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 Posted - July 07 2010 : 10:51:36 PM
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I'm wondering if anyone of you has used one of these units that control flashing lights at railroad crossings. Looks to be a pretty cool piece that from what I gather works off of little motion sensors that come with it... Price seems fair enough...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360278635066&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
Edited by - walt on July 07 2010 10:55:12 PM
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Posted - July 08 2010 : 9:41:36 PM
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Looking at the sensor in the picture, it looks like there are two metal contacts stacked on top of each other. When the train passes over, the wheels push the contacts together. The board probably makes the lights flash at a steady beat. I've never tried one, but for $10 it probably wouldn't be a bad investment. Let us know how it works if you buy one
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Posted - July 08 2010 : 10:34:32 PM
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You can tell from the photo that it is based on a 555 timing circuit. It is a pretty simple design and I would think it should work well. I was thinking of building something like this from scratch with a 555 timer integrated circuit but if someone else is willing to do the work and ship it on a pcb and everything then I would say it is for sure worth $10. Parts and labor considered I'm surprised it isn't more. Let us know how it works out if you pick one up.
~CamdenLine
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Posted - July 08 2010 : 11:24:19 PM
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You guys are right. I did not even look at the second photo with the little switches operated by the wheels.
QUESTION: Claims will not work if train is stopped on crossing. Is this because most likely a wheel is not on the switch?
At $14.00 total, I could eat one if I had to and justify the cost. I'm going to buy one soon...
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
Edited by - walt on July 09 2010 01:05:31 AM
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Posted - July 09 2010 : 2:30:51 PM
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I think what'd work better would be those electronic eyes Like the ones used for the nightlights that go on at dusk & off at dawn 
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