Circuit Counter

[LostinThreeBridges]

I like to see my trains running, and as I have, probably, more locos than I need, they tend to go on shed, and a replacement loco takes the train onwards.

So, I started keeping a log of the number of laps of the track they do.  Whilst counting the laps my mind tends to wander off considering plans for new locos, track etc., so I lose count.

Therefore I am wondering if there is a suitable lap counter, (mech, analog, digital or laser) I could use.

I recall that, back in the day, Scalextric marketed one for their model car racetracks?

Any(polite) suggestions from the members of this esteemed forum would be most welcome.

Kindest regards and keep safe,
Christopher

[Malc]

The scalextric one was a mechanical one driven by a star when along side the slot. When the car hit it, it turned it 90 degrees and upped the lap count. You would need something like a photocell and a counter circuit driving a seven segment display.

[ntpntpntp]

There probably is a commercial product for model railways out there somewhere.

Ebay has an interesting selection of counter modules with infrared or magnetic proximlty detectors in the £15 - £20 range by the look of it.

[LostinThreeBridges]

Thank you folks, I will have a look on ebay - at least that will give me something to occupy my time during the ongoing, current unpleasantness.

Kindest regards,
Christopher

[ntpntpntp]

Link to a demo of a DIY counter.  Follow the link on the youtube page's description to get to the schematic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUues34h_LM

[Bealman]

That's not a bad unit in the video. It is of course, an ideal job for an Arduino, and I'm sure there'll be someone somewhere who has produced one cheaply.

The good thing is that the Arduino sensors are very small and could be hidden in scenery at the side of the track, or even under the track itself.