Tip re: Lionel 153IR controller

I'm stunned that would affect the sensor, and I have to believe this is just a coincidence and not actually the cause.  The IR sensor getting the signal from the LED bounced off a car can't possibly harm the sensor.  Many IR sensors are in the path 100% of the time until you interrupt the beam, they run for years.

I am with John on that one   The beam will not burn it out.   It had to be something else.

I agree with John, More likely the Relay coil opened after a time due to overheating.

The voltage / current on the coil was probably set for strong activation, not continuous service. Of course, John and I know how to make that work both ways as well, but it may have been "cost reduced" out.

Most all such relay coils are designed for continuous operation. Most likely the coil is 12 volts with a regulated circuit so no damage should have resulted.

Dale H

I think this was just luck of the draw that this failed under those conditions, not any misuse on your part.

The relay in the 153IR is only rated for about 1 amp switching load.

If your accessory was drawing more than that you may well have overheated and burned out the relay.

That should be repairable.

Rod

whatever it is, it does not work .  I am not experienced enough to repair it or find out how to repair. and no accessory was hooked up to the 153IR.

Hard to imagine what happened if it didn't have anything connected.

I use an outside insulated rail and relay for block detection. Shown here

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowThread?id=410&categoryId=

more reliable and much cheaper than IR detectors assuming you have 3 rails.

Dale H

Dale and all.  Thank you for your suggestions.  However above my skill level (if any exists at all).  I am using them for block target signals. 

On my former layout, back in the 1980's, before all these modern electronics, I used insulated rails without a relay to control crossing signals, semaphores, 022 switches, and even control other trains.  A train would wait at a switch until another passed, and would then start. What are the advantages of using a relay rather than just the insulated rail itself?

B&OBill

Bob

The relay works much smoother since you can use a DC coiled one with a capacitor. This eliminates the intermittent electrical contact of the outside train wheels completing the circuit. Also those wheels carry only a very low amount of current activating only the relay coil,typically 1/2 watt or less. Much less sparking as the relay contacts carry the main load. 

Block signals  and some crossing gates require NO and NC contacts,not easily available with the insulated rail method alone.

Relays can be multi contact performing complex switching with numerous circuits and coupled with timer modules place time between functions.  In your example for train routing,when one train arrives the other one does not have to immediately jackrabbit out of the block. It could wait 10 seconds or 10 minutes.  With additional relays and some diodes the train can be made to soft start. With relays and timers annoying accessories such as a crossing warning bell can ring for say  10 seconds,then shut off. 

If interested see the discussion on the electrical forum about the passing siding which was discussed some time back.. This is a good illustration of how relays can be used effectively for automation.

The IR detector mentioned also is a relay,the coil is just activated in a different manner than the insulated rail method. The latter is actually less complex and easier to use if an insulated rail can be made.

Having said all this in some cases the insulated rail method alone will work satisfactory. 

Dale H