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 Posted - February 23 2010 : 12:58:55 PM
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I wonder if anyone can help me wire a point to point layout (in practice it is just a straight 36 inch rail without any points (switches) that I use for testing new locomotives for forward and reverse running). I have been able to use switches at each end of the length of rail and it works but I know that gears do not like being switched from forward to reverse abruptly. Is there a way I can incorporate some electronic component which switches off power to rails before change of direction ? I am sure this will sound like a childish question to most of you but I have to confess I know nothing about electronics ! thanks ..Edgar
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Posted - February 23 2010 : 1:08:43 PM
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I just bought something last month on eBay that I think does what you want. It is some kind of directional controller for a trolley. I haven't hooked it up yet, but I think after the trolley reaches a certain point, you can set it to pause for a certain amount of time and then it will reverse direction.
I'll have to read the directions when I get home and let you know the name of the manufacturer. I'm planning on using it for a straight trolley track with a bumper on each end.
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Posted - February 23 2010 : 5:01:29 PM
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quote:I just bought something last month on eBay that I think does what you want. It is some kind of directional controller for a trolley. I haven't hooked it up yet, but I think after the trolley reaches a certain point, you can set it to pause for a certain amount of time and then it will reverse direction.
I'll have to read the directions when I get home and let you know the name of the manufacturer. I'm planning on using it for a straight trolley track with a bumper on each end.
Originally posted by 59Chevy - February 23 2010 : 1:08:43 PM
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thanks a lot ...I think that is probably what I need ... the settable pause should give time to loco motor stop before being reversed. Hope to hear from you again about the product that you got on ebay..thanks
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Posted - February 23 2010 : 7:19:45 PM
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It is called an "IPE Auto Reverse Unit AR-1" for HO and N scale. It is just a circuit board with diodes on it. The instructions say, "The idea is to set the time so that the trolley travels all the way from one end to the other, pauses for an appropriate time, then reverses." I think it is exactly what you need. You have to adjust the insulated area at each end of the track for the length of your engine; a long engine requires a longer insulated section, whereas a shorter engine would stop and reverse itself before it got to the end of that same insulated section.
I just looked on eBay and I didn't see another one. I "bought it now" on eBay for around $25, I think. I remember at the time there were several up for auction that went much higher than that. I can't tell you how it works because I haven't yet finished the trolley bridge that I plan to use it on and I think that may take a while because I still can't find the bridges I want.
I believe I found it on eBay by typing in "HO trolley" at the time. I remember years ago at a Greenberg show seeing a dealer with a whole shelf display of engines that ran slowly back and forth and I believe he had units like this.
Hope this helps! Good luck finding one!
Mark
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Posted - February 23 2010 : 7:25:15 PM
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Duh, I just looked on a piece of paper that came with the instructions and it has a website:
www.ironpeng.com/ipe/ and email: ironpenguin@ironpeng.com
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Posted - February 24 2010 : 8:43:33 PM
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That's a neat little gadget. I used to have an auto reverser on my old layout. It was the kind Railroader was referring to though...the kind that just jerks the engine in the opposite direction. It worked with a small light sensor at either end of the track placed between the ties. When the engine passed over the sensor it blocked out the light and triggered the "reverse".
For $25 you got a good deal. I paid about $60 for mine...that was several years ago though. With DCC and all that I guess it's "old" technology now.
cheez
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Posted - February 24 2010 : 11:04:47 PM
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I believe Lionel had the same thing except on their trollies it was a bumper that when pressed in it'd reverse 
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Posted - February 25 2010 : 07:29:00 AM
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| Bachman makes something, too, but you have to buy the whole trolley set. It comes with a trolley, transformer, track and trolley barn. I think it is a Christmas thing and sells for around $75?
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