I am using a Digitrax BDL168 to do block detection on my layout. I would like to install some road crossing lights and maybe gates in the future. Can’t a single block at the crossing just be say 20 inches long (depending on train speed) 10 inches to each side. And let the LED driver of that block on the BDL168 turn those lights on and when the block is empty the light / crossing lights would go out?
I am asking about this single block idea, because I seem to remember reading somewhere that you need 2 or 4 blocks to do animation at a road crossing, of course now I am having trouble locating that if it existed.
Next question is what Lights can I use? Will I need other electronics to make them flash? All my goggles bring up other detection devices that I don’t think I need.
Thanks in advance.
The reason for all the extra blocks is to make it completely realistic. It will work fine with just one block, but not be completely prototypical. Check out the Logic Rail Technologies Grade Crossing Pro http://home.houston.rr.com/lrt/gcp.htm This will handle everything - detection, flashers, and gate motor. You cna also drive i with other detectors insteadof using the photocells. I would recommend staying with soemthign other than track current detection - simply because this will interfere with your other block detection. You will have multiple (or even just the one as you describe) block in the middle of your others that is shorter and probably not in the correct location for signalling purposes. And you can’t have one detector downstream of another, usually this causes false detection. A system not connected to the track, like the photocells or an IR beam, is probably best here.
–Randy
A friend of mine has crossing gates set up with a light sensor about 10 feet on each side. Im not sure how it is wired, but when a train crosses one of the light sensors the lights turn on, and when the end of the train crosses the other one they turn off.
Don Forsyth here,
I use Digitrax, ‘168’s’ for detection on my control panel.
For crossings, I used a NorthCoast single detector to trigger it. NC uses
current flow transformer to detect, thus what I did is route the block feeder
to pass though the NC detector and now have crossing flashers working as
well as visual occupancy on my control panel. This might work for you.
Don, Courtenay, B.C., Canada