GUIDE TO TROUBLESHOOTING INFRA RED
Contents
1. protected against reverse polarity and cannot be damaged if the connections are incorrectly made Reset to Factory Default If the red led lights then reset the module to its factory default This will ensure the module will operate predictably in a test mode when the power is applied To do this switch off the power to the module and hold down the Push Button Apply the power and continue holding the push button until 1 flash of the red led is seen At this point release the button You will see a long flash of five seconds The led will begin flashing again When you have seen 1 flash press the button You will see a long flash of five seconds and then 10 rapid flashes The reset procedure is then complete and the module will restart with factory settings and run a test mode such as switching the outputs in sequence If you make a mistake programming simply repeat the process When the power is switched on now the red led on the PCB should be seen flashing on and off at second intervals Connect the Infra Red Sensor EMITTER E CATHODE K lt a _ ANODE A lt COLLECTOR C The infra red sensor has four wire connections Identify the chamfer on the side of the body of the sensor and then fan the leads out and connect to the module Turn the power on again and confirm that the red led on the PCB flashes as before If the led no longer works carefully check the connections to the A and K terminals agains2. Apply the power and continue holding the push button until 2 flashes are seen At this point release the button You will see a long flash of two seconds and then the led will begin flashing again When 2 flashes have been seen or other value as found in the modules instructions press and hold the button You will see a long flash of five seconds and then 10 rapid flashes The button can now be released and the programming is complete The module will start running the program If you make a mistake programming simply repeat the process The module red led should now be seen to be flickering at a fast rate signifying that the module is looking for reflection from an object passing the sensor Bringing you hand near the face of the sensor should result in the operation of the led changing either going out or changing to flash at a different rate This confirms the sensor has detected your hand If no change is seen carefully check the connections to the C and E terminals against the photos above as either this or choosing the wrong programme is the most likely cause of the problem Detecting Rolling Stock Assuming the sensor has been successfully triggered by you hand it should also be successfully triggered by rolling stock The sensor ideally needs to be located immediately below the sleepers with a unobstructed view upwards pon T The above image shows the sensor position between the sleepers on OO gauge track If usi
3. mo 5 EE L JL OCKsigr ol 1g pa Cc i Pa wk www bloc cksign al ling CoO ul GUIDE TO TROUBLESHOOTING INFRA RED SYSTEMS Infra red systems offer very high reliability of detecting rolling stock passing over the sensor If you are having problems with triggering of the system this document should help isolate the problem Firstly all BLOCKsignalling modules that use infra red triggering have a red led on the PCB which is wired in series with the infra red sensor If this red led is not lit then the infra red sensor led is not lit either so checking this red led can help solve triggering problems If the red led has not been seen working disconnect the four sensor wires and place a link wire between the A and K terminals on the PCB Push Button Wire Link aa e ill L i i coll i ou yon F F i ty POWER SUPPLY 12V DC Red Led Apply power and check if the red led lights If it does then the PCB is operating correctly even if the red led only lights briefly If the red led does not light then refer to the instructions for your module for the correct operating voltage and check the wiring from the power supply to the input terminals of the PCB All modules can be tested on 12V DC Take care to get the polarity correct connecting the negative supply to the terminal marked GND OV or witha symbol All modules are
4. ng N gauge track the sensor needs to be positioned quite precisely as the gap between the sleeper is only about 2 8mm and the sensor leds are 2 2mm diameter If the baseboard is particularly thick difficulty may be experienced positioning the sensor close enough to the track bed Trimming down some chocolate block and forming the leads should enable the sensor to be used with baseboard up to 18mm 3 4 thick For deeper baseboards the sensor can be enclosed in a small tube of matt black paper and sit slightly further from the rail whilst still functioning successfully Some experimentation may be required to avoid false triggering by varying the sensitivity adjustment see module documentation Ideally extend the sensor leads by soldering or using small crimps to ensure the sensor is in the optimum position immediately below the track bed Good connections will ensure the sensor functions reliably
5. t the photos above and make sure the connections are secure If these are correct and the led flashed with the wire link in place then the sensor is probably faulty Check the Led on the Infra Red Sensor If the led on the PCB flashes correctly then the infra red led is also flashing You can check this with a mobile phone camera video camera or digital camera as these can see the infra red light which is otherwise invisible to the naked eye The led in the sensor produces a very dim purple light This may be seen best with the room lights off The picture at the top of this article was taken in a very dark room and the camera has picked up the light from the sensor beneath the track The led in the sensor should be seen lit at the same time as the red led on the PCB If the infra red led is seen to be correctly flashing in unison then that part of the infra red sensor is operating correctly Sensitivity Setting The sensitivity of the sensor is set in the factory to mid range and should be triggered by placing a hand within 2 5cm 1 inch of the face of the sensor the factory reset performed above sets the module sensitivity back to mid range To test this select a program on the module which is triggered by the infra red sensor Typically this is programme 2 or programme 3 but do check the instructions for your particular module to be sure To select this program switch off the power to the module and hold down the Push Button
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search