MTH Crossing Gate - Help Needed

stan2004 posted:

Harleylito posted:

before I travel 40 miles to buy a new relay...

40 miles of winter driving.  

Many mail-order sources of course but after including shipping costs, if you "do" eBay, item number: 232611175804, US seller:

 

 

 

 

Thanx, Stan - I appreciate you taking the time to help me - if I need one I'll order from the bay

Paul

Your accessory voltage is 12 volts, be sure to check.  You also need a connection from accessory common to track common to make the relay work,  if you are using a separate 12vac accessory transformer.  Multiple voltage outputs on larger transformer usually have a common connection already done internally.  

John H posted:

Paul, I would just undo the power and insulated ground to the relay. If no action with the separate hookup, the relay isn’ Working. 

OK - the relay clicks when I apply separate hookup - so the relay works!

Mike is right. Just hook the commons of the two transformers together. Be sure they are in phase before you do that. 

Mike - I have the accessory common (B for black) running directly to the common bus bar terminal (see diagram) -  Is this the accessory common wire you are referring to that needs to be connected to the track common?  Or are you saying to connect an additional wire (from your wording that's what it sounds like) from the track common (outside rail) to a common terminal on the bus bar??  

Paul

I'm getting the "Image Not Found" in your last posting. 

You should be able to click on above image to enlarge.  There may be some confusion on using the terms common, ground, etc..  Perhaps this diagram based on your original photo will help.  I believe you've identified and made the connections shown as (1) and (2).  What the guys are now talking about is connection (3).  The (-) of your Accessory terminal block must be connected to the common or outer-rail of the track.  This connection is typically made by running a wire between the Accessory transformer and the Train track transformer (common to common, ground to ground, or whatever you choose to call what is connected to the outer rail).

Paul, your diagram is not showing up. You can connect the two commons anywhere it is convenient-the outside rail common to the buss bar common of accessories.

Thanks, Stan. As usual I'm typing while you're posting.

Stan, John & Mike - Don't know why my diagram isn't showing up - it does on my computer.  Based on Stan's diagram I now understand (I hope) what needs to be done.  Need to connect the common on the train transformer to the common on the accessory transformer (#3).  They are phased.  

I thank you Stan for the diagram as I am a visual learner and it helped greatly.  John's patience with me is to be admired!!!

Paul

I guess I can put the relay I had for you back on the shelf. We're going to stay with this until those blasted gates go down when a train goes by! I need to figure out how Stan does those eight-by-ten color glossy photographs with circles
And arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each
One was, to be used as evidence against us.

SUCCESS!!  Found out that I didn't have my transformers phased after all (must of had another senior moment). Once phased, not only did the gates operate but a signal bridge that I couldn't get to work for the last month is now operational !!!  Stan, John & Mike - thanx for putting up with this PITA!  The diagram Stan posted made it all clear to this visual learner.  Thanx again guys for taking the time to help relieve my frustration !  

Paul

We like   SUCCESS!!