Block occupancy detection

[joecool1212]

Im looking for block occupancy detection. Looking for anyone who uses optical or current sensing. I would rather not modify all my rolling stock for current sensing, but what are the pros and cons of each. I like the 4 part article in Model Railroader Mag Signaling Made Easier and want to use that sysstem. It will do everything I want. If anyone has any Ideas or suggestions I'd love to hear them. Joe

[Anonymous]

Joe,
Signalling for the common schmuk is just around the corner, we are almost there but not quite. For block detection, check out Digitrax's BDL16 detection (it will detect 16 blocks). You probably won't get a lot of responses to your request as signalling is still a small minority project. Digitrax also has signalling decoders but I'm not sophisticated enough to talk about it. I suggest you pose your quesion on the Digitrax forum at Yahoo! Groups.

It is coming to the masses but until you see a book out there on how to do it, you know it won't be very popular. And when Kalmbach does the book, you know signalling will really have momentum.

[nfmisso]

Do a search in the magazine index for "Twin T" It will work with DC, DCC and AC, with little or no modification.

[joecool1212]

Cool lots to look at, Thanks

[Sperandeo]

I'm using Bruce Chubb's DCCOD Optimized Detector, a current-sensing detector configured for DCC. It's an updated version of the old Twin T concept using an integrated circuit chip instead of discreet transistors. It measures current by inductance so there's no effect on the DCC control signals, and has sensitivity adjustments that make it much easier to use than the Twin T.

Current-sensing does requrie resistors or other electrical loads on your cars – passenger car lighting works just fine – but it gives the closest replication of prototype signaling.

so long,

Andy

[Anonymous]

Andy,

Would this work on a DC layout? Would you recommend it for a DC layout?

Ed