Engineer-Joe posted:...
Notes: I'm running 2 rail and would probably need optical like in Stan's video above? I've read old posts about 2 rail using resistors on wheel sets of rolling stock to trip circuits? I think I'd like to keep it simple and just get something going.
What is that optical sensor you used Stan? or what is meant for the occupancy detector?
The module on the left of the video is just a photoresistor relay for less than $2 (free shipping from Asia). It has a CdS sensor as used in night-lights and similar widgets that turn on a light or whatever when it gets dark. It was just to demonstrate how a switch closure (the relay) as an occupancy sensor. So I put my hand in front of the sensor (which was in some black heat-shrink to give it "tunnel vision") and it gets dark and the relay triggers.
To your point, to keep it simple you definitely don't want to go with the resistor wheel-sets for 2-rail operation. These require a current-sensor to detects power beings drawn by the consist in the block. Obviously the engine is no problem as it is drawing power. But your rolling stock would need a special wheel-set every so-many cars.
I'd say your best bet is something like an MTH ITAD or Lionel 153IR optical detector. These are kind of spendy in my opinion ($20-$40). So if you're willing to do some DIY with IR LEDs and phototransistors, or IR modules from eBay, you can get the cost down to a couple bucks each. I've shown many ways to do this in previous OGR threads which I can dig up if there's interest.
