Is there a way....? MTH 151 Semaphore question

Anybody?

Jake,

Yes, there is a way,

Hook up your power lead (FROM the xfmr or center rail) TO the COMMON/center/uninsulated post of the #151.
Hook up the coil lead to the FT insulated rail.
Hook up the lamp lead to the other outside rail or other GROUND/COMMON connection.

Everything should work as you want it to.

This is the way that the original LIONEL #151 instructions suggested to do it.

This method of wiring will also work with the #445 operating Switch Tower and it's more modern variants, for automatic operation.

Thanks Myron, that makes sense now. I just couldn't visualize it in my head at first.

Got it working now.

That's how I wired up my Gateman. Used 2 lockons, one on the insulated section of track, with the common connected to the center rail, and the gateman mechanism to the outer, then on a second lockon next to it out of the insulated section has the interior light connected to the outer rail. Works much better than a contactor. (As long as your wheels are clean)

@Jake,

Cool!

IIRC, I had a similar concern when I hooked up my first #151 a 'few' years ago...

As ShayNo7 noted, 'Gateman" accessories (and others) also work well wired this way.

I read that, but couldn't find a good wiring diagram for what I wanted to do.

Once again, thanks for the help.

Do you wire up a lionel 151 semaphore the same way? I wired it up and ran over it once and while the semaphore operated correctly some of the car wheels sparked while going across the operating track so I unhooked it. Can somebody tell me why that's happening. Thanks

I am using fastrack and DCS

quote:

Originally posted by trussell:
Do you wire up a lionel 151 semaphore the same way? I wired it up and ran over it once and while the semaphore operated correctly some of the car wheels sparked while going across the operating track so I unhooked it. Can somebody tell me why that's happening. Thanks

The sparks are normal. By contacting the insulated rail the car wheels are completing the circuit to operate the solenoid for the semaphore arm. You'll see some sparks from both running rails. You can lessen the sparks by lengthening the insulated rail to two track sections vice just one.

Thanks Jerry I'll do that. Just didn't want to damage anything.
Have a blessed day

The MTH semaphore,at least the PW style one overheats quickly. If that is the case I recommend a timer circuit to shut it off so the coil does not overheat.

Dale H

Hey Dale, I have a Lionel 6-12727semaphore I just won in a auction. Since it has a solenoid in it, I'm guessing I won't need a relay. Do you have a diagram to wire it to Fastrack?

Hello Denny

 

It does not need a relay but I highly recommend using one. Without it it will pulsate a bit and also cause a bit of wheel sparking on the train. Also the semaphore will generate a lot of voltage spikes, so do not put in on the same circuit with spike sensitive accessories or a least add a TVS to the circuit if you do.

 

Here is a link using the relay method. If you want to hook it up directly to the insulated rail you can. It is like the the first diagram for the relay coil,substitute the 2 semaphore leads for the semaphore coil without the bridge rectifier and capacitor. Actually you can run it on DC current with a bridge and capacitor AT A MUCH REDUCED voltage and it will be quieter in operation. Too much DC voltage will burn out the coil fast. If it has 3 terminals,one is for the light bulb,that will connect directly to the accessory power.

 

www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowThread?id=410

 

You will have to make an outside insulated rail with the fast track.There are a few Forum posts somewhere showing how to do it.

 

Dale H