153IR Controller and 145 Automatic Gateman

I am having the same issue and was coming on to ask the same question.

Try increasing the voltage to the 153IR, activating lights on an accessory needs less power than moving something??

Have you measured the voltage that is used when successfully testing the 145 vs. what comes out of the 153I?  That's the easy way to tell if you need higher voltage.

The 153IR can be most frustrating.  There apparently were several versions made over its history and they are not all wired the same way.

Check this out for more details:

     Lionel 153IR not working properly? (9/3/21) | JEFFREY RUCKGABER 050219

Mike

Update I got one 153IR working OK- it responds best to lighter-colored cars (yellows, whites).

I ordered some black IR reflective tape (174950439008 on that auction site) for $7 plus shipping.  It is supposed to be just semi-gloss black in light, and reflective only in darkness.  So I plan to cut it into narrower strips (it comes in 1-1/2 in. X 20" long) and place those LOW on the locomotives to reflect to the 153IR, activating the semaphores on my layout.

Two other 153IRs won't do anything, even waving a white paper in front of them, with the "sensitivity" set at max, or by trying "sensitivity" at lower settings.

I'll keep you informed as to success or failure.