Greetings. I have a 30 foot long G scale track segment that is point to point only. It is powered by anolog DC, not DCC. I plan to have a train go back and forth on the track segment by itself with me having to control the power pack.
Will two diodes (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KCWPWQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A14FP9XIRL6C1F&psc=1) placed on isolated rail sections at both ends make a train go back and forth automatically? Or do I need a reversing unit like the LGB Shuttle Unit?
Thank you.
i think some sort of detector (e.g. current, pulse, optical) at each end and a latching relay could work.
why do you think diodes would be all you need?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Circuitron makes the AR2 which has an adjustable time delay. You guys use big voltages for G scale, don't you. This may not be suitable.
http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/ins/800-5401ins.pdf
Beware DCC Auto reversers do not do what you want to do.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
you can make a DC reverser with a couple momentary swiches, a resistor, and an ordinary relay ... maybe 5 dollars in parts ...
i made one for myself a few years ago for a pice of HO test track
You guys are beating up on the OP. He gets that diodes control the direction of current but not much more. I know enough to know that won't work, but not much more to tell him what to do. Tell us to use a resistor, relay and switches and then what?
Try cooking some Lamb Biryrani. Take some lamb, yogurt, rice, fenugreek, and raisins. Do you know the rice is supposed to be a little crispy? Is it slices of lamb or little bits? What else is in the recipe?
If you figure it out is great!
BigDaddyHe gets that diodes control the direction of current but not much more. I know enough to know that won't work, but not much more to tell him what to do. Tell us to use a resistor, relay and switches and then what?
if he's really interested, he'll ask.
gregcif he's really interested, he'll ask.
I think he will, unlike the DC vs DCC OP
The diodes will provide him with a "stopping section". Then by manually flipping the reverse switch the trolley, or whatever, will be able to escape the stopping section and proceed to the other end of the line until it enters that stopping section.
mrbighead I plan to have a train go back and forth on the track segment by itself with me having to control the power pack.
It sounds like he then wants to throw the reverse switch himself?
If indeed he has a "train" with the powered locomotive at one end, the stopping section will have to be at least as long as the train itself with the locomotive being at the far end unless he uses an optical detection device, rather than track activated, detection.
Single unit, or self-propelled "trolley" cars function on point-to-point, auto-reverse lines.
Cheers! Ed
BigDaddyI think he will, unlike the DC vs DCC OP
I had to go back and look, the OP never did, as of yet, respond to anything.
Maybe he's waiting for the current topic of "which is best" to die down to a conclusion, which, of course, they never do.
Mike.
My You Tube
A more important question is how does the trolley pole get turned around to face the trailing direction when the car is reversed.
Some of them there fancy models have automatically reversing trolley poles - like directional headlights.
However - if even a fake overhead is installed, running backwards on the pole is not a good idea.
Or - real overhead could be installed, and a tight radius reverse loop installed with spring switches. With a workign overhead, it's like three rail - there is no polarity issue with a reverse loop. And with spring switches, you don;t even have to do anything - it will run continuously, loop to loop.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
This thread has peaked my interest as I am considering the same idea for my layout, except it is a small custom z scale loco (DC) that I converted into a mine train on my N scale layout... looking to basically go back and forth from one tunnel to another automatically.
I was looking at this product I found on Ebay, but am not sure if this would work. The second picture shows a wiring diagram (using diodes) and I think this may be what the OP was looking for.
I am hoping to get some advice from some more experienced electrical gurus in the hobby.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F112038351878
I look forward to hearing your input about if this could possibly work... thank you for any advice. Cheers!
I saw this video on YouTube a few months ago:
Some of you may find it interesting. The YouTuber is a British fellow were there is a higher demand for Shuttle Systems due to the popularity of small, portable, show layouts. I have never seen anything is the US market like this, but I can think of a million uses for it, say a mine train or a trolley.
Regarding the OPs issue, I don't know of anything like this in G scale, but that certainly doesn't mean they don't exist, in fact I'm certain you'll find something if you look around.
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Dallee has an automatic back and forth unit, several actually. The basic one is available in 2 versions, with either a 1 amp or a 5 amp capacity. Should be fine for G scale. The others add more features, like individually timed stops or a stop in the middle.
mrbighead Greetings. I have a 30 foot long G scale track segment that is point to point only. It is powered by anolog DC, not DCC. I plan to have a train go back and forth on the track segment by itself with me having to control the power pack. Will two diodes (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KCWPWQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A14FP9XIRL6C1F&psc=1) placed on isolated rail sections at both ends make a train go back and forth automatically? Or do I need a reversing unit like the LGB Shuttle Unit? Thank you.
I just did a Google search for LGB Shuttle Unit and came up with video and links. Looks like you need the unit. I did see the reversing in a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHfVOB2q75E
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Using a couple of the IR type sensors found on E-Bay, directing a latching relay would do the trick. The ones I use for signalling, etc., do the jobs for which I have intended. Using an Arduino sketch pertinent to this might also work better, as you could program your trolley to even slow down, come to a complete realistic stop before switching.
maxman A more important question is how does the trolley pole get turned around to face the trailing direction when the car is reversed.
The little 4 wheel trolley cars usually only had one.
Even if it does have 2 - when reversing direction, you have to pull one down and let the other up. Some of those fancy G scale models do have that automated.
I actually have a little brill trolley running on some Bachmann HO reversing track it has two poles and i guess on the prototype two cabs.
Joe Staten Island West
Yes, most of them were double ended, since the 'cab' was really little more than a fold down seat, a throttle lever, reversing key, and a brake lever. Even electric MU cars that ran on regular railroads were little more - cab signals perhaps, being one major difference.
ef3 yellowjacketTis better to be thought of as a fool, than to open one's mouth-and remove all doubt..
That comment really bothers me. It sounds like maxman is being called a fool. Unless I am misinterpreting it, I don't find it to be within the spirit or the rules of the forums.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!