:hellosign:
Saying hello with a quick question if I may?
I have moved into N gauge and have commenced a layout with a view to computer control through Lenz Digital and Railroad & Co. All is going well so far, schedules, timetables etc. understood and working.
My question is "where do you find 3 aspect light signals suitable for DCC control in N gauge"?
I have searched for them, but to no avail.
Could someone point me in the right direction please?
Thanks
Probably any of the signals can be connected to a DCC accessory decoder - just make sure that the signals are wired common anode, not common cathode. You need a decoder with a DC output that can be set to turn on and off permanently. If you can assemble basic electronics MERG do a cheap suitable decoder and various useful bits and pieces for interfacin.
However I don't think there is an N gauge signal that can be wired directly into a DCC bus without putting something else in between. Traintronics list some on their website, price on application, but they have been advertising them since around 2008 and to my knowledge none have appeared yet.
CR Signals do some nice 2/3/4 and route indicator signals in both ready made and kits, see http://www.crsignals.com/ (http://www.crsignals.com/)
For DCC operation I run a Digitrax system and use the CML Electronics SIGM20 to control my signals, although it is easier to use if you have the Digitrax loconet running it is possible to program it using DCC commands and once set up automatically runs all you signals correctly providing you have some sort of feed back, either spot indicators or block indicators, for CML stuff see www.cmlelectronics.co.uk (http://www.cmlelectronics.co.uk) or DCC Supplies also sell them, see http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/index.php?cPath=24_229 (http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/index.php?cPath=24_229)
no connection with any of the companies, just a very satisfied customer of them all.
I'll second Caz on both CR Signals (very nice models) and the CML boards. The SIGM20 has *lots* of internal logic to handle the "what aspect?" part though, so may be overkill if you're planning to control the signals fully from RR&Co.
Thanks for the helpful advice.
As I run Lenz and, therefore, Xpressnet, I think using the CML board will be too complex.
I have found the LDT LS-DEC-BR which seems to fit the bill.
I like the CR signals though - nice referral, so thank you.
Hi
I don't know if this site would be of interest to you regarding the use of signals in DCC. The signals sold by this company are O gauge but the controllers can fit any gauge apparently.
Regards
http://www.dcpexpress.com/train-tech-c-52.html (http://www.dcpexpress.com/train-tech-c-52.html)
I got in touch with Paul at CR Signals and he a)offered to make me some signals with positive common wiring if necessary and b) told me of a new decoder he has in stock that can be used with either positive or negative common wiring. I bought one and the following day had an old Berko signal firing away!
The decoder is highly configuable and can cope with 2, 3 or 4 aspect light signals with or without feathers.
I was very pleased with it..........just need some more signals now.
The decoder is a Signalist SC1.
Which decoder would that be. The ones I'm using that can do both have been discontinued 8(
Quote from: EtchedPixels on January 18, 2013, 11:47:35 PM
Which decoder would that be. The ones I'm using that can do both have been discontinued 8(
The decoder is a Signalist SC1.