L
OGIC
TECHNOLOGIES
R
AIL
"Sophisticated
Model Railroad
Electronics"
TM
21175 Tomball Pkwy Phone: (281) 251-5813
Suite 287 email: [email protected]
Houston, TX 77070 http://www.logicrailtech.com
Grade Crossing Pro
- Infrared detection version
Instructions
Revised 7/4/18
Getting started
Thank you for purchasing a
Logic Rail Technologies
product! Please familiarize yourself with all the instructions prior to
installing this board.
The
Grade Crossing Pro
(
GCP
) provides prototypical operation of a grade crossing. Four pairs of Infrared (IR) emitters and
detectors are used for bidirectional train detection. Detection is achieved when the IR beam from the emitter reflects off the
underside of the train back down to the detector.
Despite the use of infrared components you could still encounter false
triggering from overhead lighting. This is usually eliminated with angled sensor mounting (Figure 5b) and/or proper
sensor sensitivity adjustment (page 4).
This version of the GCP must be powered from either a 7-9V AC or 9-12V DC
power source (such as our 12VPSR). Do NOT exceed these limits!
The layout of the signals and IR components is
illustrated at left below. The illustration on the right shows a side view of the IR detection method.
The GCP operates as described next. An eastbound (left to right) train will cause the signals to begin flashing when the WF
sensor is activated. Approximately 2 seconds later the gate motor output will turn on and the gates will move down (if
present). The signals will continue to flash even if it clears WF as long as the train reaches WN within 35 seconds. Assuming
the train does this and then subsequently reaches EN the signals will continue flashing. Approximately 2 seconds after the
last car of the train clears EN the gate motor output will shut off and approximately 3 seconds later the signals will stop
flashing. If the train had not reached WN within 35 seconds of clearing WF then the GCP will assume the train has reversed.
This “timeout” will cause the gate motor output to shut off and the signals will stop flashing (~3 seconds after gate motor
shut off). Similar behavior exists for a westbound train with respect to EF, EN and WN (shut off occurs after the last car
clears WN).
You should make all of the connections to the GCP before applying power to it. You can mount the GCP
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 GCP
board has 2 configuration switches on it. Each switch is described below.
Switch Name
Meaning when OFF/OPEN
Meaning when ON/CLOSED
SETUP
GCP is in normal operating mode
GCP is in sensor setup mode
LP
No Lamp Persistence (TrueLamp2)
Lamp Persistence (TrueLamp2) enabled
The SETUP switch is used to set your sensors’ sensitivity. Refer to page 4 for the sensor setup procedure. The LP (Lamp
Persistence) switch, also known as TrueLamp2, feature provides realistic fading in and out of signals while flashing. This
feature can be used with either LED-based or bulb-based signals. Note that due to the technical nature of how this is
accomplished, it may potentially shorten the life of bulb-based signals; there are no concerns with LED-based signals!
The next two pages provide the wiring details for the crossing signals and gates (if applicable). The crossing signals fall into
3 categories:
•
Tomar’s LED-based signals
•
Other brands (including scratch-built) of LED-based signals such as Walthers
•
Bulb-based signals
Refer to the appropriate section for the type of signal you are connecting to the GCP.
