Slow motion crossing gate project

Go to  www.azatrax.com.   Loads of info on their site with the products you need. I bought a kit to use to trigger the lights on the crossbucks. Used the sensors up through the roadbed. Flawless operation with easy to follow directions.

Thanks for sharing this project. I was just going to post and ask if anyone had done something similar to get the gate to slow down. This looks great. The original fast motion is just too fast. Will try this out!

And Thank you to Dave C for sharing a company I didn't know about!

Terry

I used a servo to actuate a crossing gate to simulate real time action. Trackside magnetic pickups were used to actuate the arm.

Enclosed are pix of the crossing gate.

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@BOB WALKER posted:

I used a servo to actuate a crossing gate to simulate real time action. Trackside magnetic pickups were used to actuate the arm.

Bob,

I also used a servo.  Back in April I fabricated a prototype, attached are photos and a short movie of the finished package.

bd

Very nice! Aren't these animation projects fun?

@BOB WALKER posted:

Very nice! Aren't these animation projects fun?

Well ... 'fun' may be a bit strongly worded.  Lol, just kiddin' ... as George Peppard  used to say 'I do love it when a plan comes together.'

bd

Hi Barnun,

Thanks for sharing your crossing gate project.  I really like the video.  I have two of those (I think they are Bachmann) crossing gates.  This looks like an excellent winter project.  Did you have any additional information that you could share? 

John

@CA John posted:

Hi Barnun,

Thanks for sharing your crossing gate project.  I really like the video.  I have two of those (I think they are Bachmann) crossing gates.  This looks like an excellent winter project.  Did you have any additional information that you could share?

John

John, be glad to share, that's the great thing about this forum.  What I used were Plasticville crossing gates (they are sometimes shown as S gauge and I believe produced by Bachman) that can be found really cheap.  The servos are standard SG90s, widely available and also reasonably priced.  The PCB was produced by JLCPCB and if you're interested I'll post the Gerber File to the repository here on OGR.  Tomorrow I'll look up the spec's on the brass then pass that on to you.

bd

Parts List :

Brass Strip : K&S #8230 .016 x 1/4 (.41mm x 6.35mm) Strip (2 pieces - top & bottom slide)
Down Rod & Linkage : K&S #8160 .032 (.81mm) Rod
Crossbar : K&S #8125 1/16 x.014 (1.57mm) Tube
Crossbar Swivel : K&S # 8126 3/32 x.014 (2.38mm) Tube
Linkage Stoppers : 1.6mm (2 - solder the one for the down rod, servo arm is free spinning)
Resistor : 220 Ω 1/8W (Current Limiter For LED)
Thread Lock : Locktite Blue 242
3 Pin Horizontal Male Header P=2.54mm (connection to controller)
5 Pin Vertical Male Header P=2.54mm (connection to Servo & LED)
3mm Flashing LED (Red)
(conductive) Adhesive Copper Foil
Wire
PCB (Gerber File attached)
Small piece of hardwood (for mounting block)
Dowel Rod (connection between mounting block & layout, think I used a Bamboo BBQ Skewer)

Also attaching one extra picture and since I couldn't find a Gerber repository (must have been thinking of the 3D repository), I'm attaching the Gerber here.

bd

Hi BD,

Thanks for the detailed parts list.  I'm definitely going to save this info.  I've not built anything with servos yet but with people like you on this forum willing to help, I know I could do it!

John

@CA John posted:

Hi BD,

' I know I could do it!'

John

John, you are very welcome and I've got faith in ya'.  As Bob Walker stated try and have fun with the project.  Since this was also my first servo project I found a lot of information on both the web and YouTube.  I find the Dronebot Workshop tutorials well done and very informative, plus he covers many kinds of different devices.  Those will at least get your feet wet.  Best of luck.

bd

Dronebot Workshop videos are always well done and very informative.

Has anyone used a wireless proximity sensor to initiate servo action in an animated accessory?

Bob,

Are you thinking in terms of something like an ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04)?  If so, you may want to review this post: https://ogrforum.com/...ock-detection?page=7

Personally, I've only experimented with one briefly but it looks like it could be very useful and will most likely find a place on my layout.

bd

The proximity sensor I have used is the Sharp GP2Y0A21 which is wireless.