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ASPECT CONTROLLER ASP1A  

(FOR COMMON CATHODE LED SIGNALS) 

 

 

Uses an infra-red sensor mounted below the track to detect trains passing above 

 

When a train is detected, the module triggers the signal to switch to red 

 

Signal automatically switches back to green (through yellow and double-yellow if 
appropriate) 

 

Flexible programming options to suit different signals and to allow adjustment of 
timings to suit 

 

Designed for signals which need +12V to be switched to them to light their leds 
(common cathode) 

 

Realistic fading between aspects. 

 

Yellow and Double-Yellow stages will change to red if another train passes. 

Building on the success of our infra-red train detectors, this module boasts a wider 
range of input voltages, smooth fading between aspects, and the ability to be 
triggered from yellow or double-yellow stages back to red. 

This Signal Controller detects trains by bouncing invisible Infra-Red (IR) light off the 
underside of the rolling stock, and detecting the light reflected back. Once triggered 
by the train, the module runs built-programs to simulate the operation of 2-, 3- or 4-
aspect signals. 

Summary of Contents for ASP1A

Page 1: ...itched to them to light their leds common cathode Realistic fading between aspects Yellow and Double Yellow stages will change to red if another train passes Building on the success of our infra red train detectors this module boasts a wider range of input voltages smooth fading between aspects and the ability to be triggered from yellow or double yellow stages back to red This Signal Controller d...

Page 2: ...of the train having passed due to the small gaps between the rolling stock This controller is designed for connection to signals which have a common cathode common negative connection This is normally the case for UK manufactured signals European and American signals generally use a common anode connection which can be powered from our identically featured ASP2A Features No calibration required wo...

Page 3: ...he A and K terminals For each program there are two values to be stored see late for details of the options available The red led on the PCB flashes at 1 second intervals When the required number of flashes is seen see later for the list of possible choices the button is released to store the first value At this point the led comes on for five seconds to confirm the value is stored The led then st...

Page 4: ...five seconds The led will begin flashing again When you have seen 1 flash press the button You will see a long flash of five seconds and then 10 rapid flashes The reset procedure is then complete and the module will restart with factory settings and run the 4 aspect signal mode If you make a mistake programming simply repeat the process Led Connection When using leds it is important to connect the...

Page 5: ...ctor are moulded into a single 5mm x 6 5mm package that can be located below the track bed to reflect light off rolling stock Identify the leads from the diagram and connect to the terminals marked A K C and E on the PCB The wires can be extended using small chocolate block and extra lengths of cable if required not supplied ...

Page 6: ...sensitive To change the sensitivity switch off the power to the module and hold down the Push Button Apply the power and continue holding the Push Button until 9 flashes of the led are seen At this point release the button You will see a long flash of five seconds The led will begin flashing again When you have reached the desired number of flashes to set the new sensitivity press the button You w...

Page 7: ... face of the package when the default sensitivity is set for dark surfaces with low levels of reflectivity The detector can be mounted in an 8mm hole drilled through the track baseboard If required the detector can be held in place using a small amount of blutack expanded polystyrene or similar The led diameter is 2 2mm so on smaller scales the leds can still have a clear view between the sleepers...

Page 8: ...is covered the signal stays at red As the train passes over the sensor any gaps between the rolling stock which are shorter that the release time programmed are ignored Once the train has cleared the sensor and the release time expires then the red time timer starts When this expires the signal turns back to green and starts looking for trains again The release time can be adjusted if slow moving ...

Page 9: ...ates the operation of a three aspect signal which is normally showing green The module searches for a train and if one is detected in front of the sensor the signal immediately switches to red Whilst the sensor is covered the signal stays at red As the train passes over the sensor any gaps between the rolling stock which are shorter that the release time programmed are ignored Once the train has c...

Page 10: ...egin flashing again When 3 flashes have been seen press and hold the button You will see a long flash of five seconds and then 10 rapid flashes The button can now be released and the programming is complete The module will start running the program If you make a mistake programming simply repeat the process Program 4 4 Aspect Signalling This program simulates the operation of a four aspect signal ...

Page 11: ...duration for a train to clear the section of track protected by the signal The yellow time and double yellow time can be adjusted to a realistic duration for the scale To use this mode the module needs to be reprogrammed as follows To select this program switch off the power to the module and hold down the Push Button Apply the power and continue holding the push button until 2 flashes is seen At ...

Page 12: ...on a control panel then these can simply be wired in series with the signal leds The diagram below shows two leds on a control panel which will show the same colour as the connected 2 aspect signal Similar connections can be made when using 3 and 4 aspect signals BLOCK signalling RED GREEN CH3 CH1 GND RED GREEN CONTROL PANEL LEDS Detector POWER SUPPLY ...

Page 13: ...white wires These are the negative connections to the leds The exception is the top yellow led of a 4 aspect signal This has a blue positive wire and may have a black negative wire or it may share a white negative wire with the rest of the leds The following wiring diagram shows the most common wiring arrangement BLUE WIRE TOP YELLOW LED GREEN WIRE GREEN LED YELLOW WIRE LOWER YELLOW LED RED WIRE R...

Page 14: ...starts operating To change the Yellow Time Switch off the power for 5 seconds Press the push button on the PCB and switch the power back on The red led on the PCB flashes at 1 second intervals When 4 flashes have been seen the button is released to store the first value At this point the led comes on for five seconds to confirm the value is stored The led then starts flashing again and this time t...

Page 15: ...en 1 and 255 seconds is possible Lamp Fade Down Rate This is the rate at lamp leds dim down The default setting is 3 which represents the appearance of a filament lamp If the effect of an led aspect is required then set this to 9 Lamp Fade Up Rate This is the rate at lamp leds brighten when switched on The default setting is 4 which represents the appearance of a filament lamp If the effect of an ...

Page 16: ...mber of flashes is seen see later for the list of possible choices the button is released to store the first value At this point the led comes on for five seconds to confirm the value is stored The led then starts flashing again and this time the button needs to be pressed to store the second value Once the two values to be stored are entered the led flashes 10 times rapidly and the module starts ...

Page 17: ...Page 17 of 18 BLOCKsignalling www blocksignalling co uk blocksignalling co uk 2019 ...

Page 18: ... the signal leds light This module requires common cathode signals If yours are common anode they will not work with the module We do manufacture a module for common anode signals 3 The module shows a green signal for 1 second then switches to red and stays there Light may be escaping from the rear of the sensor and reflecting off adjacent material Use black tape around the rear of the sensor to p...

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