I have three sets of Lionel 154 crossing signals. Can you make them flash manually with a switch and not have to use the 154c clip. I have seen a board on the bay that claims to do this or do I just buy signals that are already set up like this like the Right of Way signals.
Does anyone have the Right of Way signals and what do you think.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Circuitron makes a circuit board that will do what you are wanting to. The product number is FL2HD. I recently installed one on my layout, and was relatively simple. The retail price is $26.95, and I believe it will power at least 2 signals.
An added bonus of using a circuit board instead of the contactor is that you can place the signal on curved tracks instead of only straight tracks. You can also supply the board with constant voltage, so the bulbs burn at the same brightness regardless of how fast the train is moving.
The downside of this particular board is that it requires DC, so I had to wire a bridge rectifier ahead of it to make the AC that most of the rest of the layout uses to DC.
Hope this helps,
J White
The boards from China are relatively cheap, work well and will do what you want. There are a few on ebay - WEHONEST comes to mind
I'm not familiar with the 154, but if it uses incandescent bulbs, be sure to confirm whatever circuit you choose can support the current. Some of the newer flasher circuits are only capable of driving low current LEDs.
I posted the following on another thread illustrating the use of low-cost eBay timing modules from Asia so they take a few weeks. It's overkill for "simple" flash timing but for $6.59 with free shipping it can be tempting.
It requires DC voltage but apparently so does the Circuitron(?). It uses a relay so you do hear a click on each cycle but with 10 Amp contacts there's no question it will handle the current of (multiple) 154 flashers.
In any event, if you need DC voltage for the Circuitron or whatever, if you don't already have an auxiliary DC supply on your layout you can derive one from AC accessory voltage using an AC-to-DC converter module (about $3 on eBay) or from an AC-adapter wall-wart (about $2 on eBay).
You can buy one of these and mount it at a central location, near your transformers. Run a pair of wires as a bus and you can derive the flashing circuits at any point on the layout. Add two relays to the output terminals and you can power a large number of signals. You can also use either one of the outputs to make a single lamp flash, if you need that feature anywhere on your layout.
Custom Signals has the GCF-1 board ( Grade Crossing Flasher) which can operate 2 Lionel 152 crossing flashers. Even though Terry is selling the business he may still have some in stock.
Customsignals.com
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
