Talking Electronics

LEVEL CROSSING MODULE FOR MODEL RAILWAYS

Item Description
New LEVEL CROSSING MODULE For Model Railways.

The model railway units will work on any scale available.

On almost every model railway there is at least one place where road and rail cross. If prototype practice is to be followed, some way of making the crossing safe is needed. There are several ways of doing this, including gates, booms and crossing lights. Presented here is a fully automatic light flashing unit that can detect trains coming from both directions on one track or one direction, on each of two tracks. It can be expanded to cover four tracks in both directions with the crossing expansion kit.

After the train has passed the lights will continue to flash for fifteen seconds or for the predetermined time that is set.

The level crossing module is just one of four part modules. The level crossing is designed to be an expandable module. There are three more modules that can be added, they include the crossing boom control, the crossing sound and the crossing expansion.

Download the movie.

 

INSTALLATION AND SETUP
-Connect in the MEL-12 photo-transistors as shown in the photograph. Connect a lamp to each output and connect the unit to 12 volts.

-Place the unit in an area that is lit similarly to your model railway. Set both trim-pots to the centre of their travel. Cover one of the photo-transistors. The lights should start flashing. If they don't, adjust the corresponding trim-pot until they do. Uncover the photo-transistor. After about fifteen seconds the lights should stop flashing.

-Four lamps can be driven off each output because medium power transistors have been used. They will not be in continuous use so heat-sinks are not necessary.

 

-The MEL-12 photo transistors are set between the sleepers of the track If there is not enough ambient light, mount a street light near the photo-transistor.

-The unit is not limited to spanning one bidirectional track or two single direction tracks. The Crossing Expansion, allows it to span four bidirectional tracks.

-The MEL12 sensors are placed on either side of the Level Crossing if bidirectional traffic travels along the track. the distance between the sensor and the Level Crossing should be between 15 and 30cm. There should be 15 to 30cm gap between the crossing and the photo-transistor, depending both on scale and the speed at which the train will travel. If the train travels along the track in one direction, only one sensor is needed because the delay in the circuit will allow enough time for the train to pass.

- Each of the individual train modules contain extensive articles included with them. These articles contain topics and content such as: Introduction and explanations, module uses, how the circuit works, Circuit diagrams, photos, connection diagrams and more.

 

 

Package includes:
1 x Level Crossing module (with screw terminals.)
2 x 3mm Sensors. 1.5m length.
1 x Detailed Instruction Manual

Items not included:
12v DC Plug Pack to power the unit.
Crossing lights with LED's or Lamps.