Infrared Trackside Controllers: MTH 45-1028 vs Lionel 6-14111

Yes the 153IR is the best. What i use. 

I'd go with the Lionel model hands down.  It's far more reliable than the MTH one, at least in my experience.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'd go with the Lionel model hands down.  It's far more reliable than the MTH one, at least in my experience.

GRJ-

Have you had any experience with the Z stuff sensors?  I just found a two pack lurking on my workbench.

Lou N

Azatrax makes a nice set.

Lou N posted:

Have you had any experience with the Z stuff sensors?  I just found a two pack lurking on my workbench.

No experience with their stuff, sorry.

mike g. posted:

Azatrax makes a nice set.

Yes, they do. I have several of their detectors and modules in various configurations, and they have worked without any problems for over three years. They offer several products, and their instructions are very helpful.

Azatrax

Alex

I was not able to get the MTH IR sensor version to work reliably on my layout, and ended up going to an isolated outside rail for detection. That method works well and is not very complicated to setup.

I got the MTH IR sensor to work. It has a problem with detecting FLAT BLACK locos and cars. Then a mouse got into the wiring.

Andrew

OK...I have a fancy new 6-14111 and have wired in my gateman. Everything lights but the switch doesn't fire. I checked the wires several times. Adjusted the sensitivity. Nada. It isn't the gateman. He works independent of the switch

Ideas?

I bought the Lionel model and really like it. They were sold out a few years back, but they are back on the shelves now.

George

Lionel.  No question.

Has anyone come up with a fix for the MTH ITAD?

The Lionel 153IR.

I don't have any experience with the MTH model but I have 3 Lionel 153I's and they've been working fine for just about 7 years on 2 different layouts.  The only negative is that every now and then it doesn't pick up a dark locomotive but picks up the bright cars in the consist, not a real big deal though.

Paul

I know, this thread is old, but if it helps I couldn't find any specs either so I took it apart.

The relay inside says ME-1A-5B (also a standard 7805 reg inside). The relay is very small.

Should be 1 amp contacts / 5 volt coil.

Load = 1 amp

I have the Lionel version and it picks up light colored cars Great !!!---unfortunately, it will not pick up dark colors cars like a brown boxcar.  Since I have mostly Chessie  and Amtrak locomotives and cabooses, I can usually count on the IR to activate my signal bridge.

Le TGV posted:

OK...I have a fancy new 6-14111 and have wired in my gateman. Everything lights but the switch doesn't fire. I checked the wires several times. Adjusted the sensitivity. Nada. It isn't the gateman. He works independent of the switch

Ideas?

Have you checked the switch itself? I have had some issues with the newer Lionel switches not working correctly if they even work.

I went to Gargraves switches about 8 years ago and now have gone to Ross Custom switches as they work much better then any new Lionel switch I have bought in the past 15 years.

Lee Fritz

Bobby Ogage posted:

Has anyone come up with a fix for the MTH ITAD?

AFAIK the Lionel and MTH ITAD use a different method of Infrared.  Not the best analogy but think of AM vs. FM radio.  In the big picture both do the same thing but there are cost/performance trade-offs. 

I don't have an MTH ITAD but based on my understanding from this thread on the 153IR, I believe the MTH unit could be modified to use the same method as Lionel.  Unfortunately it would require soldering and working at the component level.  Based on my earlier postings on DIY ITAD construction, very few guys can devote what little time they have to mess with this.

If one of you guys has an MTH ITAD that you've given up on - perhaps in a junk box never again to see the light of day - consider sending it to me and I'll tear it down and see if it's practical to "fix" it.