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Reply to "MP3 Sound for Crossing Gate"

ken's trains posted:

...The plan for sound was to have the Arduiino also trigger a channel of an 8-ch relay I have several of. That would provide 5 VDC to the player and amp.

Understood.

OK.  So the described configuration above will directly take the 5V switched-DC from your relay module and "automatically" start playing the crossing gate MP3 file.  Very simple.

But as you patiently wait for your MP3 players to transit the Pacific, note that another way to manage power is to keep the audio amplifier module continuously powered with 5V DC (since your Arduino module is presumably always powered).  Then when you need crossing-gate audio, you simply power-up JUST the MP3 player module which draws a very small current relative to the audio amp module.  The point being you can use the modest output drive capability of an Arduino to switch power to JUST the MP3 player electronics.  This way you don't need to use the relay module with its 10 Amps (!) of switching capability.  Of course if you're already using the 8-channel relay module "nearby" then so be it.  If this is something you'd like to pursue, it may cost 10 cents or so in parts (e.g., a transistor or whatever) but if space is an issue or you just like to tinker with stuff, I will elaborate.

ken's trains posted:

...At this time, friend has printed a crossing gate with a servo motor and controlled by an Arduino. We are using the side-by-side led emitter-sensor combo for crossing detection which triggers the Arduino.

When you get it all together, can you post a photo of what your friend printed.  With all the 3-D printing activity, I figure at some point someone will want a track-side enclosure to house the LED-sensor combo for a DIY IR occupancy detector (MTH ITAD or Lionel 153IR).  The off-the-shelf versions run $30-40 or so whereas the underlying electronics is less than $5 if going the DIY route.  I've figured a stumbling block has been a suitable enclosure to mount/disguise the LED-sensor combo...but if you've come up with a share-able (printable) solution, I'd be interested in seeing it.

Last edited by stan2004

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