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The Grade Crossing circuit has a two output signal driver with two outputs allowing it to directly drive almost any signal wiring configuration.
The Grade Crossing circuit is designed to directly control crossing gates that are operated by stall-motor type switch machines.
The protected section of track can be any length on either side of the crossing. The Grade Crossing circuit works in both directions and can be
connected to other grade crossing circuits to provide fully automatic protection for multiple track crossings. One board can also be use to protect
more than one track if needed.
Printed circuit boards and parts are available for this circuit.
The 2008 Grade Crossing circuit is an upgraded version of the 2004 - Automatic Railway Grade Crossing Circuit that is available through this
site.
The 2008 circuit uses the same phototransistor control scheme as the 2004 Railway Grade Crossing Circuit and is fully compatible with the
earlier circuit for combined use at multiple track crossings.
The Grade Crossing circuit can supply up to 100 milliamps for LEDs, small incandescent lights or other circuits such as sound units or can
drive larger loads through transistors or relays.
The circuitboard has been designed to be easy to build and install. Widely available and inexpensive components are used in its construction.
None of the parts are static sensitive.
Typical flasher, bell and gate drive motor connections are shown on other diagrams.
Phototransistor Sensor Placement Diagram
The next diagram shows the relative positions of the six phototransistors along a protected section of track.
The lower portion of the diagram shows the timing of the signals and gates a train passes through the protected section from left to right. (The
delays work in both directions of travel.)
2008 Railway Grade Crossing Flasher Operation
1. When a train traveling in either direction covers one of the "START" sensors, the crossing signals will start to flash.
2. After a short delay the crossing gates start to lower. (The delay is adjustable.)
3. When the train has cleared the crossing the gates will start to lift after about 2 seconds.
(The grade crossing will be protected until both of the "STOP" sensors are uncovered.)
4. The signals will remain on for a short time after the gates are fully up. (The delay is adjustable.)
5. As the train leaves the protected section of track, the "DISABLE" sensors prevent the flashers from starting again by deactivating the
"START" sensors.
6. The "START" sensors are reactivated approximately 5 seconds after the "DISABLE" sensors have been uncovered.
Only one set of signal LEDs is shown in three of the diagrams, more sets of signals can be connected as needed.
The circuit's output can also drive small incandescent lamps connected in the same general arrangements as shown for the LEDs. Small relays
and sound circuits can also be controlled by the output of the circuit.
The 2008 Grade Crossing Flasher circuit can drive signals with 'common anode' connected LEDs such as TOMAR Industries crossing signals
without the adapter circuitry needed by the 2004 Grade Crossing Circuit.
NOTE: In some installations, while the gate drive motor is running, the crossing signals may flash very quickly. A particular cause has not
been found for this but with the potentiometer conneced as shown in the circuit above the problem can be eliminated.
Several motors can be operated at the same time if needed but each should have its own speed reducing resistor.
The power from terminals 9 and 10 does not turn OFF. If motors other that the stall type are used to drive the gates, a method of stopping them
at the ends of their travel will have to be built into the motor's power circuit. An example circuit is shown below.
Depending on its power and speed requirments, a separate power supply will likely be needed for the gate drive motor.
In the 2008 Grade Crossing circuit the 'MULTITRACK' terminal is an input only and cannot be used to control other circuits. Terminal
number 11 can provide signals to control other circuits if needed.
Normal room lighting is used to detect the trains. If night operation is needed the circuit can be controlled by other circuits or by
providing infrared light for the phototransistor sensors.
The circuit is designed to use phototransistors but can also be controlled by CdS photocells by changing the values of resistors R1, R2
and R3 or by using external resistors in series with the photocells.
Small relays could also be controlled by terminals 9 and 10.
Bell circuits and small relays can be controlled via terminal 11.
The 2008 - Automatic Crossing Circuit requires a regulated 12 volt power supply.
Grade Crossing Flasher Connection Schematic (2008)
The following schematic is for the 2008 Grade Crossing Flasher circuit for a single track crossing. Connections for the signal lights, sound
circuits and gate drive motors are shown on other diagrams.
WARNING - If the polarity of the power supply for this circuit is reversed or the circuit is connected AC or DCC source, the circuit
will be damaged. The maximum supply voltage is 15 Volts DC.
The circuitboard has been designed to be easy to build and install. Widely available and inexpensive components are used in its construction.
None of the parts are static sensitive.
The price for 1 - Unassembled printed circuit board and all of the parts is 31.00 dollars US. - Plus postage.
The price for 1 - Assembled printed circuit board and all of the parts is 36.00 dollars US. - Plus postage.
NOTE: - The above prices include 6 visible/infrared sensitive, 3mm diameter phototransistors. The phototransisitor have 5 inch - Red and
Black leads soldered to them and are tested before shipment.
Paypal. International money orders and personal cheques are OK but will have to clear before shipment.
If you are interested in a circuit board and parts for this circuit please send a message to the following email address:
rpaisley4@cogeco.ca
Parts List
Qty Circuit Part Number Part Type Digi-Key Number
2 - IC 1, 2 - LM339 - LM339NFS-ND
2 - IC 3, 4 - LM556 - LM556CNFS-ND
6 - D1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - 1N4148 - 1N4148DICT-ND
6 - Q1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - PHOTOTRANSISTORS - 160-1030-ND
- - - - - - -
1 - Q7 - 2N3904 - 2N3904FS-ND
1 - Q8 - 2N3906 - 2N3906FS-ND
- - - - - - -
3 - C1, 5 - 10uF - P5178-ND
1 - C2 - 2.2uF - P5175-ND
1 - C3 - 4.7uF - P5177-ND
1 - C4 - 0.22uF - 495-1106-ND
2 - C6, 9 - 1.0uF - P5174-ND
1 - C7, 8 - 22uF - P5179-ND
- - - - - - -
6 - R1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 - 1M - 1.0MQBK-ND
3 - R6, 7, 9 - 33K - 33KQBK-ND
4 - R10, 15, 17, 24 - 100K - 100KQBK-ND
7 - R11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 25 - 10K - 10KQBK-ND
2 - R14, 21 - 2.2K - 2.2KQBK-ND
3 - R16, 18, 23 - 1 MEG POT - 3318F-105-ND
- - - - - - -
4 - Terminal Block - 2 Position, 5mm. - ED1601-ND
2 - Terminal Block - 3 Position, 5mm. - ED1602-ND
Additional Information
For fully automatic protection of a 2 or more track crossing, the second and subsequent tracks should be protected by the 2004 - Automatic
Railway Grade Crossing Circuit.
All additional tracks will have the same flasher and gate delay times as the first.
Additional Circuits
Many of the circuits and adaptations in the Additional Circuits section of the 2004 Automatic Grade Crossing circuit page can be used with the
2008 Grade Crossing circuit.
Recommended Tools
Soldering
If you use any of these circuit ideas, ask your parts supplier for a copy of the manufacturers data sheets for any components that you
have not used before. These sheets contain a wealth of data and circuit design information that no electronic or print article could
approach and will save time and perhaps damage to the components themselves. These data sheets can often be found on the web site of
the device manufacturers.
Although the circuits are functional the pages are not meant to be full descriptions of each circuit but rather as guides for adapting
them for use by others. If you have any questions or comments please send them to the email address on the Circuit Index page.
14 February, 2010