Helvest
FleX Layout module AB400 - User Manual
User manual for Helvest
®
FleX AB400 board
1. General product presentation
1.1 AB400 train detection feedback module
The AB400 board is a module that detects the location of trains on up to 4 sections of
track, using current-absorption technology: this means that it detects where the train
is based on where, on the track, it picks up current.
This is a layout module for the HP100 motherboard. It must be plugged into the
'layout' connectors of the HP100 board and is automatically recognised by it.
To insert the module, switch off the HP100 board's power supply, ensure that the
connectors are aligned, and apply light pressure until the module is fully inserted
into the slot.
1.2 Preparation of sections
In order to identify whether
the train is on a certain
track or in a certain
position, the corresponding
tracks must first be
electrically separated.
To section the tracks,
proceed as follows:
- Conventional "two-rail"
power supply: interrupt
only one of the two rails,
either by using insulated
joints, or simply by cutting so that the rail sections are electrically insulated (figure
1A).
- "Three-rail" supply systems: with appropriate insulation ( red in the drawing)
interrupt the central conductor in the sections of interest (figure 1B)
1.3 Electrical connections
All the following operations must
be performed with the power
switched off.
The HP100 motherboard must be
powered with any voltage from 7
to 20V AC, or 7 to 16V DC. A
digital bus such as DCC is also
suitable, although for large
layouts this is not recommended
(fig. 2)
A 'net' module suitable for data
transmission must be mounted on
the HP100, such as the MVnet
MV100 module or other modules
that will be available in the future.
Fig. 3 shows the AB400
connectors in detail. In connector
(1), indicated with COM, must be
inserted the wire common to all
sections, coming from the booster
or the digital control unit. In figure 2 this wire is shown in black.
Connector (2) has the contacts for the four block sections, numbered 1 to 4: these
wires must go to the sectioned rails, also shown 1 to 4 in figure 2.
The unsectioned rail ( marked with the red wire in fig. 2) is to be connected directly
to the control unit or booster.
The track sections where presence is to be detected can be either digital or analogue.
After connecting the tracks as in fig.2, before setting up the board on MVnet, power
up the decoder and the layout and run a train on the connected block sections. The
yellow LEDs in positions 3 and 4 light up as the train runs.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
1
2
3
4
AB400
7-20 V
MV100
Control unit /
Centrale/
Booster
1
2
3
4
5
