Model Railway Forum

Hello all,

I have occupancy detectors (or will have) in my loops for outbound traffic from the loop itself. Do I need another 3rd detector for traffic approaching the loop from outside the loop for smooth non stop operation. It will have manual switch control as well but would like the auto operation if possible.

I haven't been able to find this in Brian's tutorials might also have missed it if its in there.

Dirk

Hi
I'm not 100% sure what you are after achieving?
Occupancy detectors will show whether or not a section of track is occupied, they don't usually control train movements. However, I guess they could do so with some extra circuitry operated by the detector. But how this would work in your case I'm unsure? Perhaps a drawing showing the track arrangement and a clear detail of what you what to happen may make things clearer.

I don'tt cover occupancy on my web site

Hello Brian,

This is what I would like to achieve if its possible. The train approaching from outside the loop and entering the loop itself. Plan is hopefully that the iP digital would switch the point to enable the train to proceed non stop. I guess the point direction would be random. As I understand it REX should be able to handle another detector I think.

I have seen this system on U tube a few times but never actually with the detector on the outside of the loop. Maybe its not possible and maybe that's why I haven't seen it in that case.

Sorry for the poor quality photo they don't actually photo copy either, which makes it hard to get a decent hard copy for the workshop.

Regards Dirk.

Hi

While I don't use DCC Concepts items, I believe that by using the attached image and moving Infra Red detector shown as Dt-b to a location before the loops point (see below comment **) so as when Dt-b is tripped by a passing train it tells the REX unit to move the IP motor to the normal 'straight ahead' position. Then as the train travels around the loop it passes over Infra Red detector Dt-a and that tells the REX unit to move the ip motor to the reverse position. The train exits the loop and of course passes over Infra Red Rt-b and that moves the motor back to normal.
** Detector Dt-b must be located a substantial distance away from the point, to ensure all carriages or wagons have cleared the point BEFORE reaching the detector Dt-b.

Hello Brian,

Concepts products seem to be the favoured product here in AU for off the shelf hobby shops. Even then supplies are really unreliable and at times they do make life complicated. Apparantly I can't use that diagram you sent without changing the motors to analog, another expense, as the iP motors can't react fast enough to Rex commands and burn out the contacts. It looks like plan A is back on and manual switching to change the point. Simple seems to be the better option.

Thanks again for your input as usual it is appreciated and does help with this learning curve.

Regards Dirk.