2
You should make all of the connections to the
Block Animator/2
before applying power to it. You can mount the
Block
Animator/2
anywhere it is convenient underneath your layout using the four mounting holes provided. The holes will accept
#4 screws; do not enlarge the holes as damage to the circuit board can result and your warranty will be voided!
The
Block Animator/2
board has a set of 10 configuration switches on it. Each switch is briefly described below with more
details later in these instructions.
Switch Name
Meaning when OFF/OPEN
Meaning when ON/CLOSED
SETUP
BA/2 is in normal operating mode
BA/2 is in photocell setup mode
TRUE LENS2
MUST
use this setting
Do not use this setting
SIG EB
MUST
use this setting
Do not use this setting
SIG WB
MUST
use this setting
Do not use this setting
YEL HUE
Not used
Not used
APPRL
Approach Lighting is Disabled
Approach Lighting is Enabled
SEN TYPE
Sensors are photocells or external current detectors
Sensors are infrared
SEN POL
See text in the Sensor Modes section
See text in the Sensor Modes section
FLASH YEL
Flashing Yellow feature is Disabled
Flashing Yellow feature is Enabled
Approach Lighting
The concept of Approach Lighting is quite simple. A signal remains dark (not illuminated) until a train approaches it (i.e. the
block in advance of the signal is occupied). This has been primarily used in the western U.S. in remote locations where signal
equipment operates on battery power. Having the signals unlit most of the time saves battery power as well as prolongs the
life of the bulbs. The “rule” for illumination is simple: the signal shall be illuminated when the preceding block is occupied.
The
Block Animator/2
supports this feature (when the APPRL switch is ON/CLOSED) and works as follows. Signal EB will
be illuminated whenever an eastbound train activates sensor W1 or sensor W2. Note that if the eastbound train activates and
then clears sensor W1 but after 35 seconds hasn’t activated sensor W2, then the
Block Animator/2
will assume the train has
actually reversed direction and will turn the signal off. Similarly, signal EB will also be illuminated whenever a westbound
train activates sensor W2 and will keep signal EB illuminated until sensor W1 is activated and then subsequently cleared. The
same 35 second “timeout” mechanism is in effect for this direction of travel too. Signal WB will operate in a similar manner
with respect to sensors E1 and E2. You can turn approach lighting on or off at any time. If you turn this feature OFF then the
signals will be illuminated all the time!
Tomar Semaphore Motor connections
Connections between the
Block Animator/2
and Tomar Industries’ semaphore motors are illustrated in Figure 1 using the
Eastbound signal outputs; the connections are similar for the Westbound signal outputs.
Note that the input power range
must be 9 - 12V
. The voltage will affect the speed of the turnout motor. You can supply AC or DC power using the AC
terminals.
6
7
10
5
Tomar
motor unit
connector
Figure 1 – Tomar semaphore motor connections
