Installing a Lionel 163 or 353 signal

Search for "Which catalog is this in" and watch a video about Lionel's new 153E (Electronic, I suppose). It operates signals with an insulated rail(s). Replies state the part # and ordering info.

153C can be a pain because it's almost impossible to adjust one to work with all the light and heavy cars available today.

Hi,

  I see that the 148 Dwarf uses the 148-100 controller, is that something that could be used with either the 163 or 353? 

You can tell that I am not an electrical-wiz.

   Kevin

It looks like the 153c is nothing more than a relay.

Google MR-101 relay. They are rated 24 to 240 volt coils but are

good down to about 8 volts AC or DC. They also come in their own

mounting track and have LED's so you know when the coil is active.

For an isolated rail they work great. I have used them on our club layout

for the past 5 years and have never had a problem with them,

and for $14 it's a good choice...

shown here for 3 rail,any accessory

www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowT...=410&categoryId=

Dale H

153C is a switch, on/off type, that is activated by the weight of a train. Not a relay.

Pete

Yup you are right Pete....

I was thinking of the Lionel video using the signal and the isolated

track section.....

Use a "Track Trip" (free) as described at the bottom of this article

http://www.slsprr.net/features/wiringSwitches1.htm

#148-100 is a manually controlled double throw slide switch.

When I had block signals on my layout, I used a double throw relay, controlled by in insulated selection. That would work for anything that uses a 153 contactor.

CW,

  What did you use as the double throw relay?

   Thanks,

    Kevin

quote:

What did you use as the double throw relay?

Something out of a scrap box in an Army Surplus store.

It was a DC relay, so I wired it with a set of rectifier diodes between the power source and the relay coil.

Hi,

   Thank you all for your input, it has given me plenty to think about.

   Kevin

Hi,

    I found this via a forum post and wanted to know if it might work for me.

 "AC or DC DPDT Power Relay" at http://www.azatrax.com/track-power-relay.html

  Thanks,

    Kevin

I think those relays would work fine with an insulated outside rail to operate a block signal.

They are OK for accessories. They are a bit light to switch track power,I would recommend at least 10 amp contacts for that. . Also am not sure there is a capacitor in the circuit to eliminate chatter.

Here is a 10 amp DPDT relay with a plug in screw terminal socket,capacitor and bridge rectifier. Coils come in 12 or 24 volt DC. Relay and related parts cost $10.

Dale H

When I built my own circuit, using diodes and a DC relay, I didn't use any capacitors, and there wasn't any chatter.

Even if it does not chatter the capacitor is good practice. DC relays are not designed for pulsed current. Applying and removing voltage to the coil 120 times per second is not good for the contacts and blades and can shorten their life.

Dale H