Crossing Signal Detection and Driver Board

$17.00$68.00

(1 customer review)

This Driver board may be used in any scale with common anode LEDs in the crossbucks. These include Tomar and Custom Signals. If you have a specific application, contact us to see how to best support you. The Flasher board used is from Ngineering.

This Railroad Crossing Signal Track Detection and Light Driver Board operates from accessory voltage (AC or DC).  On board are up to two detection circuits, a realistic flasher for the LEDs, and circuitry to support gate operation.  Typically railroad crossings are activated by a train coming from either direction.  And continue to operate until the train leaves the protected block.  On your railroad, this protection block may be defined by Infrared beams or isolated rail (3 rail O Gauge).  The IR signal can support up to 5 parallel tracks and the IR beam will stretch 25″ reliably (and more with good alignment!).  The height of the beam may be at wheel level or car/engine body level.  In addition, this board also supports isolated sections of track.  Why both?  Simple;  some model railroaders use the isolated track to trigger occupancy signals for small or large section of track.  Our approach allows a separate source for detecting a train in the protected crossing block. So far I have sold more units to O Scale folks who rely on the IR approach.

And the fun doesn’t stop there!  The main board will also drive the Crossing Bell sounds, just select this option.

Description

This board (and supporting sensors) may be used for any common anode LED signals such as Tomar and Custom Signals.  The operation supports multiple scales as the board is mounted under the table with double-sided tape.  Provision is provided for two pairs of IR transmitters/receives that can span 24″ (greater for well aligned implementations).  The sensors would be place either side of the protected tracks and may be camouflaged in shrubbery, painted to look like short poles, or hidden in nearby buildings.  Short white plastic posts are available with sensor purchase for track-side installation.

This board will also support crossing bell and sounds kit (select in drop down menu!), or animated crossing gates like the Tomar version.

The primary advantage of using the IR beam is to limit cutting and isolating a section of track for 3 rail applications.  If block occupancy is used, the isolated rail may already be used.  It also directly support 2-rail implementation.  In addition, these sensor pairs may be moved if necessary.  One customer has experimented with between the ties implementation.

The final design has about 1 second of delay before turning off the signal control to allow for openings in the train or between objects in the undercarriage of the train.  Got questions?  Just drop us a line!

Additional information

Crossbuck Support

Crossbuck Driver Board, Pair of IR Units, Two Pair IR Units, Crossbuck Bell/Sounds, Controller w/IR, Simplified Crossbuck Board

1 review for Crossing Signal Detection and Driver Board

  1. Steve Lawrence

    Excellent Product and great instructions. Used this with the Custom Signals crossbuck to protect 4 parallel track near Yard. Works fine!

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