I already have a Lionel 153-IR controller I wish to use with my MTH 30-11012 scale crossing gates I just received. I know from the instructions on the Lionel controller that you need a relay if you are operating a few accessories at once. My question is can I get away with using the 153-IR with just the pair of these MTH crossing gates or do I need the relay as well? I am hoping this MTH crossing gate set does not draw much current and therefore a relay would not be needed.
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The Lionel 6-14111 153-IR controller is used to activate any accessory it senses motion to activate any device that you choose. you can adjust time delay of the relay which activates when it detects motion!
i would say use the controller to activate what ever accessory you want to operate!
Alan
I would use an extra relay so as not to over load the circuit on the electronics in inside the controller!
Alan
N5cJonny, I couldn't find any official documentation on the 153-IR's rating, but did find a post here on the forum from several years back that say it is 1 Amp rated relay inside. That sounds like a likely figure to me, so I think you'll be fine. The gates use LED's any tiny motors from what I could find, and shouldn't take much power at all to operate. If you want to make sure, connect an amp meter in line and see how much current they draw. If I had to guess, it looks like you could connect 5 or 6 of those gates without a problem.
Thanks guys.
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