch. You could call it combination Speed/Route signalling. Which means I end up diverging from groupings of 4. A "Star" topology, then, which breaks to 4 signal cables from the 10-pin ribbon cable coming off the SE8C works well for me.
So, so I am sticking to my plan :-), until I change it.
What signals do you have on your layout?
'cheap' and 'fully signaled' generally do not compute. The SE8C is pretty cost effective, you might also want to look at some of the stuff from RR-CirKits.
Right now I have no signals, the branch I model was unsignaled. My 'big' plan, which includes the main this branch attached to, will have signaling where it existed and then train on branch indicators for the branch. Mostly type G color lights, with a few semaphores here and there. RR-CirKits detection units, since they are coil type, no voltage drop like a BDL-168. Possibly using the LNCP boards - it has the detection and signal drivers fro a complete passing siding, keeping all the wiring somewhat localized to a given area, vs having a spider web of 10 conductor rainbow wire runnign everywhere from a centrally located SE8C. Nothing super crazy, I model the 50's and have some rulebooks for my prototype. The club layout is quite fancy with a mix of signal types as seen on the current prototype, fully signaled per current NORAC rules.
NP01,
As a side note,,,You can try to convince the financial adviser,that ''Cost Versus Safety'',,,LOL..
Cheers,
Frank
Oops! The package of telephone outlets arrived. I can not take out the outlet from the box ... I might have to cut it out ...
There. A little bigger than I wanted but I have lots of space under the table.