Good Morning! I used to be a track under the tree guy for Christmas every year but since my Dad passed a few years ago and I was given his collection I am now in the process of building a permanent layout that is up and operational all year instead of just the month of December. Per the boss' orders I cannot make a mess and take on the construction process right now this close to Christmas so I have spent a ton of time here getting tips and ideas for building and am experimenting on a temporary Christmas layout on plywood layed over the the pool table. My son and I just visited our local Lionel shop over the weekend and he picked out the Dwarf signal to add which I was good with however I cannot get it to function properly so I am turning to you guys with my first question.
How does it get wired so that it switches back and forth from red to green? I am using Fastrack. I have the Fastrack Accessory Activator track section with the plug in accessory wire. My issue is none of the wire colors in the manual match what I actually have. The accessory wire obviously plugs into the track at one and and the unfinished end has a red, white and black wire. The Dwarf signal has two white wires and two red wires. If I connect the reds to the accessory wire red and the whites to the accessory white wire it lights both the red and the green signal at the same time. What is the correct way so it alternates since the way I have it clearly isn't right?
Thanks in advance!
Rob
OK. I was under the impression it was the IR controller or the activator track which is what I have. The power lock on is on the full length piece and then there are two 5 inch pieces with a 'break' in the outside rail.
http://www.lionelstore.com/FasTrack-Accessory-Activator-Track-Pack-681317Not trying to question just trying to learn since there will be other accessories in the future I would think.
The FasTrack Accessory Activation Track will only operate an item that has one mode, such as a Crossing Gate or Operating Gateman. The Activation Track acts as one switch, to activate the accessory as the train enters the track. The accessory will turn off after the train has passed off the Activation track.
The 153IR has 2 sets of contacts to allow an accessory such as the Dwarf signal, which has 2 modes, to operate. The Dwarf signal must be powered before the train passes the controller for the green lamp to illuminate, and then to illuminate the red lamp as the train passes the controller.
With the Activation Track, the Dwarf signal would be off until a train enters the track, then one lamp or another could be wired to come on. After the train leaves the Activation track, the signal would go dark again.
Larry
Got it now! That makes sense how you explained it.
The positive is I get to go back to the store for that "one" part I need! lol
Thanks for taking the time to explain it!
Rob
You are welcome. Let us know how you make out.
Larry