Lionel defect detector w/Atlas O track

well I used the boulder creek defect detector it has 2 led's one each on its own pc strip all I did was take a file and made a notch in gargraves track so the led's would see the wheel sets as some engines and rolling stock smashed the led below the rail height needed to detect the wheelsets.

not having seen the lionel version not sure if this will work for you.

here is a web link to one I used   https://www.bouldercreekengineering.com/   

I did look at lionels looks like you would have to do major surgery to get it separated from the fast track I would seriously look at the one in link a much better and easier approach but up to you.

Thanks StPaul for your info.  The Boulder Creek looks interesting, but I have purchased the Lionel defect detector & want to get it to work with Atlas O track.  The main problem as I see it is the sensors are inside the tubular fastrack with a slot cut in the side of the track to allow the sensors to see the wheels passing.  This is different than the Lionel sensor track, where the sensors are outside the rails enabling an easier conversion to Atlas O as I see it.   Also, the control box extends out from the track too far for space between my 3 main lines, but appears I can modify this by cutting to get it to fit.    If all else fails, may look at the boulder creek defect detector whisk is double the cost.       

Interested to see if anyone has used with Atlas O.

from the photo for lionels detector it appears it has a set of lines that suggests it can be disconnected from the fast track with sensors in place? just curious is all.  so if you can cut the control box off a matter of adding longer wires then you can place it anywhere you like. and will assume you can remove the fast track pins or whatever they use and use a set of rail pins for that to your atlas track? 

hope someone that has done this can help you more.

as to the other detector I suggested read it all you will find it has more custom settings and features and you can power it off if it gets annoying to you I like mine and with an external speaker with volume control is a plus yes its expensive but old saying you get what you pay for. if you or someone has a video of how the lionel detector sounds like I'd like to hear it to compare with the one I have.

Can’t understand why tear apart a perfectly good accessory in order to get it to work with something it wasn’t intended to. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just to connect the Atlas track to the fast track piece and camouflage the two with ballast?  

DaveP posted:

Can’t understand why tear apart a perfectly good accessory in order to get it to work with something it wasn’t intended to. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just to connect the Atlas track to the fast track piece and camouflage the two with ballast?  

DaveP, understand what you’re saying & agree.  Problem is there is no place on my layout that the defect detector can be installed “as is” due to the width of the detector.  I can cut the plastic arm from detector track to control box & install as you suggest, which I had thought of BUT would be nicer install if I could incorporate it into the Atlas O track similar to the way those on the forum have done with the Lionel sensor track. To get the detector to work on my layout I will need to alter it anyway, therefore looking for a way to incorporate into Atlas O.