Wiring MTH operating crossing gate signal 30-11012

look at the second diagram in this link. Ignore the relay but look at the contacts. The configuration should be the same. You need a common,a normally open and a normally closed contact.

LINK 

Dale H

I am having similar problems -

I have read past posts on this subject and all seem to confirm that the scale MTH crossing gate can be wired to the 153IR using the exact connections that are shown on the instructions for both units - gate red to 153IR ac power, gate black to 153IR ac ground, gate NO to 153IR NO, gate NC to 153IR NC, and no connection needed for the gate blue wire. I ran wires from the 153IR to a small Lionel transformer and have the 153IR set to auxiliary. I hooked up the first gate this way, put my hand in front of the sensor and the gate went down normally but stayed down? I disconnected it and tried again and now nothing happens. I hooked up a second gate to a second 153IR the same way. It went down (with only one light flashing) and came back up normally several times but then stayed down with the one light that was working now on continuously?

I am concerned that I have somehow damaged the gates and/or the 153IR's. Could the gates be defective (just purchased brand new)or is there some other wiring option that is needed?

Any help would be appreciated.

I have been through 2 sets of the MTH crossing gates. I ran them off of Radio Shack DC relays connected to an insulated outside rail. I am sorry but I cannot recall how I wired them, but both sets of MTH crossing gates quit working after a few months. Usually one of the gates would stop working, or remain in the down position.

After two sets of the MTH crossing gates at $50 a pop I gave up on them. I now use the MTH crossing flashers with the bell now. I use the Lionel 153R to activate the flashers /  bell, and they have not missed a lick for at least 12 years or more.

I hope this helped.

Richard

Based on some suggestions and further testing, I was able to figure out the problem:

When plugging in the wires from the crossing gate to the 153IR I did not have enough of the insulation stripped from the wires. I was pushing the wire in as far as it would go and the internal clamp in the 153IR was sometimes resting on the insulation instead of the bare wire depending on how far in I pushed it. I stripped the wires further back and everything works. the connections are exactly as mentioned on several previous posts. Red to ac power, black to ac ground NO to NO and NC to NC.

I was able to run a gate numerous times by putting my hand over the sensor and taking it away which brought the gate down and as soon as the time cycle elapsed. it went back up.

Thank you to all who replied with suggestions.