9/23/2015 1 signal committee meeting february 5, 2013

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Signal Committee Meeting

February 5, 2013

Wiring scheme

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Front

WEST EAST

Corner Modules

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JoinerTracks

JoinerTracks

Double Gapped(Power Gap)

Single Gapped(Signal Gap)

Single Gapped(Signal Gap)

Mainline Wiring

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Terminal Strip Color Conventions

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C/MRI & Xpressnet

• C/MRI boards require a 5v regulated power supply with a common ground

• Each board has an unique address configured using a dip switch. Currently, the corners are addresses 1, 2, 3, & 4.

• We need to standardize assignment & maintenance of addresses. A maximum of 128 boards is supported.

• Baud rate for communication is set to 57,600

• A USB to Serial driver is required on the computer

• Computer connects wirelessly to the Lenz LAN-USB. The Lenz software to support serial connection does not work. The connection is via the IP address of the Lenz device directly which is simpler and works well.

• We have two laptops configured. Both have the most recent versions of JMRI (3.2). The CATS 3.2 compatible files for Designer (2.33) and CATS (2.13) are loaded. CATS controls the versioning. CATS versions will always trail JMRI releases. Do not upgrade JMRI until CATS can support the version.

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The Circular Layout Test

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Reduced Sensitivity Found

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Loops Connection State Detection Test Voltage seen BD20 LED state

1 Unconnected RRampmeter 0.30 ON1 Unconnected 4.7K axle 0.36 ON1 Unconnected Wet Finger 0.38 ON1 Connected to C/MRI RRampmeter 0.56 ON

1 Connected to C/MRI 4.7K axle 4.62 OFF

1 Connected to C/MRI Wet Finger 3.64 OFF




2 Connected to C/MRI Wet Finger 2.80 OFF




3 Connected to C/MRI Wet Finger 1.96 ON (Dim)

Baseline Voltage connected = 5.20v, unconnected = 5.74v

BD20 Reduced Sensitivity

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“Usual” BD20Wiring

HUB BD20Wiring

Wenham 2013 Layout

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How it should look

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How it did look

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How it looked after reducing DB-20 sensitivity

The Issue

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The ditzels propagate power correctly but all the ditzels are constantly show ON (occupied) and thus all the blocks between corner modules are ON even when unoccupied. The two short segments on each module function correctly.

Test Desensitizing BD20s

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The DDCOD

• The enhancements associated with the Rev. E design are:1. Increased sensitivity to resistance across the rails, i.e. actual block occupancy

2. Minimized susceptibility to false occupancy caused by stray pickup from track wiring to other blocks, that may be running closely parallel with the detected block

• Another way of looking at the situation is that Rev. E improves detection performance in the presence of electrical noise and interference from wiring to adjacent blocks.

• It requires a single +12Vdc supply rather than the balanced ±12Vdc required by the OD.

• Its sensitivity is easy to adjust with a trim potentiometer, using the monitor LED.

• Its built-in turn-on delay of .25s and turn-off delay of 3.5s greatly reduces problems from dirty track and other causes of intermittent contact.

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Comment at the Gartner Site

04/21/23 17http://www.wiringfordcc.com

Detection: Next Steps

• Link a long segment of flex track and test with a BD20 to see if long track segments.

• Link several (3-5) passive modules and add a BD20 to see if long module segments are a problem. These have ballast and multiple wire drops.

• Test BD20 desensitization with a 5-10k potentiometer

• Repeat the same tests with DDCODs.• Build a sensitometer to determine minimum

resistance for detection as described by Chubb.• Buy copies of the Chubb manuals.

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WiThrottle Issues

• Router issues– New Router. Possible settings issues. Some routers

require a connection with the internet.– May have corrupted security files on the PCs

• WiThrottle Dropout– Has been reported in the listserve according to Ken

Cameron. Not supposed to be an issue with the most recent version.

• Ken Cameron suggested a test to do at each setup. Start a virtual throttle from the laptop and prove it’s stable prior to moving to WiThrottle.

• The bottom line question is: Is this a JMRI issue or is this a communications issue?

• WiFi password: 012345678904/21/23 19

Resisted Wheelsets

• Begin the planning process• When to we start making these and how? RailFun

night? Night at Shacks? Is typically a 2 day process so this is tricky.

• We will need written instructions downloadable from the website.

• What is the optimal resistance?• How many axles?• What fraction of cars need resistors? Best answer is

100% but that may not be possible.

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Designer Training

• Shack’s site would be ideal

• I can handle 8-10 people at my house

• The good news is that Rodney Black’s documentation is in Word

• The bad new it’s 90 pages long

• Short 1 hour sessions so people could get started and use the Word document as a reference source seems prefferable

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Designer Conventions

• Active Size: 10 rows by 12 columns• Passive Size: 10 rows by 6 columns• Module Name in row 10, column 3 (passive)

or column 6 (active)• Name Position is Low Centered• Inner Track is in row 8• Outer Track is in row 9• Avoid block sizes of 1 cell

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Designer Appearance

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Designer Definitions

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Load it into CATS

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Careful Documentation

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Signal position

TurnoutDefinitions

East SignalDefinitions

West SignalDefinitions

Block Definitions

Signal Aspect Definitions

TippleChubb Board Address = 1

TRACK Segment Inner 3 (active East ditzel)Block Name: Tipple IM-W – TS3 Station: TippleSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 1001 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 1001 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 0Undefined Outer Main

Ditzel

TRACK Segment Inner 0Undefined Inner Main Ditzel

TRACK Segment Outer 3 (active West ditzel)Block Name: Tipple OM-E – TS3 Station: TippleSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 1006 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 1006 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 2Block Name: Tipple OM-E – TS2 Station: TippleSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 1004 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 1004 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 1Block Name: Tipple OM-E – TS1 Station: TippleSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 1002 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 1002 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 2Block Name: Tipple IM-W – TS2Station: TippleSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 1003 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 1003 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 1Block Name: Tipple IM-W – TS1 Station: TippleSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 1005 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 1005 Position: Throw

PastureChubb Board Address = 2

TRACK Segment Inner 3 (active East ditzel)Block Name: Pasture IM-W – TS3 Station: PastureSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 2001 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 2001 Position: Throw


Ditzel


TRACK Segment Outer 3 (active West ditzel)Block Name: Pasture OM-E – TS3 Station: PastureSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 2006 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 2006 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 2Block Name: Pasture OM-E – TS2 Station: PastureSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 2004 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 2004 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 1Block Name: Pasture OM-E – TS1 Station: PastureSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 2002 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 2002 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 2Block Name: Pasture IM-W – TS2Station: PastureSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 2003 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 2003 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 1Block Name: Pasture IM-W – TS1 Station: PastureSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 2005 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 2005 Position: Throw

BallgameChubb Board Address = 3

TRACK Segment Inner 3Block Name: Ballgame IM-W – TS3 Station: BallgameSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 3001 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 3001 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 0Undefined Outer Main t

Ditzel


TRACK Segment Outer 3Block Name: Ballgame OM-E – TS3 Station: BallgameSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 3006 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 3006 Position: Throw



TRACK Segment Inner 2Block Name: Ballgame IM-W – TS2Station: BallgameSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 3003 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 3003 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 1Block Name: Ballgame IM-W – TS1 Station: BallgameSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 3005 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 3005 Position: Throw

Twin PeaksChubb Board Address = 4

TRACK Segment Inner 3 (active East ditzel)Block Name: Twin Peaks IM-W – TS3 Station: Twin PeaksSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 4001 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 4001 Position: Throw


Ditzel

TRACK Segment Outer 0Undefined Inner Main Ditzel

TRACK Segment Outer 3 (active West ditzel)Block Name: Twin Peaks OM-E – TS3 Station: Twin PeaksSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 4006 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 4006 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 2Block Name: Twin Peaks OM-E – TS2 Station: Twin PeaksSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 4004 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 4004 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Outer 1Block Name: Twin Peaks OM-E – TS1 Station: Twin PeaksSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 4002 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 4002 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 2Block Name: Twin Peaks IM-W – TS2Station: Twin PeaksSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 4003 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 4003 Position: Throw

TRACK Segment Inner 1Block Name: Twin Peaks IM-W – TS1 Station: Twin PeaksSignal Discipline: ABSOccupied: Address: CS 4005 Position: CloseUnoccupied: Address: CS 4005 Position: Throw

Signal types

• The module group standard will be thethree triangular light G-Type signal withany number of heads. Green on the right.

• However, based upon modeler preference,any physical signal type is acceptable.

• Electrically, we will only support common anode, lighting one LED or bulb per output. Common anode B&O or PRR signals are find. Bipolar LEDs for searchlights are strongly discouraged. They can be made to work as can common cathode signals but with considerable effort that will come only from the module owner.

• We are considering and working on approaches to removable plugs. Currently nothing formal to report

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Corner Signals

• Certainly lend themselves to ABS (intermediate) signals more than control points

• Tipple may even be better without signals given it is commonly close proximity to Tipple West & Upton Throat

• Signal location choices are constrained by the location of the gaps

• Tomar double headed might be goodList price is $49.70. One on each mainline

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Commercial Signals

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#1053$32.99

#1054$34.99

#1056$36.99

#H-855$26.30

#H-865$49.70

#116$11.95

#538$19.95

NJ International Tomar Oregon Rail Supply (KITS)

SB-G$20.00

South Bend

#235$34.95

#238$44.95

#239$44.95

Custom Signal (Atlas) Integrated Signal SystemsCommon Cathode

Vendor Websites

• BLMA: http://www.blmamodels.com• Custom Signals: http://www.customsignals.com• Integrated Signal Systems:

http://www.integratedsignalsystems.com• NJ International: http://www.njinternational.com• Oregon Rail Supply: http://www.oregonrail.com• South Bend Signal Co: http://www.sbsignal.com• Tomar: http://www.tomarindustries.com/signals.htm

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Turnouts & Track

• Preferably mainline turnouts should be DCC controlled. (from the DCC Accessory Bus). This is especially true for crossovers.

• At present we do not have a preference for accessory decoder type.

• Turnout Accessory addresses must be controlled and assigned by the Superintendent and recorded

• Third track can show occupancy but does not feed occupancy information across a module boundary

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Switch-It

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Orange/Black Pair

Thanks

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9/23/2015 1 signal committee meeting february 5, 2013

Documents

cats versions

track wiring

reduced sensitivity

monitor led

wiring scheme

increased sensitivity

cmriwet finger3

cmriwet finger2