Tanker man
G scale and 5 inch ride on
I am looking for help with a simple flip flop circuit to display the direction of a point motor.
I know there are many ways to switch points but this is the way I have chosen, which would suit my situation, if I could get it to work.
I have constructed a switching station for 6 points using centre off, double throw, non locking, double pole micro switches, the left hand side for switching the point motors, the right hand side for operating the flip flop circuit.
The AC for the point motors comes from an LGB power unit, from the switch , it passes through opposing diodes to operate the point motor, as per the LGB switch box.
The flip flop circuit uses BC 547 transistors and red and green LED’s to display the direction the point is switched to and is powered by 9v dc.
Both circuits work ok individually, the problem comes when both circuits are powered. Everything works except that randomly, when a switch is thrown, the LED’s ‘jump about’, which leaves them displaying incorrect information.
I have checked to make sure that there is no wiring contact between the two circuits.
There is good separation of the circuit boards in switch box, the only thing I am not sure about is the fact that all of the wiring for both circuits runs in the same loom. I have used 7/.02 wiring.
The son of a neighbour, who is someone ‘wot knows’ suggested using an inductor and capacitor to phase shift the AC to overcome the problem, I have the components but have not been able to make it work from his diagram. He has now returned to Durham and I am not able to contact him.
If there is someone on the forum with the knowledge to help me, I would be eternally grateful, perhaps it may be better to set up a private conversation instead of filling up forum space?
If we could get the system working, I would be more than happy to publish the instructions on here for the benefit of others.
Thanks in anticipation
Dave
I know there are many ways to switch points but this is the way I have chosen, which would suit my situation, if I could get it to work.
I have constructed a switching station for 6 points using centre off, double throw, non locking, double pole micro switches, the left hand side for switching the point motors, the right hand side for operating the flip flop circuit.
The AC for the point motors comes from an LGB power unit, from the switch , it passes through opposing diodes to operate the point motor, as per the LGB switch box.
The flip flop circuit uses BC 547 transistors and red and green LED’s to display the direction the point is switched to and is powered by 9v dc.
Both circuits work ok individually, the problem comes when both circuits are powered. Everything works except that randomly, when a switch is thrown, the LED’s ‘jump about’, which leaves them displaying incorrect information.
I have checked to make sure that there is no wiring contact between the two circuits.
There is good separation of the circuit boards in switch box, the only thing I am not sure about is the fact that all of the wiring for both circuits runs in the same loom. I have used 7/.02 wiring.
The son of a neighbour, who is someone ‘wot knows’ suggested using an inductor and capacitor to phase shift the AC to overcome the problem, I have the components but have not been able to make it work from his diagram. He has now returned to Durham and I am not able to contact him.
If there is someone on the forum with the knowledge to help me, I would be eternally grateful, perhaps it may be better to set up a private conversation instead of filling up forum space?
If we could get the system working, I would be more than happy to publish the instructions on here for the benefit of others.
Thanks in anticipation
Dave