Wiring a 450 Signal Bridge to 153 IR Controller

If a "new" 153IR do you have the instructions that came with it?  The key is the release date which is in the upper right corner of the first page.  Problem is, Lionel changed the wiring instructions for the 153IR depending on the release date even though they did not change the SKU or item number.

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, the release date is 4//21; there is another number above it, 71-4111-250

This may help.

https://youtu.be/Uxv-HrhvYeM

Thanks, Ed, I will take a look. 

Note that the 153IR with the same SKU # in the above linked youtube has a manual dated November 2002 (vs. your April 2021).  If the wiring instructions are the same then great.

All I'm saying is there have been issues in the past where different versions of the 153IR (with the same 71-4111-250 SKU #) had differing wiring instructions causing much grief, consternation, lost sleep, pulling-out-hair, etc.

Hah! So true and I have less hair to prove it!

Awk!    I'm just getting ready to buy a new 153R.  Am I to understand that they don't come with a wiring diagram included?

Geesz, Stan, that sounds worrisome regarding the different wiring instructions.  Mannyrock, there are wiring diagrams for certain accessories, but not the signal bridge.  I want to make sure the 153IR will work with the signal bridge; I'm sure it will if I hook it up correctly.  I hear it clicking when I hook it to power and block the IR sensor, but nothing is happening in terms of the signal bridge.

But wait....there's more (grief)!  Your 450 probably pre-dates the double signal bridge shown above from 2003.  In its manual, they show how to hook it to a 153IR.  They make no reference as to which version of the 153IR.  So let's say one had the 2015 version of the 153IR with the key figure/diagram shown.  They do not match and would not work.  As mentioned there have been multiple OGR threads that can be reviewed to understand exactly what is different etc. etc. but why not first get your bridge signals up and running.

I could not find the 2021 manual for the 153IR on the Lionel site.  So what I suggest you do is find the equivalent of Figure 14 for a Single Signal Bridge.  It may even be the identical diagram to the 2015 version shown above - in which case great!

You'd have something like the above.  You need to connect the common clip 3 of the left side to clip 3 on the right side (shown in purple).  Then connect the left side clip 3 to the 153IR "ACC PWR" terminal (instead of "ACC GND"). Left clip 1 and clip 2 go to NO and NC respectively which I think you already have done.  The left side green lamp will be ON until the 153IR is triggered.

You can use the KW fixed 14V Accessory output C-D to power the U and A power inputs on the 153IR. This assumes you are not using the C-D Accessory output to power other accessories that are triggered by the insulated rail method. Understood that one would think you should connect the 153IR U and A to the KW U and A.  You could do it that way adjusting the throttle accordingly to get suitable voltage and hence brightness of the signal bridge lamps.  I suggest you just get the signal bridge and 153IR running using C-D and explore the KW separately as it kind of depends on what else you have going on in your layout.

Stan, thanks very much, these are great instructions and advice, and very clear to follow.  The diagram is especially helpful.  I will try this out today.  Lionel does some curious things on occasion, don't they?  My 450 is definitely older and shows the scars and scrapes of the years.  I bought it from a local train store last year but am just now trying to hook it up.  The guys at the store assured me it was in working condition; to test, I hooked it up to a 153C contactor and got two of the four bulbs to light, one on each signal.  The other two may be burned out or may not be contacting the solder point on the bulb fixture, because the insides aren't in the greatest of shape.  But I do know it's at least partially working, so once I hook it up correctly to the 153 correctly I should be in business.  Thank you also for the clear instructions on what to do regarding the KW.  Question:  I do have an insulated track section connected to other accessories that is located prior to where I want to put the signal bridge and 153 on the layout.  The insulated track block, which operates a gateman, crossing signal and gate, is separated from where I want to put the signal bridge by three or four track sections, and is hooked to the C+D accessory posts on the KW.  Could this cause a problem with the operation of the 153 and signal bridge?

@Teeg posted:

...

Question:  I do have an insulated track section connected to other accessories that is located prior to where I want to put the signal bridge and 153 on the layout.  The insulated track block, which operates a gateman, crossing signal and gate, is separated from where I want to put the signal bridge by three or four track sections, and is hooked to the C+D accessory posts on the KW.  Could this cause a problem with the operation of the 153 and signal bridge?

I suggest getting the 450 to work with the 153IR first so we can declare victory to the thread topic.

Then perhaps start a separate thread on the KW titled something like "Powering insulated-rail accessories using a KW transformer."  I don't use a KW myself and I figure you can draw on a lot more expertise from guys that may skip over this thread because of the topic title.  The KW has, in my opinion anyway, a somewhat unusual wiring of the Accessory voltage (C+D) relative to the track voltages (U+A and U+B).  But this KW drama is separate from successfully pairing the 450 and 153IR. 

Sounds like a plan; your suggestions worked perfectly.  I followed your instructions and the diagram and tested the pairing with a separate transformer outside of my layout.  Everything worked.  I will reinstall the 450 and 153 into my layout tomorrow and check its operation with the KW.  I really appreciate your help; I never would have figured this out on my own! 

This morning I hooked everything up to the KW exactly as I did yesterday on the successful test on the separate transformer outside of my layout.  I connected the 153 power supply to the C+D posts on the KW and nothing worked.  When I connected the 153 to the same separate transformer I used yesterday, the signal bridge lit up briefly before tripping the transformer's circuit breaker.  There was no train on the track when I did this.  Since I am using the C+D posts to power other accessories via the insulated rail, as Stan previously commented, I wonder if that is the problem, or if it is something else entirely.  Since the test transformer shut off today and did not yesterday when the signal bridge and 153 were not connected to the layout, I'm going to look at all the connections between the two and make sure there is nothing that would cause a short circuit.  But any other suggestions are welcome!

If you are unfamiliar with Transformer phasing and how different "ground or output common" references can cause unpredictable voltages on the track and accessory circuits, this is a good primer:

martye.com TipsandTricks Transformer Phasing

However, since the KW is a bit unusual in how all the posts are arranged with different voltage "Common" reference points, after reading the Transformer Phasing article, this diagram may also be helpful in determining how best to connect insulated rail activated accessories in conjunction with the 153IR/Signal bridge combo.

Thanks for your response, Steve, I will take a look at the link.