Z Scale Crossing Signal

[Jesse6669]

I need a couple crossing signals for the East Norwood layout and couldn't find any commercially available.  So, I went searching on the various 3D printing sites--and the best I found was an N scale one that required some tricky assembly.  I decided to make my own in Z using that design as a starting point.  I found some plans on the internet--there are many available.  For example:
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Here's a picture of the actual signal I'm modeling on Highland Ave in Norwood.


I found a nice N-scale Thingiverse model by Ajkochev. I downloaded and re-sized to Z scale, and made a print.  It has too many separate parts and was never going to be sturdy enough in Z, although one piece I did retain was the base. 

The pole on the Z model is a 1mm hollow brass tube--which will help route the wires since I'm planning to make the lights work using 0201 LEDs.  The arm and counterweight is one-piece, and snaps into the fulcrum/arm motor part.  I also found I could print the crossbucks and "number of tracks signage which are just paper on the N scale model.  I added the electric bell housing as a part as well.
Here's the test assembly of the first print. 


It remains to test the fit of the LEDs into the lens housings, paint and finding a good/cheap flasher circuit.  The crossbucks, safety stripes and other lettering will be done with decals.


 

[John]

Nice .. I use his signals as well ..  extra points if you motorize it 

[Jesse6669]

Nice .. I use his signals as well ..  extra points if you motorize it 

What, you think I'm DKS?

[Jesse6669]

Here's the next (maybe final?) iteration of the signal, this time with 0201 LEDs installed, slight changes made to the dimensions of the signs, the arm, and rotated the sockets for the 0201 LEDs so the contacts pointed "inward".  With this small of a space to work with, bending the wires soldered to the tiny LEDs excessively was asking for trouble.  This configuration made the run into into the pole shorter.  I secured the LEDs with a bit of ACC.. I thought about using Krystal Klear but wanted something stronger.  I guess if one of the LEDs burns out I'll just make a new signal.



I used a file to abrade a small hole in the back of the brass rod, and reamed it out a little with the edge of my knife. 



Twisted the wires together and poked them through the pole.



The rest was assembled-- the arm snapped into the fulcrum/arm motor and slid on/ACC, base then the crossbucks/signage and the electronic bell.



I shot it with primer and painted some flat black on the lights, and used a 3V hearing aid battery and a resistor to test the appearance when lit:



I'm now just waiting on a flasher circuit I got on Ebay that has adjustable timing.   We'll see how it works, it was only 10 bucks for a pair of them.  I have a decal sheet of the signage and safety stripes to get printed as well.

[ednadolski]

Fan-tastic!   

What, you think I'm DKS?

You're making it harder to tell the difference! 


Ed