Nice sensors. What I did for block detection was to embed a 3mm IR photodiode under the trackbed. Then I use IR lighting from above the layout. When the train or rolling stock rolls over the sensors, it blocks the IR light thus triggering the sensor.
We have used IR sensor for years but got tired of their inability to properly adjust for changing lighting conditions, restrictions to have a source light, etc. Our Precision Detectors avoid all that and allow detection of a single track, in bright lights, LED lighting and in total darkness. You might like to check us out - although your solution does work. Regards.
Good morning all at Model Trains technology my name is Dennis and I am from the UK very interested in your videos that you do have a quick question will you ship to England. Looking forward to next week’s video
So far we have been unable to find a consistent way to ship to the UK. We ship to the EU all the time. Unless we register for a VAT number (which is not practical or possible) we have to rely on the recipient having a VAT. If you have a friendly dealer you can work with, we can arrange it.
Kato Unitrack is also my issue, Jim and I'll look forward to the sensor you're developing specifically for unitrack, I can't seem to find the Nano detector anywhere on your website so I can't see the price. Please let me know where to look. Thanks.
Wish this had been around in my younger days when I could do smaller scales like N and HO. Sure would have made things so much easier! Now into O and G, mostly G, which leads me to ask, will there ever be dwarf signals or single target L.E.D. versions for G scale?(I'm not a fan of fiber optics, give me L.E.D. versions every time!) The single targets are my favorite and preferred signals on my Railroad and would really love to see a L.E.D. version for G scale empires.(along with L.E D. dwarf signals).
@@ModelTrainTechnology where are they on your site? Seems I could only find N and HO. Looking forward to the single target signals in G, so happy to hear that!😁
@@ModelTrainTechnology Sorry, but I was referring to the "dwarf" signals in G scale that you stated were currently available, I only found them (when looking on your site) in N and HO. That's why I asked where could I find them. I thought my last statement: "Looking forward to the single target signals in G" would have made it clear I know the single targets aren't available yet, but wanted to know where on your site I could find the cost, and location to view the dwarf signals in G scale. I could only find the dwarf signals in N and HO when searching for their G scale versions.
G Scale is shown in the dropdown select button for Dwarf Signals. All the dwarf signals are identical except for scale - the G Scale dwarf picture is shown separately down the page.
We have a version that we almost finished for Unitrack about a year ago, It required us to use a CNC machine to cut the plastic track. Now that we have better electronics, we hope to finish the Kato track versions by the end of the year if not sooner.
Not directly. The signal is a digital ground (LOW). You can use our signal controller for signals or the matching Precision Detector DPDT relay that we make.
obviously, this is supposed to control things, but you did not show any of that.. hopefully, a future video will show what can be done with these devices. also, have you thought about using rj45 plugs to have these communicate with other devices. With rj45 you could use POE to power the devices eliminating the need for an external power source for each device ..
We have many more videos on our channel (over 100) that discuss in detail how to trigger gate crossings, block signals, sound and lighting. The whole eco system includes plug compatible components, power modules, etc. to make hook easy. IMHO RJ45's bulky and the cables are rather stiff. Thanks for the feedback!
Jim - Well done! You get better and more helpful with each video.
We're trying! Thanks for the comments.
Another really impressive product, Jim.
Thanks!
Nice sensors. What I did for block detection was to embed a 3mm IR photodiode under the trackbed. Then I use IR lighting from above the layout. When the train or rolling stock rolls over the sensors, it blocks the IR light thus triggering the sensor.
We have used IR sensor for years but got tired of their inability to properly adjust for changing lighting conditions, restrictions to have a source light, etc. Our Precision Detectors avoid all that and allow detection of a single track, in bright lights, LED lighting and in total darkness. You might like to check us out - although your solution does work. Regards.
Very Nice!!
Thanks!
Very cool!!!!
Thanks!
Nice!
Thanks!
Good morning all at Model Trains technology my name is Dennis and I am from the UK very interested in your videos that you do have a quick question will you ship to England. Looking forward to next week’s video
So far we have been unable to find a consistent way to ship to the UK. We ship to the EU all the time. Unless we register for a VAT number (which is not practical or possible) we have to rely on the recipient having a VAT. If you have a friendly dealer you can work with, we can arrange it.
I have been waiting for exactly this detection sensor
Great!!
With some thought and a little work on the part of the modeler, I think the sensor could be hidden and made all but invisible even in N Scale.
Yes, and the final production sensor board is even smaller.
🚅 Great video, thanks! I use Bachmann NS EZ Track on my layout, is it possible to use the NANO sensor?
You would have to cut the plastic.
Jim, Assuming the unit is driven from 12 volt DC, with a common ground -- can I connect the signal wire directly to an Arduino Uno pin?
Yes, if you make absolutely sure not to put power to the pin. It must be an IINPUT_PULLUP.
@@ModelTrainTechnology That is such an awesome product - just what I've been looking for - ordering soon.
Kato Unitrack is also my issue, Jim and I'll look forward to the sensor you're developing specifically for unitrack, I can't seem to find the Nano detector anywhere on your website so I can't see the price. Please let me know where to look. Thanks.
In the store: modeltraintechnology.com/buy/?product_cat=detectors-and-block-signals
Thanks!
Wish this had been around in my younger days when I could do smaller scales like N and HO.
Sure would have made things so much easier!
Now into O and G, mostly G, which leads me to ask, will there ever be dwarf signals or single target L.E.D. versions for G scale?(I'm not a fan of fiber optics, give me L.E.D. versions every time!)
The single targets are my favorite and preferred signals on my Railroad and would really love to see a L.E.D. version for G scale empires.(along with L.E D. dwarf signals).
We do have G scale LED Dwarf Signal now! A Single Target Signal is planned for January.
@@ModelTrainTechnology where are they on your site?
Seems I could only find N and HO.
Looking forward to the single target signals in G, so happy to hear that!😁
We have O and G scale dwarf signals in LED and the associated controller. A single target will be next year.
@@ModelTrainTechnology Sorry, but I was referring to the "dwarf" signals in G scale that you stated were currently available, I only found them (when looking on your site) in N and HO. That's why I asked where could I find them.
I thought my last statement: "Looking forward to the single target signals in G" would have made it clear I know the single targets aren't available yet, but wanted to know where on your site I could find the cost, and location to view the dwarf signals in G scale. I could only find the dwarf signals in N and HO when searching for their G scale versions.
G Scale is shown in the dropdown select button for Dwarf Signals. All the dwarf signals are identical except for scale - the G Scale dwarf picture is shown separately down the page.
Is it compatible with Kato unitrack?
We have a version that we almost finished for Unitrack about a year ago, It required us to use a CNC machine to cut the plastic track. Now that we have better electronics, we hope to finish the Kato track versions by the end of the year if not sooner.
@@ModelTrainTechnology thanks for the update.
Can you hook up LEDs to it?
Not directly. The signal is a digital ground (LOW). You can use our signal controller for signals or the matching Precision Detector DPDT relay that we make.
obviously, this is supposed to control things, but you did not show any of that.. hopefully, a future video will show what can be done with these devices. also, have you thought about using rj45 plugs to have these communicate with other devices. With rj45 you could use POE to power the devices eliminating the need for an external power source for each device ..
We have many more videos on our channel (over 100) that discuss in detail how to trigger gate crossings, block signals, sound and lighting. The whole eco system includes plug compatible components, power modules, etc. to make hook easy. IMHO RJ45's bulky and the cables are rather stiff. Thanks for the feedback!
🤠👋🚂🗯