I was at my LHS today and ran across Kato Signal System that was nice looking as all Kato products in my opinion. Each Signal came with it's own track attached/ w wire leads for power supply. Signal $38.00 Dedicated Power Sup $28.00 LHS clerk stated that Kato Pow Sup had to be used? Not sure about that either Why can't a DC transformer be utilized But !? Does anyone have any experience with these units? And Pros/CONS about them? Thanks ahead of time for your input:thumbs_up:
it's not all that wondewrful.... the signal is green until a train passes over the pressure plate. the signal goes red for i believe 20 seconds then yellow for the same amount of time (someone please correct me if that is wrong) signal is that only.. no additional detection, no holding a signal red or yellow if the train is slowed or stopped, etc. looks nice, but is kinda toylike in that regard. unless your DC transformer is the same voltage, you run the risk of frying the lights. IIRC finding the correct voltage requires one to speak some japanese LOL i seem to recall somebody hooking several signals to one power source, using a 3 way kato adapter. there is a yahoo group for unitrack that would be a better reference than this old guy trying hard to remember stuff LOL HTH Ed
If you have Unitrack and kids (or just feel like a kid yourself), the Kato signal is a fun plug and play addition. Think Lionel. The really "neat" item is the Kato automatic crossing gate set. I had one of those on my old double track Unitrack layout and other than the somewhat non-prototypical appearance, the thing was amazing.
Thanks much NoresemanJack, I like that idea for now since my knowledge level in this area is Small. :tb-cool:
I had a look in my Japanese Kato catalog to see if there was any mention of voltage but couldn't see any. As the signals have LEDs I imagine the 24-844 adapter to power the signals steps down the accessory output of the Kato power pack. The crossing gates reasonable looking for Japanese prototype which you have to remember is Kato's number one business by a long margin. Easy to install, working, U.S. prototype crossing gates are something we sorely need in N scale seeing as they are one of the most common items on the prototype.
Also remember, these are not compatible with DCC, I fried mine. the signal looks goos though, and the LED's are still good on mine so I might one of these days wire them up to a block or automatic system.
There was a post a while back on the Yahoo Unitrack group about converting the crossing to work with DCC, I'm not sure if the signals could be converted somehow. If you want signals that work with DCC and don't mind them being a little less plug and play, but still fairly simple to install give the Atlas signals a look. They can be set up like the Katos as stand alone signals on a timer or working in conjunction with one another. I plan on installing them on one line of the club's Ntrak layout.
Crossing will work Stand-Alone with DCC You can run DCC with the Kato Crossing Gate, but DO NOT try to connect it to any of the DCC controllers - unless you enjoy the smell of fried component and the sound of money flying out of you wallet! The Automatic Crossing Gate system will work just fine in a DCC environment, as long as it's set up just to close and open the gates as the train approaches and departs the grade crossing. It IS rather toylike, but it works rather well - I had a unit years ago with my Unitrack setup, and it clicked immediately. However it can be finicky to install and get running; those cables insist on going into their little edge-clamp slots EXACTLY RIGHT, and it doesn't take much to slide them back out, either. it also cost around $300 retail, and that was 10 years ago! for a single-line (I know you can cover a double-track, and I think it will go as far as four-track, but I'm not sure on that; can someone back-check me on that?). Anyway, if you can afford it, and if you want a fully-automatic unit, then it's a good one. But make sure that's how you want to go, because you WILL spend the cash for it.
I contacted Kato Service about getting my old Kato Crossing repaired. Something cooked in the control module. They don't sell the unit here anymore nor do they service them here in the US. I didn't go any farther with getting it repaired. All the aforementioned comments are typical of the Crossing. The operation of the could be rather finicky depending on the type of rolling stock and whether the sensors picked them when they pass over the switches. After recalling the price on these things, I couldn't help but say "What was I thinkin'?"
Now that even the Kato crossing is no longer available in its U.S. guise we definitely need some manufacturer to produce a grade crossing that works (preferably with DC and DCC), is easy to install on the layout and is U.S. prototype. Grade crossings would have to be the most common things on U.S. railroads still not adequately produced in model form, there have been toy like train set versions made by various manufacturers and dummy crossing signals by others.
A reliable signal and crossing system would be a big seller to our hobby. As far as the hardware is concerned, sensors for detecting train presence, animation, diesel horns, steam whistles and warning bells at crossing approaches are all available from electronics supply and industrial sources but the selling price would be astronomical. I've been kicking the idea around of picking up one of the "Symphony" sound systems and automating the control pad. WHEN I WIN THE LOTTERY! LOL!!!
An Atlas signal with detector and signal control circuit sells for around $50, I can't imagine a simple crossing without gates costing much more, add a few dollars for two crossing signals and a speaker for the bells. Maybe Atlas should have looked into this, probably would have outsold the signals.
The basic logic is very similar in theory.You want to activate a relay when you enter the crossing or signal zone,hold the signal while occupied (latching relay), then release the relay with another sensor (unlatch the relay) when the train passes. The micro-processor has to also distinguish which direction the train is coming from. The reed switches Kato used weren't too reliable as they required something magnetic to pass over them periodically to stay latched. Photo electrics actually look for the train. That solves the problem of reliability. Circuitron, NJ International, Tomar and Train Tronics all make complete systems or components to handle signals and crossings. IMHO, all are too expensive for mass consumption. That's relative of course, but if most of us have to choose between 2 or 3 of the latest and greatest locomotives or 1 set of flashing lights on a crossbuck with gates, diesel fuel probably wins. Frankly, I'd love to have automated signals and crossing gates but not until I get a few C-40's, SD-70ACEs....you know what I mean. Keep dreamin' Clark!
