I’m working on putting together my layout for this Christmas using MTH RealTrax. I’d like to add a couple crossing signals & noticed that it is recommended that an ITAD be used.
How does the ITAD work? Can one ITAD be used for two or more devices that are near each other at a parallel section of track? (ie, I’ll have a double track crossing for my crossing signals to go at, one train going one way & the other going the other way, etc)
Thanks for any help/advice in advance.
I have the scale MTH ITAD… the one that is mounted in a silver signal box (MTH product #45-1028). There is another version that is mounted to go with the MTH roadbed mounted track (MTH product #40-1028), which as a consequence doesn’t look as nice.
I like the scale version. I can be used with any kind of track. Both devices use an infrared light to detect the train passing by. I seem to recall the train magazines saying that there were some problems with the #40-1028… not serious problems, but more like drawbacks, whether it was the design or operations, I can’t recall.
The scale version I have is room light sensitive. That is, if you have a bright light above the layout, or a clamp light on a nearby worktable as I have, these lights can cause the ITAD to operate. I use my ITAD with 027 track on a curve section of track with the ITAD signal box at an angle. I had to do some testing with my longest cars to test overhang and clearance. I have mine set up to operate 2 crossing gates and a signal bridge with no problem. The biggest challenge is to get multiple wires attached to the small screws included with the ITAD, but it can be done with patience.
The ITAD’s probably work better on a straight section of track. But the #45-1028 does have screws so you adjust both the distance to the track sensitivity as well as delay: the time the device operates the accessory after the train has passed.
I like the looks of the MTH scale ITAD. I painted the bottom base of mine flat black to blend in with scenery better. The only real drawback I notice is that dark colored cars do not activate the device as well. So if you run a long train of black colored hoppers, you’ll need to adjust the sensitivity of the device. But compared to the tradtional insulated rails and track trips, the ITAD’s are one technical advancement that I like.
Good Morning mastfalk,
I would like to add a little to what Brainel has given you.
The ITAD senses the train before it gets to your crossing. If you are going to have two tracks, lets call them East bound and West bound, and you have your sense on the east side of the road, it will activate your crossing single correctly for the west bound train, but it will see the east bound train after it has all ready crossed the road.
I also want to point out that the MTH crossing Gates is motor driven to raise and lower the gates. This is a problem if you try to use two ITAD to power it.
Good Luck
tom
Good Morning,
I’m a big MTH fan but I’ve had some problems with the ITAD’s and I’ve tried to work out the bugs but I’m still frustrated. I have to think my problems stem from “operator error” and lighting issues, perhaps this winter I will get it figured out. In the meantime I have been using the DZ optic sensors along with the relays and they work great, the first time you wire one of those suckers though you will need some patience but they work every time. Hope this helps.
Jon
I have been using the scale version of the ITAD for about six months and have had some issues in areas where bright sunlight is present. Someone else suggested that a shroud could be made to block sunlight coming in from the side, etc. We have taken this somewhat further. A rectangular plastruct tube was cut to about 5/8" long, painted flat black on the inside, then cemented to the ITAD’s housing over the “reciever” window (as opposed to the “transmitter” window which sends the infared out to be reflected by the rolling stock). This effectively gives the ITAD "tunnel vision. A flat black “target” was then constructed to and placed on the opposite side of the track (the ITAD’s do not seem to be able to see flat black). In doing this, sporadic operation from sunlight, trains on adjacent tracks (the East bound-West bound issue that Spanky was speaking about), etc. was eliminated.
I hope this helps.
For an ITAD alternative - check out Scott’s Odds-n-Ends. Just a suggestion…
[:)]
HI Scott,
Please help me out, which item number are you refering to that would replace the ITAD [?]
thanks
tom
MTR-12T is our #1 selling relay. Easy to wire. Instructions are online if you want to take a look. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail or call.
Scott
THanks Scott
We will check it out.
tom
Hello,
I haven’t seen a good solution (yet) to this problem. I have a similar issue. I received the MTH Highway Crossing Signals for CHRISTmas. I too have a 2-track crossing with trains being able to come from both directions on either tracks.
Is it possible to operate the Crossing Signals with two ITAD’s? One could be positioned to pick up the train(s) coming from the east side and one to pick up the train(s) coming from the west.
I realize that isolation blocks would probably be better suited for this service. However, with my layout I would have to do a lot of demolition to put them in. Moreover, the way my turn-outs are located it would be difficult to install an isolation block.
If anyone could help me it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I will be extemely interested in how you resolve the issue. I have had the same problem and I bought a second one thinking the same thing. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I could get them to activiate when a train passes the first one, and then would activate the second when it passed it. So the train would be long gone before they would shut off. The next step would to buy two more of them to turn off when the train passed it. So I finally decided to do the isolated rail, and have never regretted it. Now, I am trying to come up with an idea for some other application, still working on that.
I haven’t purchased the ITADs yet so I don’t know the answer to this so here it goes…It sounds like you can’t adjust the delay time of the ITADs to 0 (zero). Is that correct?
Because if you could then the gates/signals would stop immediately after the train departs the second ITAD, right?