Activated Crossing Gates

First let's look at the basic parts list:

While happy with the first attempt at the activation of Crossing Gate Signals,
 I wanted to make some minor changes to insure a smoother SLOW movement of the gates.
The original gates from NJ International, had a center mounted wire to move the gates up and down. 
Adjusting the cable activators to get a slow smooth movement was most difficult because of a
center mounted pivot point on the gates.  NJ has recently released a new version of the crossing gates,
part numbers 1165 (black stripe gates) and 1164 (red stripe gates) for HO. 
These Signals not only offer lights in both directions but have an externally mounted gate wire,
located further from the center pivot point.

I will attempt to chronicle the steps to build up the
Activated Crossing Gates as I install a pair on Grand Valley addition to the layout.


 Activated Crossing Gate Video - small version (just gates)

 Activated Crossing Gate Video - large version (sound and train)

Circuitron DT-1 or DT-2 Crossing Gate Detector *
Circuitron FL-2 Alternating Flasher
Circuitron Remote Signal Activator part # 800-8100
Circuitron Extra Cable and Activator part # 800-8101
Circuitron Tortoise Switch Machine
Circuitron External Relay ER-2 or DIY version of relay **
NJ International Crossing Gate Signal Set (determined by your gauge)
12 volt DC power Supply
Screw drivers, Pencil Type Solder Iron and Electrical solder, wire, wire cutters, assorted screws etc.

* any detection circuit will do - photo/light sensor or Infrared
  DT-2 is deluxe detector, offering logic type detection. 
** can substitute a Do-it-yourself version of a relay shown below
Note: While the circuits above will work with AC Power Supply;
the board is powering a DC only Relay. 
Therefore you MUST use a 12 DC power Supply. (plans to build your own will follow!)

Here are photos of the parts

Relay to detection circuit hookup diagrams

This is everything you need to get started on your own!
However, I will be updating this section with pictures and dialog as
I finish each stage of the project if you need the step by step setup.

First phase is building the DIY external relay, as the Circuitron ER-2 is often hard to acquire. - Finished

Second phase: assembling the detector, flasher unit, relay unit and the sensors. - Finished

Look for these updates soon!!
Third phase: assembling the remote signal activators.
Forth phase: configuring the crossing gate signals and adding them to the layout.
Fifth phase: building a 12 Volt DC Power Supply
large enough to handle all the signals and light for your layout
 

Not much to add here.  First Cut the PC Board exactly in half as shown. 
The whole board is not needed; two relays can be built from one board. 
I have marked in blue the holes that should be used for the relay pins.
The relay should "straddle" the center of the board, on the
opposite side of the copper clad portion.  Be careful "seating" the relay,
as the pins need to be aligned with the holes. 
You will find it a very snug fit. The pin outs of the relay are shown looking at the relay from the bottom;
these are the actual pin locations.  The main drawing shows the LOGICAL wiring from the TOP of the relay;
This drawing DID not follow the Radio Shack relay pin outs so I added colors
to match the actual pin out locations. 
Be careful here to follow my color coded connection points. 
Solder the pins and wires carefully, inspecting closely as you go
to insure solder does not "run" over into the other lands that may cause a short.
This is the relay setup I am currently using for my Activated Crossing Gate Signals.
        (remember I accept no responsibility for any damages; use this project at your own risk.)

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(updated October 1, 2006)