Pennsy Position light signals

[unittrain]

I recently purchased a set of Traincat Pennsy mast signals which are excellent models! I was wondering if the Alkem Scale Models
Pennsy position light units would be able to be used with the traincat signal targets? I do have small yellow leds
from Ngeneering company but would need to make my own circuit board for them

[AlkemScaleModels]

I recently purchased a set of Traincat Pennsy mast signals which are excellent models! I was wondering if the Alkem Scale Models
Pennsy position light units would be able to be used with the traincat signal targets? I do have small yellow leds
from Ngeneering company but would need to make my own circuit board for them

If the Traincat signals are spaced at prototype distances they should. Our circuit cards are spaced at prototype dimensions.  Note we do not sell the circuit cards separately. They only come with the signal targets.

[eric220]

They do look pretty when they're operating! 



One thing I would suggest: Carefully paint the FRONT of the circuit board and sides of the LED's black prior to installation.  This will prevent light from leaking to adjacent LED housings and giving false aspects.

If the alignment is wrong, you can always try mounting the Alkem target on the TrainCat mast.  Looking at the online photos of the model, you might want to experiment with this method.  The biggest problem that I've run into with these models is the viewing angle.  The hoods do their jobs very well, which means they block the light completely if you are looking down too steeply at them.  The TrainCat hoods look pretty long, but narrow, so I'm not sure how they'll be as far as the viewing angle is concerned.

[unittrain]

I'm going to buy a couple of the Alkem boards and see how it works. I can't wait to get some signals installed I got most of my track
laid and still need to wire things up.

[eric220]

Can't wait to see pictures!  I really like the touch that operating signals give a layout.  They are a royal PITA to build and get working, but man do they add a new dimension.  Good luck!

PS - Thanks to Alkem Scale Models for the signals!

[asciibaron]

i wish i was still doing the PRR - there's still time to drop back and model the Bel-Del - that had some signals.  running a layout with a CTC panel and working signals just adds that realistic touch. 

-steve

[AlkemScaleModels]

Can't wait to see pictures!  I really like the touch that operating signals give a layout.  They are a royal PITA to build and get working, but man do they add a new dimension.  Good luck!

PS - Thanks to Alkem Scale Models for the signals!

Thanks to you all for supporting the project! We are nearly out of the first run, so  a second run is in the works. I am getting an estimate on making some with red, green, yellow signals for B&O and N&W too.

[unittrain]

I'd like to see the B&O's also I'm going to have several B&O signals on the B&O portion of my layout!!!

[160pennsy]

Bernie,

Do you know of any customers that have successfully interconnected your Alkem PRR circuit board with a Digitrax SE8C Signal Decoder & SMBK Signal Mast Base Kit?

[AlkemScaleModels]

Bernie,

Do you know of any customers that have successfully interconnected your Alkem PRR circuit board with a Digitrax SE8C Signal Decoder & SMBK Signal Mast Base Kit?

No one has reported using the Digitrax boards to me, but AJ did ask me about them a few years ago. I can't see why they could not be used. They are just surface mount LEDs on a PC board. The kits do not have a ballast resistor, so you need to provide one if the circuit doesn't already.

[Mark5]

Can't wait to see pictures!  I really like the touch that operating signals give a layout.  They are a royal PITA to build and get working, but man do they add a new dimension.  Good luck!

PS - Thanks to Alkem Scale Models for the signals!

Thanks to you all for supporting the project! We are nearly out of the first run, so  a second run is in the works. I am getting an estimate on making some with red, green, yellow signals for B&O and N&W too.

I bought a bunch of the signal heads, knowing I'll have to redo them to CPL. Maybe by the time I get to signalling on my layout the N&W/Amtrak style CPL heads will be around. 

Mark

[160pennsy]

Your wiring schematic shows common anode wiring, and Digitrax's schematic is showing common cathode, but they do have a note ** For common anode wiring, swap polarity for LEDs and steering diodes**.

We're getting closer to an answer but I'd still like to see the wiring schematic for the complete interconnect of your pre-wired board, ballast resistor, external steering diodes & the SMBK.

[eric220]

Bernie,

Do you know of any customers that have successfully interconnected your Alkem PRR circuit board with a Digitrax SE8C Signal Decoder & SMBK Signal Mast Base Kit?

Well I'm not Bernie, but yes, I have successfully connected these wonderful signals to a Digitrax SE8C.  I use the Terminal Strip Mounting Kit (TSMK), as opposed to the SMBK.  The TSMK, and I believe the SMBK, include resistors, so that part is taken care of.  All you have to do is build the steering diode assemblies to drive the center lamp.

The trickiest part for me is keeping straight which switch addresses are control which arms.  Each cable from the SE8C controls up to four arms using eight DCC switch addresses, and keeping them straight (and wiring the TSMK or SMBK correctly) can be a challenge.  When in doubt, trial and error using the SMBK that came with the SE8C will clear things up pretty quickly.  Let me know if you have any specific questions about the process.

-Eric

[eric220]

Your wiring schematic shows common anode wiring, and Digitrax's schematic is showing common cathode, but they do have a note ** For common anode wiring, swap polarity for LEDs and steering diodes**.

We're getting closer to an answer but I'd still like to see the wiring schematic for the complete interconnect of your pre-wired board, ballast resistor, external steering diodes & the SMBK.

Unless I'm reading it wrong, they're both common anode.  I wired mine up just they way that the diagrams indicate, and they work fine.

Edit: I see the problem.  Digitrax has a common anode wiring diagram labeled common cathode.  Whoops!

[asciibaron]

i might have to wire up one of these... there were PRR signals at Belvidere where the L&HR cut off the PRR...