CESM Search Light Signals - Pre order

[Smike]

I just saw these are now available for pre-order with prices. Anyone have any insight?  The specs look great, but how are they able to offer them so cheap with the LED's?

http://www.cescalemodels.com/n-signals

Thanks!

[nscaleSPF2]

Um, I may be wrong, but I think that you need to buy one of his decoders for each signal, to make the LED work correctly.

[Scottl]

This is a very attractive system.  The DCC decoder controls up to 9 lights, so depending on your configuration, you might get 3-4 signals per decoder.  The value proposition is actually very good.

[jagged ben]

Looks like a very promising product. 

[tehachapifan]

Looks like a very promising product.

It does indeed!

[pdx1955]

Its a very economical system especially if you need a number triple target signals like myself . Even with the decoder board, the cost is only half or a third of other possibilities.

[Cajonpassfan]

Nice to see these, but doesn't the target seem big? Or is that just me?
Otto K. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Philip H]

so if each board controls 9 lights, could you drive 3 standard type D's with a board?  Or are these just geared for searchlights?

[jagged ben]

Nice to see these, but doesn't the target seem big? Or is that just me?
Otto K.

That particular mast is pretty short, so makes the target perhaps look bigger.  It doesn't look way off to me when I look at the track.

[jagged ben]

so if each board controls 9 lights, could you drive 3 standard type D's with a board?  Or are these just geared for searchlights?

If you read what's on the site he says the decoder can be programmed for just about any signal use, including position light signals.  He hasn't posted the manual yet though.

[sp org div]

This is where the reserve or miss it mentality really gets me. Sight unseen other than a few pics is hard to dive in, but pricing is low enough to try sampling... but then we have to wait to follow through on any respectable size order. I still have signal bridges that have not been completed (and some eventual replacements), and could be nice to have a product like this to fill in where I have been unable to complete the project once and for all....
Jeff

[Smike]

Agree with all. For me the look is more than good, and the price, even with the decoder is best I've seen. The part that I get lost with is the decoders, and how to integrate that into block detection system. (I have Digitrax DDC and soon will be integrating that into RasberryPI brain.)  I've been laying my track and putting in block isolation with the idea to drive most of my signals in the future. I do respect that this maybe a conversation independent of these signals, but would like to know if its easy to incorporate, and how many boards I need to order.

Always a ton of good info around these parts

 

[jagged ben]

I imagine it is as simple as programming the decoder to right signal type and addresses.  It would be nice if the manual was posted, I may send him a message to that effect.

I  find it difficult to wrap my head around Digitrax's ideas of how to run a signal system without a computer.  But I'm pretty sure it's mostly a matter of addressing.  I would bet any decoder would be compatible in some waybor another.

[Smike]

I  find it difficult to wrap my head around Digitrax's ideas of how to run a signal system without a computer.

Or anything beyond calling up a loco or two, its like working with a 1979 computer interface. Can't move to a RasberryPI setup fast enough.

[jagged ben]

To go back to Otto's post about scale...

A real searchlight target is 35" in diameter.  The hole in the middle for the lense and hood is a bit over 10".  See pics.  The directions posted on the website say to curl the hood over a 1/16" drill to shape it.   1/16" in N scale comes out too...exactly 10 scale inches.