I have a layout (still under construction) with about 50' of track laid (25 feet scenicked). I am on the Digitrax bandwagon with all switches on DCC and all sections detected (except yard ladder).
Even though I am handy with a soldering iron and JMRI, signalling is excruciating time consuming. I have tried two methods ... One using the SMBK board from Digitrax and one with the "Signal Break Out Board" ... both involve lot of soldering
Will anyone offer signals that can actually be plugged into a connector? I found that a telephone plug (4-wire) is perfect for single head and 6-wire workes for dual head. I wish signal manufacturers offered this ... So I could install and "plug" signals in rather than having to create connectors.
Nothing available ... If I got a large bonus I am being tempted to hire someone to do all the signalling ... Well ... Ain't going to happen.
NP01,Didn't Atlas offer such a system?http://www.atlasrr.com/Trackmisc/hosignals.htm
Switch to N scale? The Digitrax signal masts, plus a bit of plastic to make a target, are just the right size for N scale 3 color signals.
There is just no way around it, a 3 light signal has at least 4 wires. Solder them to the SMBK and then THAT can plug in to the 10 pin IDC connectors on the ribbon cable. It's not THAT much soldering, and soldering is relaxing anyway. You can make those all up comfortably seated at the bench instead of soldering under the layout.
For the Se8C's, use the breakout boards if you are using the other connections, otherwise the only connection to solder would be the power supply, the signals plug in to the 10 pin connectors with ICD connectors on the ribbon cabe, no soldering required. If you are using the Tortoise drives on teh SE8C, or the detector inputs, the breakout board lets youc onnect that stuff to screw terminals and just plug the board intot eh edge connector. Likewise with BDL-168, if you use the breakout bloards you don;t have to solder anything, just connect to the screw terminals.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I'm not into electronics, but I do like to solder. I worked as a signal maintainer for 31 years, so I obtained loads of miniature relays, Atlas G type signals, NCE BD20 current detectors and some PC boards and using the same circuit drawings I worked with I built my system that works just like the real thing and it is something I can easily repair or modify. Oh and I am using resistor wheelsets to detect every car. This is in N gauge.
NP01 I have a layout (still under construction) with about 50' of track laid (25 feet scenicked). I am on the Digitrax bandwagon with all switches on DCC and all sections detected (except yard ladder). Even though I am handy with a soldering iron and JMRI, signalling is excruciating time consuming. I have tried two methods ... One using the SMBK board from Digitrax and one with the "Signal Break Out Board" ... both involve lot of soldering Will anyone offer signals that can actually be plugged into a connector? I found that a telephone plug (4-wire) is perfect for single head and 6-wire workes for dual head. I wish signal manufacturers offered this ... So I could install and "plug" signals in rather than having to create connectors. Nothing available ... If I got a large bonus I am being tempted to hire someone to do all the signalling ... Well ... Ain't going to happen.
RR-Cirkits Fan out boards might be what you are looking for. RR-cirkits even produces Loconet compatible products (See detection and signaling section on website link below) as well as LCC products.
http://www.rr-cirkits.com/description/index.html