Bachmann Trains & Accessories

Model Train Lighting Circuits
Help circuit construction, the detection circuit?

I use an infrared detector and transmitter to detect a train prescencia model. I need a circuit after a pulse of electricity turns on a light and keep it until another pulse is sent. Can someone please link me to a circuit easy to build that can do this. (555 my strobe circuit cause the chip to burst into the flames, so we need something easy to build relievedly) I want a simple system off, normally open momentary push button, when the pressure and let go I want to stay light and only turn off if the button momentarily pressed again

It seems that there are two questions here. One is for a latch circuit for momentary pushbutton. This can use a flip flop as a "D" type used to change each time it receives a clock pulse (from the infrared switch, for example). The output of Type D is the inverted Q and P. This requires a driver to operate a relay or a lamp. Type D also has direct inputs of action to set or reset / clear what could be a manual reset. Connect the inverted output Q to the D input to get the leverage (Divide by 2). Typical types of packages Double D are as 74HC4013 using a 5V DC supply. The link below shows how to connect a lamp, etc. The pulse used for the clock input needs to be "clean", a single pulse that rises and falls sharply, so it would make sense to spend the infrared detector output through a simple series R and C filter bypass and a single shot (pulse generator) to ensure this. A 555 can be used for monostable. It may be all you need. Simply gives an impulse for a fixed duration once triggered. This is true 100ms to trigger the type D (in this situation) or a few seconds or more if well to be used directly in the light of the lamp. The infrared detector needs an infrared light source and a photo diode, along with an amplifier / detector threshold photo-diode. A LDR is not working with wavelengths of infrared. The IR source can be an incandescent lamp or an infrared LED, but the IR LED will be marginal for distances greater than about 25 mm. The range can be enhanced by the addition of lenses to focus the beam .. The second link is an example of a light switch with a basic IR particular, operational amplifier. The detector is a phototransistor, but a photodiode is used in the same way, but in reverse. Other operational amplifiers may be convenient, but the circuit will be modified to adapt. This could use a 12V supply with few changes other than to adjust the LED current. If the circuit units a 555 monostable as mentioned above, the relay driver and relay are not required. Just use a resistor of 2.2K to 10K for the trigger pin .. Why the 555 fly? This is an extremely bad. Incorrect power source must be 5-12V DC, in most applications .. energy invested. The + goes to pin 8, and – to pin 1 .. Incorrectly wired. Some gross external voltage connected to it incorrectly. See link three for more details.

Model Train Lighting Circuits

If you know about DCC model trains, then you already know a thing or two about this wonderful hobby of modeling railroads.

Wiring is an essential part when we talk about model trains and DCC (Digital Command Control) is now probably the most revolutionary change in model trains circuitry.

Before the days of DCC, there was DC or Direct Current. Here you had to adjust the voltage and the polarity on the tracks to control speed and the direction of the train. The higher the voltage the faster the train moved and vice versa. The direction of the train was controlled by adjusting the polarity on the tracks. For example if the right rail was injected with a positive charge as opposed to the left rail the train moved forwards.

Another huge disadvantage was that you could actually move only one locomotive at a time.

That meant that if you wanted to move another train, you would have to move the earlier one into a siding. Not only was this complicated but it also meant you needed additional space.

With a DC setup, operating multiple trains was a nightmare. If you wanted to operate multiple trains then you had to wire different sections of the track and carefully operate it at different times to perform multiple actions. And if you did a little bit of wiring wrong you risked having a short circuit.

Sounds complicated doesn’t it?

Well, times have changed. And so has technology. With the advent of DCC, digital signals are sent direct to the DCC trains from the control unit. This means that you can control multiple trains at the same time. Different trains can travel on the same track and at different speeds. It gives you far more flexibility and ease of use. Additionally you also have control over other functions like light, sound and steam.

Furthermore, the good news is that if you have an old model controlled by DC, it is not difficult to convert it into a DCC Model Train. You simply have to install a decoder.

DCC model trains are obviously more expensive than the DC models, simply because there is much more complex electronics involved. The good point is the ease of use and the frustration saved in tackling problems like short circuits etc. This justifies the higher price you pay for DCC model trains.

To know more about this exhilarating world of DCC model trains, visit http://www.bachmanmodeltrains.com and get yourself a free report on “Model Trains Buyers Guide”.

how many lights can i connect on DC power ATLAS power supply?

have a power supply from ATLAS (model trains) rated at 15v DC and 19V ac, however it also states a total output of 7VA . approximately How many lights rated at 12-16 volts can i connect on those circuits before the power supply overloads.

What is the bulb current rate or watt rate ?
7VA has quite small power. It has about 0.5A
Calculate bulb amount = 0.5 / bulb current

Model Train Holiday Boxcar chase lights (2 cars)