I plan on having a reverse loop on my layout. I would like to use three signals prototypically at each switch leg and enterance. I believe i need to not only detect the train but also its direction to make the signals work correctly.
Has anybody designed a circuit for direction detection? I have to say that this is something i can do but sometimes it is best to check with the forum folks about their experiences.
Regards,
Lou N
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Atlas-O makes a signal system that I believe will do what you want.
Lou-
I would recommend looking into Atlas' 21st Century Signal System and the additional products made by Terry Christopher of Custom Signals. These signals provide accurate tri-color and/or position light aspects based on block occupancy and more, which should give you the prototypical operation you described.
-John
Gentlemen I thank you for your replies...now its research time!
Regards,
Lou N
Gentlemen I thank you for your replies...now its research time!
Regards,
Lou N
Thanks again for the information...did the research,,,ultimately designed my own circuit.
Regards,
Lou N
I'd love to see your circuit!
Yes, please post your circuit and parts needed to make it. I would like to see it also. Thanks!
Yes, please post your circuit and parts needed to make it. I would like to see it also. Thanks!
I will work on a legible schematic. In the mean time, do you have an application? I plan on using this circuit for entrance/exit to a reverse loop. (Often referred to as an NX circuit by GRS - general railway signal).
Regards,
Lou N
Yes, please post your circuit and parts needed to make it. I would like to see it also. Thanks!
I will work on a legible schematic. In the mean time, do you have an application? I plan on using this circuit for entrance/exit to a reverse loop. (Often referred to as an NX circuit by GRS - general railway signal).
Regards,
Lou N
Thanks for working on the schematic for us, it will be much appreciated. I have no real application currently as my layout is still in it's early stages. However, at some point I want to add a lot of automation and maybe even computer control to my layout. I think this would be a really neat feature to have. I also like tinkering with electronics as much as I like playing with trains.
Some here on the forum are using software like JMRI with Arduino and other things to fully automate their layouts. I have been trying to learn all I can for the last couple of years. I don't know if I am capable of accomplishing this, but I sure think it will be fun to give it a try when my layout gets a little further along.
With the Arduino or a similar processor, this would be pretty easy. Just put two optical sensors in a row, you'll know which one gets triggered first.
With the Arduino or a similar processor, this would be pretty easy. Just put two optical sensors in a row, you'll know which one gets triggered first.
I think I might have some optical sensors for arduino around here somewhere. Got a big package of misc. arduino stuff cheap on ebay a while back. I'll experiment if it turns out I have some.
Two sensors a couple of inches apart, whichever one triggers first will tell you which way the train is moving. The only wrinkle is you'll have to have a time-out to reset the detection after not sensing anything for a couple of seconds.
Doesn't sound too bad to do if I can come up with the parts. Might be a day or two before I get a chance for a thorough search.
I would still really like to see Lou N's schematic of what he came up with too. Part of the fun for me is playing with circuits from schematics that you folks post here. Makes me feel like a mad scientist from a '50s sci-fi B movie.
Two sensors a couple of inches apart, whichever one triggers first will tell you which way the train is moving. The only wrinkle is you'll have to have a time-out to reset the detection after not sensing anything for a couple of seconds.
Exactly John, except I plan on using a 4538 CMOS precision monostable.
I've always gone for the one chip solutions as opposed to writing software. None of the Right of Way electronics had a processor in it. At TAS we had to; decoding the serial data for the UCUB and the motor timing for the puff-n-chuff board, for example.
The younger engineers at work all like Arduino boards or coding PICs. I like to find the 25 cent solution.
Lou N
Two short insulated sections would probably work instead of optical sensors and do the same function. It can be done in hardware, I'm just somewhat lazy and find whacking a few lines of code out is easier than the hardware solution. 
I'm beginning to see the uses for the Lionel LCS sensor track, but at $94.99 MSRP per unit that could get pretty expensive. Depends on what all you use them for I guess.
Isolated rails are another good plan, I like that and also understand those. Using the 4538 CMOS sounds like fun (good learning experience), but I know absolutely nothing about those?
Two short insulated sections would probably work instead of optical sensors and do the same function. It can be done in hardware, I'm just somewhat lazy and find whacking a few lines of code out is easier than the hardware solution.
That just proves that I'm older than you
Lou N
That just proves that I'm older than you
Lou N
You might be surprised. 
Good idea on the latching relay Dale, you truly are the relay king! 
Could just use a twin coiled latch relay and 2 isolated sections or 2 reed switches for 2 rail.
Dale H
Excellent with the relay solution. We can compare the action when i finish my solid state drawing.
And pray tell which Cleveland schools bestowed such wisdom to you? (Me---Paul Revere and Nathan Hale).
Lou N
If you are looking for magnets, K&J Magnetics is a very good place to look.
An amusing fact Dale, I also fixed pinball machines when I was in high school in Lander Wyoming. I built my senior year science project from old bowling machine parts, a mechanical blackjack player. It went all the way to the state fair and I won first prize with it.
This is a circuit I use to input an insulated rail input to an Arduino. The pins are labeled as inputs with an internal pullup as follows.
pinMode(8, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(9, INPUT_PULLUP);
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