Signals

[maxman]

5150WS6

I want the sensor to be tripped by a set of cars if need be. The current sensor wouldn't do that until the actual locomotive tripped that. In the mean time you've had 15 cars go by the signal.

No, I don't think you are headed in the proper direction.  You don't need to have a locomotive to actuate the sensor.  This is accomplished by adding a small resistor across the insulated wheel on the freight car truck.  I believe that one resistor per car is all that is required.

I don't believe that it is possible and/or practical to have any sort of optical sensor that can look at every section of track.  So what happens when you get an unwanted uncoupling and half your train gets left behind?  With the current sensor/resistor method you can see cars on the track even if they are standing still without a loco.

[5150WS6]

That's actually a very good point.  I want the sensor to be tripped by a set of cars if need be.  The current sensor wouldn't do that until the actual locomotive tripped that.  In the mean time you've had 15 cars go by the signal. 

Very good point.  Further confirms the fact I'm headed in the right directing with optical sensors.

Thanks Mel!

Mike

[RR_Mel]

I originally went with current sensors but I want to be able to detect anything on the rails so I’m in progress of changing over to optical beams.  Any object on the track that block the beam at coupler level will trip the detector.  I use standard LEDs where you can’t see the light beam and IR LEDs where they can be seen.  It gets a bit tricky hiding the LEDs but they work flawlessly.

 

My Blog post on my original signal system.

 

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/p/page-17.html 

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[5150WS6]

Ok so track work is almost done and flawless.  Our next step is signals.  But I'm totally lost here.

Here's what we want.  We want a three color style signal and the whole layout will run between 16-20.  I want the system fully automated.  Preferably don't want to have to hook my laptop up to it.....but I want it to work as it should.  Red busy, yellow use caution and green fully clear block.

I know there is no "easy" system for doing signals when it comes to this hobby.  But I guess I would like peoples input on what is easiest and works well. 

So far I believe my best option is the z-stuff signals with built in sensors.  They allow you to daisy chain the signals all together so one works with the next.  So this signal won't turn green until the next signal turns yellow.  Things like that.

I don't mind wiring.  So that can get complicated.  I'm ok with that.  I would however like to stay away from putting sensors in the track bed as well.  Call me anal or OCD or whatever but I don't want to see two little black sensors in my ballast. 

At least the sensors with the z-stuff signals could be hidden somewhat with bushes or scenery of some sort.  Not my ultimate choice, but so far seeming like the easiest and best.

Input?

Mike