Lionel trackside sensor

Jeff, you haven't provided the answers to this test:
I need to know this to procede.

Connect two wires to the transformer. One on the Common post, the other on either the Variable (track) post or an Accessory post (14V).

Label the tabs on the Gateman 1, 2, and 3. (It doesn't matter which number you assign to which tab, just don't change the numbers)
Then try each of the following ways a, b, and c, and record which does x, y, or z.
a) 1 to 2:
b) 2 to 3:
c) 3 to 1:
x) Lamp glows bright
y) gateman operates correctly
z) both operate weakly

Dave

Dave:

Here is a picture of what I did. The black alligator clips as shown will not operate as such, the action is triggered and the light goes on. And the IF doesn't do a thing.

Jeff, I can't help you if you don't do the test that I outlined above.

If you have a problem doing the test let me know.

Dave

I thought I did what you wanted. Is this going to solve my problem with the sensor?

Should we communicate via e-mails? My e-mail is in my profile, as I didn't see one for you. Thanks.

FWIW, I was going to connect my original gateman to the trackside sensor soon.  I'll be following this thread now.  I've used them in the past for the signal bridges successfully.  I'll make sure to post my results, hopefully before the end of the month.

@texgeekboy posted:

FWIW, I was going to connect my original gateman to the trackside sensor soon.  I'll be following this thread now.  I've used them in the past for the signal bridges successfully.  I'll make sure to post my results, hopefully before the end of the month.

That will be a good post as well.

Jeff, I don't need to see pictures.
What I need is the answer to these three test points, related to the Tabs which you have not Numbered yet.
> Remove all wires from the Gateman. Number the three tab locations with a small Sharpee or something that will not get changed. You can pick which number to assign to which tab.

> Briefly apply the two wires from the transformer (that I described earlier) as follows:
a) Tab #1 and Tab #2
b) Tab #2 and Tab #3
c) Tab #3 and Tab #1

> Then write the results, based on:
x) Lamp glows bright
y) Gateman operates correctly
z) Both operate weakly

> This is what I need to see:
a) = ___
b) = ___
c) = ___
(answers have to be x, y, or z.)

Dave

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Jeff, I don't need to see pictures.
What I need is the answer to these three test points, related to the Tabs which you have not Numbered yet.
> Remove all wires from the Gateman. Number the three tab locations with a small Sharpee or something that will not get changed. You can pick which number to assign to which tab.

> Briefly apply the two wires from the transformer (that I described earlier) as follows:
a) Tab #1 and Tab #2
b) Tab #2 and Tab #3
c) Tab #3 and Tab #1

> Then write the results, based on:
x) Lamp glows bright
y) Gateman operates correctly
z) Both operate weakly

> This is what I need to see:
a) = ___
b) = ___
c) = ___
(answers have to be x, y, or z.)

Dave

Dave:  OK I numbered the tabs and then tested the wires from the transformer as you asked me to.

A = Y   gateman worked, but no light

B = X Lamp bright

C = X Lamp bright

I hope this is what you are needing.

Thanks,

Jeff

Ok, that's good, but we need to differentiate between "B" and "C".
> Reconnect the transformer to Tabs #1 and #2.
> Connect one end of a third wire to Tab #3 only.
> Turn ON the transformer and verify that the Gateman again operates.
> With the gateman operating, briefly touch the other end of the third wire to Tab #1, then Tab #2.
Touching one of the tabs should cause the bulb to come ON, touching the other tab it will be Off.
Tab #1 = ___
Tab #2 = ___

Dave

OK I will check that out tomorrow. This is getting a bit confusing.

Jeff, your 90% there.

I clarified the text, above.

Dave

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Jeff, your 90% there.

I clarified the text, above.

Dave

Dave:

OK I did the test and Tab#1 makes the light go on.  I will await your next steps.

Jeff

Ok, Good.
Set the Gateman aside for now.
Now let's check the 153IR. (All wires removed, and its metal base isolated from any other metal contact)

> Connect 2 wires, from:
TRANSFORMER                        153IR
Common                    to             "U"
Accessory 14V            to             "A"

Next, we need a 14-18V rated bulb with wires, or a bulb only accessory, like a streetlamp, etc.
(Check to be sure it is good by touching its wires to the transformer's common and accessory terminals)
> Attach one of its wires to the 153IR terminal "ACC PWR"
> Attach its other wire to "ACC GND"
> Lamp should be ON.
Verify, and we will proceed.

Dave

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Ok, Good.
Set the Gateman aside for now.
Now let's check the 153IR. (All wires removed, and its metal base isolated from any other metal contact)

> Connect 2 wires, from:
TRANSFORMER                        153IR
Common                    to             "U"
Accessory 14V            to             "A"

Next, we need a 14-18V rated bulb with wires, or a bulb only accessory, like a streetlamp, etc.
(Check to be sure it is good by touching its wires to the transformer's common and accessory terminals)
> Attach one of its wires to the 153IR terminal "ACC PWR"
> Attach its other wire to "ACC GND"
> Lamp should be ON.
Verify, and we will proceed.

Dave

OK the wires are connected, and the light lights. I will wait for next step. I do have a phone call coming in so I may be a while before I respond to your next step.

By thew way Dave I am doing this via my computer, not on an iPhone, so I run up and down the stairs. No more phone call.

Going by the text on the 153IR, not in the manual, turn the adjustment knobs as follows:
Sensitivity to LOW
Timing to SHORT

For the following tests, be sure that the IR sensor is not facing any reflective materials.
> Remove only the wire from "ACC GND" and move it to the "NC" terminal.
> Lamp should be ON.
If it is not, STOP and let me know before proceeding.

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Going by the text on the 153IR, not in the manual, turn the adjustment knobs as follows:
Sensitivity to LOW
Timing to SHORT

For the following tests, be sure that the IR sensor is not facing any reflective materials.
> Remove only the wire from "ACC GND" and move it to the "NC" terminal.
> Lamp should be ON.
If it is not, STOP and let me know before proceeding.

OK I moved the wire as told and the light is still on. Also to not reflect any reflective materials, I put a cardboard about 8" away from the sensor.

Moving right along.

> Next, remove only the wire from the "NC" terminal and move it to the "NO" terminal.
> Lamp should be OFF.
Verify

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Moving right along.

> Next, remove only the wire from the "NC" terminal and move it to the "NO" terminal.
> Lamp should be OFF.
Verify

Wire moved to NO and light is out

Position something reflective about 1 inch in front of the IR sensor.
> Lamp should come ON.
If it does not, turn the Sensitivity knob all the way to HIGH.
Let me know.

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Position something reflective about 1 inch in front of the IR sensor.
> Lamp should come ON.
If it does not, turn the Sensitivity knob all the way to HIGH.
Let me know.

Put reflective piece and light turned on. Did not readjust the sensitivity knob

Ok, looking good.
> Remove the test bulb from the 153IR.

> Connect the 3 following wires:
Gateman                         153IR
Tab #1             to             "NO"
Tab #2             to        "ACC PWR"
Tab #3             to        "ACC GND"

   or   

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Ok, looking good.
> Remove the test bulb from the 153IR.

> Connect the 3 following wires:
Gateman                         153IR
Tab #1             to             "NO"
Tab #2             to        "ACC PWR"
Tab #3             to        "ACC GND"

   or   

What is the result when I do this? Is the gateman supposed to work? Do I keep the reflective piece in place?

Shack light should be ON.
Gateman should come out when you pass your reflective piece in front of the sensor.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

What is the result when I do this? Is the gateman supposed to work? Do I keep the reflective piece in place?

OK keeping the third wire on 1 & 3 of the gateman and hooking up the above, the gateman turns on and lights as well. So now what do I do with the sensor? Take away the reflective piece and see if it turns off??

@Dtrainmaster posted:

Shack light should be ON.
Gateman should come out when you pass your reflective piece in front of the sensor.

OK I will remove the reflective piece and then put it back.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

OK I will remove the reflective piece and then put it back.

I took the reflectyive piece away from the sensor and the gateman and light stayed on and did not turn off. Now what?

> Connect the following wires:
Gateman                         153IR
Tab #1             to             "NO"
Tab #2             to        "ACC PWR"
Tab #3             to        "ACC GND"

ONLY one wire from each tab.

@Dtrainmaster posted:

> Connect the 3 following wires:
Gateman                         153IR
Tab #1             to             "NO"
Tab #2             to        "ACC PWR"
Tab #3             to        "ACC GND"

ONLY one wire from each tab.

OK I did away with that thrid wire to gateman and now the sensor worked. The light inside stays on, and when I put the reflective piece in front of the sensor it turned on and the guy came out. But now how is the sensor going to work without a reflective piece? I already tried to put cardboard in front and nothing happened. Does this mean a train car is going to have to have some sort of reflective piece on the car to work?

You may need to adjust the Sensitivity for your train set-up. Now that it is working, try it on your layout.
Later, adjust the Timing (off-delay) to your liking.

@Dtrainmaster posted:

You may need to adjust the Sensitivity for your train set-up. Now that it is working, try it on your layout.
Later, adjust the Timing (off-delay) to your liking.

OK Dave:

I readjusted the sensitivity to the max and put the timer to the shortest. Now it worked perfectly!! So, was all the original processes needed to re set the sensor?? It sure works so far like it should.

I will set it up on my G gauge so when those cars hit the sensor it hopefully will work. I will be using a Lionel transformer to do this.

If this all works, I can't thank you enough for all your help and patience!!!! If this works from now on, READERS take note.

Jeff