![Heathcote Electronics](/img/default-banner.jpg)
- 34
- 104 230
Heathcote Electronics
United Kingdom
Приєднався 7 лип 2021
Heathcote Electronics design and sell a range of controls for model railways. These include devices for infrared train detection (hidden sidings), automatic signal controls both semaphore and colour light, servo controls including bouncing semaphore signals, lighting effects and kits for uncouplers and level crossing gates. We also offer a large range of shuttles and station stops with built in signal and point control. The DCC Accessory Decoder 1 is our latest product .
On our channel we are adding videos to explain how to use our controls together with information about electronics for railway modelling.
On our channel we are adding videos to explain how to use our controls together with information about electronics for railway modelling.
Provide contacts for Peco Seep and Hornby point motors with the latching relay board..
Illuminating feathers on signals interlocking signals to points and switching the polarity of frogs all require point motor contacts. This video shows how to add contacts to solenoid point motors using Heathcote Electronics Latching Relay Board.
Переглядів: 760
Відео
The Electrics of Point Frogs
Переглядів 1,6 тис.7 місяців тому
Some ways to make model railway points more reliable are simply explained.
Christmas Servo Snowmen
Переглядів 3139 місяців тому
Everything including the see saw is operated by 4 servo motors, 2 Dual servo controllers and an IRDOT-1, which tells the 2 snowmen to watch the approaching train and the snow rabbit to move out of the way.
Automating Semaphore and Two Aspect Colour Light Signals realistically with an IRDASC-3
Переглядів 2,7 тис.Рік тому
Block sections, interlocking to points, track isolation, reverse running, connecting to different signals are all explained using Heathcote Electronics IRDASC-3.
How to build a model limekiln for your railway
Переглядів 288Рік тому
How to build a model limekiln for your railway
How colour light signals are wired.
Переглядів 947Рік тому
And how to test them without blowing them up. Using LEDs for signals and how to wire and test your signals and find out if your signals are common positive or common negative.
Automating Dapol Signals with Heathcote Electronics Controls.
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
An introduction to realistic automation of semaphore signals using Heathcote Electronics controls. We still need to explain how to interlock with points, how to add isolation sections, how to have a signal box style diagram where occupied blocks light up on the track diagram and how to provide block signalling where a block section cannot be entered until it is empty.
Synchronise your Signals - Preview
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
Preview of our upcoming video on how to simply make your model railway signals work realistically. With 3 signals in a row along a line. How to warn that the next signal is a feather with a flashing yellow.
How to make your Colour Light Signals work realistically.
Переглядів 1,4 тис.Рік тому
The automatic and realistic control of MAS (Multi Aspect Signals - also known as colour light signals) using Heathcote Electronics MAS Sequencer. 2 aspect (red and green lights) 3 aspect (red, yellow and green) and 4 aspect (red yellow green and yellow) . The wiring could not be simpler!
Shuttle with realistic slowing and acceleration
Переглядів 2,2 тис.Рік тому
Heathcote Electronics SA1 provides a shuttle for DC (analogue) Model Raillways. It gives realistic adjustments for speed, acceleration and braking. This video demonstrates some of its features. For more information about this and our range of similar automatic controls and online purchases please visit our website ;- www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
How an arriving train can activate effects using an IRDOT-2.
Переглядів 9552 роки тому
This shows how an IRDOT-2 can switch on and off accessories when a train arrives and departs. It also shows how to use infra red detection within a building. This method can be adapted to many accessories including those operated by servo motors, an example of which would be a crane''s arm swinging out to unload a wagon when a goods train arrives. For more information and online ordering click ...
Welder Effects for your Model Railway
Переглядів 1,1 тис.2 роки тому
it's easy to bring a model welder figure to life using a tiny LED and our Arc Welder Effect board. Further episodes will demonstrate how to co-ordinate the welder figure with the train's movements. Langley Models also make 'N' gauge model welder figures.
Automating Semaphore Signals
Переглядів 11 тис.2 роки тому
Let your trains change your signals and eliminate SPADS (Signal Past At Danger) from your layout.
See how your Points are Set
Переглядів 8 тис.2 роки тому
Our Point Indicator Standard gives an LED indication of the position of points. You can wire up to four switches to it. It works with Hornby, Peco and Seep point motors.
DCC Bouncing Semaphore + INTERLOCKED Points
Переглядів 6382 роки тому
DCC Bouncing Semaphore INTERLOCKED Points
Bouncing Semaphore Signals in Detail
Переглядів 3,3 тис.2 роки тому
Bouncing Semaphore Signals in Detail
Operating points with below baseboard servos
Переглядів 3,5 тис.2 роки тому
Operating points with below baseboard servos
More Infra Red Train Detection with the IRDOT-1
Переглядів 1,6 тис.2 роки тому
More Infra Red Train Detection with the IRDOT-1
C D U - Capacitor Discharge Unit Explained.
Переглядів 4,7 тис.2 роки тому
C D U - Capacitor Discharge Unit Explained.
How Peco and Seep point motors work and how to wire them.
Переглядів 3,4 тис.2 роки тому
How Peco and Seep point motors work and how to wire them.
A glimpse of the Churnet Valley Railway
Переглядів 1272 роки тому
A glimpse of the Churnet Valley Railway
Controlling Servo Motors on your Model Railway
Переглядів 13 тис.2 роки тому
Controlling Servo Motors on your Model Railway
The Motorised Private Siding Gate Kit
Переглядів 3,5 тис.2 роки тому
The Motorised Private Siding Gate Kit
Hello Heathcote Electronics I have 80+ of your infrared detectors controlling my layout, they are wonderful! ua-cam.com/video/wyQ6fVxJDTA/v-deo.htmlsi=JHgQ7rmntxQLckaH
First video I've seen as a newbie with no electrical smarts that explains point control. Is there any benefit to adding a capacitor in this circuit? I'm planning an n gauge small DC layout with 4 or 5 points that I won't need to be changing at same time. Thanks
Love everything about this Clive, it has given me so many ideas for different uses ,the seesaw is brilliant and the pop out rabbit feature has got me thinking
I really like your method for switching the point. It has the advantage of having linear movement. The usual method is a straight piece of piano wire attached to the servo. When the point operates the wire rises in the locating hole. The servo needs to be adjusted accurately, otherwise the wire sticks up and fouls the rolling stock.
Thanks for your comment. The other possible advantage is that its easier to make a hole than a slot. However there seem to be numerous ideas on how to link servos to points.
One of the best explanations I have watched on UA-cam.. some of it opened my eyes and was a light bulb moment. Thanks
Many thanks, pleased my explaination made sense.
These systems are fine to include indications on a control panel, but shouldn't be relied upon to indicate the actual position of a point. I have operated many layouts using solenoid style point motors, and the one thing I have learned is that they are not 100% reliable. You can flick a point switch, but it's not 100% guaranteed that the point will actually move, especially if the point motor or it's connection to the point is a bit 'sticky'. The indicator, however, will show that the route has been selected, which could lead to derailments if relied upon.
Thank you for your comment. Although it is true that the Point Indicator could be fooled by a sticky point motor the problem is solved by making the point motor operation reliable, solenoid point motors are very reliable but need to be mounted without introducing a lot of friction, wired with sufficent gauge of wire and operated with sufficent voltage and current. A CDU will increase the current.
@@heathcote-electronics Completely agree. However, it's one reason I moved away from solenoid motors to servo, as it didn't seem to take much for a solenoid to become unreliable.
I@@delboy1727 I also prefer servos for point motors. Other advantages are realistic movement, you can use a 2 or 4 pole switch so you have 1 or 3 contacts spare. The servo is continually powered so pressing the point blade against the stock rail, handy for scratchbuilt points or if you have lost the spring out of the peco point and you can power it from 12 volts DC which is more easily obtained in a sealed unit. And an extra reason, if you give too much power to the solenoid point motor it will switch the point with so much force that the point will eventually be damaged by the impacts.
Hand held cams sucks
True, we have a tripod now.
Is there a reason you did not use 24V DPDT bistable relays? These can operate off the same switch lines as the points motors and also retain their position in the event of power loss.
I am sure that would work well with solenoid point motors. However I wanted the relays to be switched with a low current when used with my detectors for reverse loops. Also the bistable relays appeared to be a more expensive solution without terminal blocks or LED indication of which way the relay has switched. Actually if you take the negative from the CDU to the point switches and connect the negatives of both the 24 and 12 volt supplies you could use the same switch lines but considering there is only a very small price difference between the two types of switches I thought using a DPDT switch made the wiring simpler to understand and fault find,
That all makes perfect sense to me. I've been using the 24V bistables to overcome failures on old insulated frog points to provide the track switching. I locate the relay next the point so wiring is minimal (in length at least) and don't need the LED confirmation. @@heathcote-electronics
@@OOElectronics It sounds a good solution for what you want to do. With below baseboard point motors I had success by using the rod that fits in the tiebar (which extends below the point motor) to push against a micro switch mounted on a block of wood.
@@heathcote-electronics Peco do (or used to do?) plastic switches that got glued onto the bottom of their motors to do the same. I think there are still a few around on my layout. I've been using microswitches hidden on the surface to detect point position for my microprocessor controlled points and signals - a project that has grown way beyond where I thought it was going.....
If you want to know more about related topics: Capacitor discharge units CDUs ua-cam.com/video/0a5Rt3w1XRA/v-deo.htmlsi=mJ1TLDWox3X1RRk4 How point frogs are wired ua-cam.com/video/7D7JbUlCG0o/v-deo.htmlsi=dfOSqTjKAReZ5lzT How solenoid point motors work ua-cam.com/video/nId_3lv1Gdo/v-deo.htmlsi=gQBme1FZefW1seE4 Point indication with the point indicator ua-cam.com/video/FdfYuyOye3E/v-deo.htmlsi=R2pybdT7lhdvUZtN We have an informative website at www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk with online ordering.
I found this a really good and informative video, thank you for putting it out there.
Pleased you liked it.
@@heathcote-electronics rails point motors use green as the common return though. Good little motors. Really easy.
I note the difficulty of bending the 1mm. piano wire accurately. I have used paper clips for switching all my N scale pointwork. My track was laid in place before I considered the fitting of motors so the linkage is visible alongside my points. Any incorrect bending is easily rectified by simply using a new paperclip, and for the record, I have not yet had to replace any of my paperclips through breakage.
Thanks for the tip.
Excellent video let down by poor sound quality
Sorry about that but it was one of our first videos and I think we have improved the sound on more recent ones. Also now use a tripod so we no longer induce seasickness on viewers.
Our website is at www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Hi. i have listend to lots of people talking about model rail electrics and they normally put me to sleep because instead of talking about the topic they want to show you the trains they have and the layout and then proceed to prattle on about o.01% voltage drop and loads of stuff that is really irrelavent WELL DONE MATE WELL EXPLAINED AND KEPT ON THE TOPIC i will now have a look at your other vids without the fear of falling asleep👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for your kind comment. Perhaps You Tube needs a more advanced algorithm which ranks for prattling!
Hi
The snow rabbit is moved by a servo motor. The arm connects to the rabbit by piano wire which passes through a 0.8mm diameter hole in a wooden block . The servo motor is operated by Heathcote Electronics Single Servo Controller. The Single Servo Controller is activated when our IRDOT-1 infra red detector senses the approach of a train. Alternatively it could be operated by an on off switch. If we had wanted the rabbit to pause in the porch we could have used an IRDOT-1D (delay). If we wanted a bigger movement we would have extended the arm on the servo motor. Our website is www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Thanks Clive. Keep the innovation coming in 2024.
I hope to. Thanks for the comment.
I think another Christmas I shall have ago at something like that, very good thanks for sharing
We hope to make a video showing how easy it was to do this. The snowmen were modelling clay with a cocktail stick to make their heads rotate. Thanks for your comment and happy christmas.
The animations on this video were all easily done with our servo motors and servo motor controllers. For more details see our wewbsite www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Zabardast bro
Very cool, can I use something like the DCC concepts chrome mounted LEDS with your device? Thanks
If the LEDs are the standard type and not the 5 volt or 12 volt type then you can. But if you look at a supplier such as Rapid Electronics you should find nice mounting clips.
Great video - I'm on your site now looking at these :) perfect!
Many thanks for your kind comment.
Hi my mdf baseboard is 12mm thick. I’m going to add on top some extruded styrofoam 10mm thick. And on top of that I’m thinking of using scenics track bed of 3mm thick so making the thickness overall 25mm, 1 inch. Is this to thick/high for your infrared sensors? Thanks Steve
Yes it is for the standard versions which have 22mm long infra red devices but you could use the EW versions eg IRDOT-1EW instead of IRDOT-1. These have the infra red sensor and emmitter on 18 inch wires.
@@heathcote-electronics is just 3mm a deal breaker? I would have thought with the beams pointing upwards and the trains having reflective tape underneath ( say aluminium) it wouldn’t be that crucial. Is the tolerance really very very small? Thanks Clive
You are correct 3mm in distance is not significant, the range is around 2 inches, However the problem is that if the infra red devices are not at the top of the hole you may get the infra red reflected off the sides of the hole or the underside of a sleeper partially over the hole. If requested I can make the infra red devices taller, up to 30mm. @@stevio7777
@@heathcote-electronics thanks for that Clive I’ll bear it in mind. The thing is I’m new to all this and I’m starting with Hornby TT120 running the engines with my iPad via Bluetooth. (DCC) But I would like to automate my layout as much as possible. I’m thinking of using JMRI. But being as the loco’s are controlled via Bluetooth it’s a challenge as how to go about it. Lol
Hello. So if the block is occupied up ahead or the points haven’t been switched does the train automatically stop then until the block is clear or the points are switched? Many thanks
Yes if you wire in the isolation section. In fact both the block needs to clear and the points switched before the signal goes to clear and the power switches onto the isolation section.
Is automatically bringing the train to a stop (including for DCC) achieved just by cutting power to the isolated section of track. If so, does this not bring the train to a very sudden stop?
You are correct. However if the train is running slowly you cannot discern a difference between a sudden and gradual stop. If you want gradual stops with DC then we have the SA7-SB controls. For DCC there are 2 methods you can use. Brake on DC (all chips should conform to this but some Hornby do not) or ABC braking (mostly Lenz chips). The isolation relay on the IRDASC-3 could switch in either of these although you also need the IRDOT-3D for brake on DC to avoid a short circuit on the track.
Our website is www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Nice
Does the infrared sensor itself need setting up in any way, or just placing in a chosen place in the track?
The sensors normally fit in a hole between the sleepers. They are positioned where you want the signal to return to danger when the front of the train is detected.
Thank you - I just wondered if they needed programming for either 2,3, or 4-aspect colour signals... @@heathcote-electronics
@@MaboPete We have different circuit boards for 2,3 and 4 aspect.
Thank you - I'll get a bit further with the layout and see just what I want.@@heathcote-electronics
Our website is at www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Our website is www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk,
This is exactly what I was looking for! 😃Are you able to produce this in TT120 Scale 🙏
As the circuit board is hidden away it is suitable for any scale including TT120.
@@heathcote-electronics Awesome, So what would I need to get this installed? I'm currently analog but will be going DCC in the future.
@@LetsMakeTracks2023 You need our welder board and a 12 volts DC or 16 volts AC power supply and a tiny blue LED all of which can be bought on our website www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk. The welding figures are from Langley Models I do not know if they have your scale.
We have a website at www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Great video, and perfect timing. I purchased your IR signal sequencing boards years ago when I was modelling in OO and it was/is just a fantastic product - I held on to them when I switched to N gauge but unfortunately my N gauge signals from Absolute are common positive for some reason, so these boards will be toast. I'll drop you an email to discuss this product for my pannel and see if you have an alternative sequencer for common positive.
Brilliant video. Very interesting. Can I please ask? With regards to the Servo Motor Controller, am I right is thinking that I would need one of these controllers for each servo? So if I was to have a layout containing 10 x points, requiring 10 x servos, then I would also need 10 x Servo Motor Controllers?
Thanks for your comments. You are correct that you would need 10 Single Servo Motor Controllers but you would only need 5 Dual Servo Motor Controllers.
Is it possible you could make a feather one for 2 routes because I have a strange setup
The existing MAS Sequencer RI can control 2 feathers. A SPDT contact operated by the second point motor can route power to the correct feather. The contact on the first point motor connects to the OI terminal as normal.
@@heathcote-electronics oh didn’t realise lol I get it now
Brilliant video Clive ;-) I hope all is well with you.
What a nice surprise. If you want a catchup my email is cah@heathcote-electronics.co.uk
This is excellent, just what I've been looking for.
what could have been a really useful video was let down by the sound quality
Keep rocking
For more information visit www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk. You can also find more videos about operating semaphore and colour light signals on this you tube channel. Click on the signal head icon to get to the channel homepage.
For convenience use this link to order the MAS Sequencer or MAS Sequencer EW www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk/mas_sequencer_ordering.html The link below takes you to our website www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
D1, D2, D3 and D5 refer to terminals on the SA1 board. We make other shuttles, the SA1-S which has control of a starter signal at each end of the line. The SA1.1 and SA1.1S which are like the SA1 and SA1-S but have the additional capability for one or more intermediate stops. The SA9 and SA9-S which have a siding at one end of the line so that 2 trains shuttle alternatively. The SA2 and SA2-S which have a siding at both ends of the line. Our website is at www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
We're can I bye this item
Thanks for your interest. Our products are only sold by mail order. You can order them from our website www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk. The circuit board is a Single servo Controller, we also sell servo motors brackets etc but most servo motors are compatible with the Single and Dual Servo motor controllers.
It would be better to connect the piano wire to the inmost hole in the control arm to give the Servo more leverage.
It would give more levarage but servo motors have so much torque its not necessary and it would raise the height of the connecting wire.
For more information and to place orders our website is at www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Is there a way to use a DCC Block detection signal to trigger the signal? Or can you only use the infrared signal?
The circuit board could be modified so a dcc block detection would trigger it. However I deliberately kept my signalling system isolated from the dcc system for simplicity in wiring.
@@heathcote-electronics This automatic signal board is perfectly suited to my requirements if it had a DCC Block Detection input. I am looking at integrating DCC ABC braking circuits that are controlled by the signal DANGER output to control the previous block (thus slowing DCC Controlled trains to STOP before the signal at DANGER) This is not as reliable with IR detection.
@@sydneyanonymous5660 What output have you got from the dcc block system? I have not encountered any problems with the reliability of infra red detection. My email is cah@heathcote-electronics.co.uk.
For online ordering our website is www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk
Superb gantry, kit or scratchbuilt?
One of our customers built this gantry. I think it's based on kits. Seven of the sigal arms are operated by servos controlled by our Bouncing Semaphore Sequencer boards.
@@heathcote-electronics It was the bouncing signals that first got me to watch, I will have a few that will need doing in the not too distant future. I also have need of a couple of gantries hence the comment. Thanks for the reply
Hi, like the other contributor I stumbled across you tutorial in my research into bouncing semaphores. Very fascinated by the ingenuity of your product; looking forward to future instalments.
Just subscribed to you your channel , interesting stuff
Could use more info on the controller for the servo motors, interesting idea
Hello here is the link to a video with more information about our servo controllers. ua-cam.com/video/9XBgrMqG7zc/v-deo.html The segment about the controller starts at 1.33 min. Information and wiring diagrams are on this page of our website - link below www.heathcote-electronics.co.uk/servo.html