Just got a set of crossing signal lights (Model Power 1681) with a 2 way prewired switch. Is it possible to rewire to have blinking lights at the crossing? And how do you wire or have a detection circuit when a train is approaching? Just using straight DC for my electrical. The 2 way switch only alternates between the crossing signals.
There are a number of options. I’m not familiar with that particular signal, so don’t know if it will work with any of the controllers.
Controllers may be activated by a push button, block detector(s), photocells, or infra-red cells.
The one I use is the Grade Crossing Pro, from LogicRail: http://home.houston.rr.com/lrt/gcp.htm
It’s about $43, with 4 photocells. I use the Tomar signals, about $42 for a pair from LogicRail. You can also get signals with gates that are raised and lowered by a Tortoise, driven by the same Grade Crossing Pro controller. I also use the Bell sound module, about $30 from LogicRail, also driven by the controller.
Circuitron also makes controllers, as does Dallee Electronics: http://www.dallee.com/signaling_equipment.htm
and probably others.
Just be careful – some of these work only with electric block detectors, some of which are for DC only, some DCC only, some on either.
Ikaimi,
I had some similar signals from Bachmann I think. I thought about getting control circuits for them, but never got past two push buttons to make the lights alternate. A clumsy arrangement at best. Unless yours have LEDs they are probably not worth the trouble to automate.
After much deliberation and searching, I finally settled on Berkshire Junction crossing signals. The kit came with two LED equipped signals, and the operating and detection circuits to make them work. I chose the infra-red detection system because I wanted the lights to work in the dark. The whole she-bang was only $50.00.
There is a brief tutorial on how I installed my signals on my website. Link is in my signature. Just go to the Layout Page and scroll down to the picture of the railroad crossing and click on it.
If you are interested this is a link to the Berkshire Junction website:
http://www.berkshirejunction.com
I really like my signals. They add another dimension of realism to the BRVRR layout.
Good luck!
The Model Power signals you have don’t look even close to realistic because they are black plastic and have oversized lights in them. Real railroad signals are nearly always an aluminum color.
I believe the incandescent bulbs in the Model Power signals are rated for 16 Volts, but of unknown amperage rating. It would be possible to wire them to a crossing controller module, such as the Grade Crossing Pro from Logic Rail Technologies if you don’t mind their appearance, because the GCP documentation does include instructions for using signals with incandescent bulbs.
The bigger problem you would run into is finding a replacement for a burned out red bulb. Model Power probably doesn’t sell replacement bulbs, and ones from another company would most likely be a different color.
My advice would be to purchase better signals that have LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs, and are silvered instead of black.