Gary Liebisch posted:...My first device I used is the Lionel 153 IR. Works well, but the limitation seems to be that it will only apply an AC input to the output device. What I would like to do is trigger several devices at a crossing---2 gates, crossing signal, sound board for bells, etc. To do this I would use a relay with multiple poles. Since 12 VDC relays are easier to come by than 12 VAC relays, I would like an IR device that gives me only dry contacts to which I can apply DC to activate the relay: C, NO, and NC, instead of applying the AC input to the output...
The 153IR internally connects one of the two power input wires to the "C" of the relay. The 153IR can be powered by AC or DC. Hence this means you can have the 153IR switch DC+ or DC- to your loads via "NO" and "NC." If your triggered devices (gates, signals, etc.) operate on 12V DC then you don't need an external relay. The 153IR relay contacts in the unit I have is rated 3A 30V DC or 3A 250V AC.
Separately, it's not clear to me why you say it's a limitation that the 153IR can only apply AC to the output devices? Are you saying some of your O-gauge crossing devices cannot be powered by AC?
