Consolidated Leo posted:Dale: These cycle timed relay modules are generic in that they are not made specifically for model railroad applications. The module suggested by @trainman129 back in 2016 may do the job but I have no idea what his plan would have been. It could be done but it would take more than just this module to make it happen.
I will try to address your questions as best I can:
1. No. As you say this is a DC relay module. The DC+ and GND terminals supply power to the module. The GND does not connect to an insulated rail section.
My standard answer for DC power is to use an AC to DC buck converter that allows you to use AC accessory voltage as an input and get DC voltage out. You can set the output voltage to what you want with a built-in potentiometer. The DC+ and the GND would connect to the buck converter outputs.
Other possible sources of DC power are DC power supplies (like an ATX computer supply) or a wall wart. To see an example of the buck converter I recommend, copy and paste this number into the eBay search box:
323405457109
2. The green "control switch" terminal on the board is the trigger. You would need to have the module setup in one of the modes of operation as outlined in their description (which is not easy to understand):
Working mode:
P1 mode: after the signal is triggered, the relay conducts the OP time and then disconnects. During OP time, do the following
P1.1: signal triggering again is invalid
P1.2: signal triggers again to retime
P1.3: the signal is reset again, the relay is disconnected, and the timing is stopped
P-2: after the trigger signal is given, the CL time of the relay is disconnected, the OP time of the relay is conducted, and the relay is disconnected after the timing is completed
P3.1: after the trigger signal is given and the relay turns on the OP time, the relay disconnects CL time, and then the above actions are repeated. When the signal is given again in the cycle, the relay disconnects and the timing is stopped. Looping (LOP) can be set
P3.2: there is no need to trigger the signal after power is on, the relay conduction time to OP, the relay disconnection time to CL, and cycle the above actions; Looping (LOP) can be set
P-4: signal holding function if there is a trigger signal, time clearing, relay keeping on; When the signal disappears, time the OP and disconnect the relay. During the timing, another signal, the timing clear.
I have finally procured one of these digital boards - it is exactly as shown in Consolidated Leo's post of 11/17/19. I have it wired exactly as shown in Stan2004's post of 11/24/19 (with the common AC-DC ground). It works great for stopping the trolley, but I cannot figure out how to set the CL time after the OP time runs through its cycle. Time Adjustment Button 1 either toggles the OP time display between the ones, tens, or hundreds column, and Time Adjustment Button 2 toggles the display between 0 and 9 in whatever column Time Adjustment Button 1 is showing. If I hold Time Adjustment Button 1, it turns the display on or off.
I noticed in Stan2004's video of 11/14/19, his board has 4 buttons, and after the board cycles through the OP time of 7 seconds, it then counts down 3 seconds of the CL time. That is exactly how I need my board to be configured.
Can anyone tell me how to set the CL time?
Thanks!
Dale
