On a prototype system, what is the actual flash rate of the lights on the crossbuck? How long is each light on? Do the lights on the other side fla***he same (left light this side on same time as right one on other side?)
I think I can build a flasher much cheaper than I can buy one. [;)]
Working with N scale, I don’t know if my eyes are good enough to build the crossbuck itself…hmmm, anybody know the dimensions off hand?[?]
Hope you all have a very Happy New Year![:)]
Tim T
Prototype crossing signals flash at a rate of once per second. The way they are wired, back-to-back lights come on at the same time, and lights on both sides of the crossing are in sync… Looking at both crossbucks from one side of the track, the left lights would both be on, and from the other side of the track it would be the right lights on both.
When i read this the first thing that came to mind was an automotive turn signal flasher. It’s 12 volt dc and just may be the ticket. Anyone have any feedback as i have never done this but it just crossed my mind as something that may work.
When I left the business in 1985,the “Flash” rate was 40-45 times a minute.
The signals on the other side are in ‘sync’ with the ones that you are seeing.
Auto flashers usually rely on lamp resistance to turn on off (if a lamp is broken on your auto the rest flash faster) so you would need a few on a layout to flash at a resonable rate. and what would you do when the flasher is off?
you could drive a relay and some more resistance with the flasher but then it would tick when the crossing was active. Electronic is much better way and adjustable.
Ken.