First post here, please bear with me. I have an NJ International #1010 semaphore. It has 2 wires for the light, 2 commons, and 2 "hot" wires. The commons and hot wires operate the solenoid which operates the board. It is a single lite, two color red/green. I tested it and all works well. Trouble is, I don't know how this is supposed to connect to my layout so that it is fully functional. I don't know, maybe it won't work. I use an older tech of blocks with double throw slide switches. Turnouts are all manual. Any help out there? TIA, Tyler
Welcome to TrainBoard, Tyler! I have a trainorder signal, but only with light from IHC. I guess, the signal has relais for moving the blades and two positions. Are you sure about the two common wires? Wolfgang
Yes, sure of the 2 commons. I believe there is a solenoid up in the mast of the s'phore, with 2 windings. One is cw, the other ccw, making it possible to raise and lower the blade. I tried it, and that is how it seems to work. I have come to believe these are only supposed to work with electric turn outs, where a momentary pulse from the pushbutton switch that activates the turn out will also activate the blade. Dang.....I thought for sure there was some other way. There must be. But then it would probably take some heavy duty electronic design to get it done, too....automatically, that is. Guess I'll just power the light and be done. Thanks, tyler
I got this in a trade, therefore no paperwork. I can't say it is actually NJ International's product, it just looks exactly like it. They have only a phone number to ask questions. Guess that's the next step. Here is the jpg from their website: http://www.njinternational.com/1010%20Semaphore.jpg Thanks again, Tyler
tyler: I did have a couple of the lower-quadrant NJ international semaphores on my old layout, but the only way I could wire them was to my switch machines, and the sudden blast of current into the solenoid operated the blade so fast that after a while the screws holding the blade to the shaft worked themselves loose. I finally decided to just wire the lighting, disconnected the solenoid connections and used them for 'show', operating them with my index finger when needed. They look really good on a MR, but actual semaphore blades lifted and lowered very slowly. On my present MR, I've gone to Tomar upper-quadrant semaphores that I've lit with 1.5 volt batteries. They're meant to be operated by a slow-acting tortise machine, but since like you, all of my turnouts are hand-operated, I just use them for 'show'. But they look really GOOD on the layout. That might be your best bet. Light them, but use your index finger. Tom
I operate my trainorder signal with servos. This way you have three positions. A friend made the electronic device. Wolfgang
Yep, you're right. The momentary action of the switch for the turnout machine really yanks the blades! I'll follow your lead and just power the light, leave the rest for show. Thank you so much for your help! I wonder if the solenoids could be powered on a continuous basis? Or would they burn out, eventually? I have an idea brewing in the back of my head, but it would require constant power to one or the other winding for the solenoid. I'm putting my money on "no....not designed for a continuous power". Thanks again, Tyler
