Barrysteel
- Mar 1, 2016
- 6
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2016
- Messages
- 6
Hi
I have a model railroad. For this I bought a 'fast clock', a clock that runs quicker than normal to 'scale' time in line with my HO scale trains. Now, on the PCB that runs the 'fast' clock there is a 20 terminal block that can be used to power on and off up to sixteen 12v lights housed in miniature buildings. Each of the 16 outputs are aligned with the 'fast clock' and each are programmed individually to switch on and off. For example, an output may be programmed thus.... 07:00 on - 09:00 off, 18:00 on - 10:30 off whilst another may be 08:00 on - 10:00 off, 17:30 on - 11:30 off.
OK.... but running the light sequences directly from the 16 sequenced terminals is not practical as 12v is shared amongst the 16 terminals meaning that power is reduced according to how many are switched to on at any time. In other words lights in building get brighter and duller according to how many are on at any one time.
It is therefore more practical for buildings to be remotely powered (thus assuring constant power when on) and to use relays. Each relay is directed by an attached 'fast clock' terminal to switch the remote power on and off according to the sequenced times as described above.
Finally, here's the question. What relays do I need to get to achieve this? Do I need latching or non-latching relays? Do they need to be NO or NC? Or am I completely wrong in my logic about how to set this up? Or how would you go about it?
Thanks in advance
Barry
I have a model railroad. For this I bought a 'fast clock', a clock that runs quicker than normal to 'scale' time in line with my HO scale trains. Now, on the PCB that runs the 'fast' clock there is a 20 terminal block that can be used to power on and off up to sixteen 12v lights housed in miniature buildings. Each of the 16 outputs are aligned with the 'fast clock' and each are programmed individually to switch on and off. For example, an output may be programmed thus.... 07:00 on - 09:00 off, 18:00 on - 10:30 off whilst another may be 08:00 on - 10:00 off, 17:30 on - 11:30 off.
OK.... but running the light sequences directly from the 16 sequenced terminals is not practical as 12v is shared amongst the 16 terminals meaning that power is reduced according to how many are switched to on at any time. In other words lights in building get brighter and duller according to how many are on at any one time.
It is therefore more practical for buildings to be remotely powered (thus assuring constant power when on) and to use relays. Each relay is directed by an attached 'fast clock' terminal to switch the remote power on and off according to the sequenced times as described above.
Finally, here's the question. What relays do I need to get to achieve this? Do I need latching or non-latching relays? Do they need to be NO or NC? Or am I completely wrong in my logic about how to set this up? Or how would you go about it?
Thanks in advance
Barry