Sproston - Train Detection, the problem sorted...

Entry posted by sigtech December 6, 2015

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At last, I have been successful in my attempts to set up train detection for the hidden sidings on Sproston.!

Using new 3v leds from 'rapid' online, along with 2 core wiring harnesses, and fitting all the return wires into a choc-block,thus dispensing with the previously fitted twin copper wires for all the returns (see pictures in previous blog entry) - this has eliminated the need for any soldered joints, so I have finally managed to get the system up and running, Hooray!!

I found that it was necessary to adjust the sensitivity of the photo-electric detectors to the maximum, mainly due to their positioning underneath the upper stock storage sidings, and in doing so also discovered that it IS possible to have both green AND red leds alight simultaneously - something I was not aware of...

This means that on two of the sidings the red and green leds are lit at the fouling point - insufficient illumination being the culprit, however when a train passes over these detectors the green led goes out, and stays out if the tail of the train is fouling the adjacent siding, so it still serves the required purpose.

It now appears that a lot of the original problems that I faced on installation were in fact caused by my not realising that this is an ic device, and it acts very differently from 'normal' electrics..

i.e until you select the code for "lamp test" on the DET-8 you WILL get random leds lighting, and the former test involves the lamps flashing in a pre- set sequence - not all illuminating as I had expected!!

I have now programmed the system and it does indeed work.- so the next hurdle will be to fit point indication( yellow leds) into the small control panel, driven off 'slave 'point motors (seep pm1's), located under the board and repeating the lay of the three sets of points in the hidden sidings (oh joy- more wiring and soldering, though I'm hoping that I will be able to use six more of the plug in wiring harnesses from 'Rapid online' inside the panel and running them into more chocolate blocks..)

Really need a bigger railway - especially after all the recent new stock arrivals : Hawksworth autocoach in BR maroon - to go with the lined green 64xx pannier,another 60' collett coach- a brake composite in blood and custard - that makes 3 Colletts now -( the other pair are in BR maroon). A BR (ex SR) PMV in GREEN - makes a change!! and a BR 'pipe wagon (all Bachmann items), finally a Hornby BR horsebox in crimson,as it's such a nice model - to keep the BR mk1 horsebox from TMC company (yet more tail traffic!!.)