Ok Back to the original question. Is this wiring diagram above going to do what I want?
1. When the train passes over the detector the light will turn from Green to Red and will turn back to Green when the train clears the detector.. It looks that way to me. Am I correct?
Harold
wolfman halOnly reason is that I happen to have 20 each Green and Red bulbs in my cabinet.
Hi Harold,
You can get 100 each of prewired 0603 red and green LEDs for $0.99 USD/100 plus $3.00 shipping. That's a total of $4.98 for 200 LEDs. Is it really worth saving $4.98 to use something that will eventually burn out?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/0402-0603-0805-1206-SMD-Pre-soldered-Micro-LED-White-Red-Blue-Diodes-20cm-Line/382349082395?var=651140027973&hash=item5905c7ff1b:m:mnr2pV915z77DafnTrnRONA
You will need resistors if you don't have them:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/100pcs-1K-1000ohm-1-4W-1-accuracy-Metal-Film-Resistors-NEW-CA/141976454381?hash=item210e74c4ed:g:PGsAAOSwosFUWZAS
OK, now we have doubled the price if you have to buy the resistors. You are hovering around the $10.00 mark. Not going with the LEDs is penny wise and pound foolish IMHO.
If you need help working with the LEDs we will be glad to assist.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Only reason is that I happen to have 20 each Green and Red bulbs in my cabinet.
The instructions say a relay of up to 100ma can be connected to pins 1 and 2 of the IRDOT-1. This would allow the operation of any sort of light bulbs. Since no information is given on the allowed current limit on the LED connections, and since no resistors are supplied, this would generally mean the limit is something less than 20ma.
Why not replace the bulbs in the signals with LEDs? Then you know it will work. Since you are replacing them anyway. Plus they will never again in your lifetime burn out.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Some one gave me some great old Brass Signals. The wiring was shot. I have some 3mm grain of wheat incandesant bulbs I am going to replace the old bulbs and wiring.
I will try Heathcote on Monday.
I think the Irdot has resistors built in for LEDs only but why not ask the manufacturer Heathcote Electronics on cah@heathcote-electronics.co.uk
for the circuit? remember incandesant bulbs take more current than LEDs
Ron
1. A simple Green /Red Track Signal. Will this work?
To indicate when a train is detected a LED is connected to terminals 5 and 6. This LED lights when the train is over the detector. We supply the IRDOT-1 with a 5mm diameter red LED screwed to these terminals. The IRDOT-1 can also operate a seperate LED which lights when no train is detected (green in the diagram). If you wish to indicate no train is present in this way then a resistor (1K) is needed it is screwed into terminals 2 and 3.
2. Can I use Incandesant light bulbs instead of LED's ?