Electric traffic lights for the railway

[AlexC]

Guys,

I am trying to build an electric traffic light for my railway. For that purpose I will use two Electric, Light Brick 1 x 2 with Single Side Light (6035)and one Trans-Green Brick 1 x 2 without Bottom Tube (3065)and one Trans-Red Brick 1 x 2 without Bottom Tube (3065).

Does anyone built anything similar? If yes, could you please provide me with some building instructions or advises? Particularly I wonder how to switch lights if want to have only one battery box connected to both lights? I assume they should be connected through a sort of switch. Does anyone aware of that switch p/n?

Alternatively, if you could recommend any other ways to construct a traffic light I also will appreciate it.

Best regards,

Alex

[DLuders]

@ AlexC: Welcome to Eurobricks! Have you seen this LEGO 7867 12v Train Light Post Set Parts instructions page? Is this the type of light you want?

[dhc6twinotter]

Alex,

Since you are using old 9V stuff, I would suggest using the old polarity switch with old 9V wires:

You could also use the newer PF polarity switch, but you would need some PF converter cables:

You would have to use 1 switch per light.

If you wanted to get all fancy, you could buy a cheap RCX off bricklink to control your lights. You might even be able to program it in with other track functions. Some of the RCX's have a power plug so you don't have to use batteries.

Edited April 23, 2012 by dhc6twinotter

[DLuders]

@ AlexC: Are you wanting to build something like Bill Ward's Four-Track Signal Gantry, except with LED lights in the signal faces?

[AlexC]

@ AlexC: Are you wanting to build something like Bill Ward's Four-Track Signal Gantry[/url], except with LED lights in the signal faces?

DLuders, thank you for your help. Four-Track Signal Gantry is probably too fance for me, but the idea is similar.

Also thanks for the Train light posts, at least i will use the set to build something similar.

Alex,

Since you are using old 9V stuff, I would suggest using the old polarity switch with old 9V wires:

You could also use the newer PF polarity switch, but you would need some PF converter cables:

You would have to use 1 switch per light.

If you wanted to get all fancy, you could buy a cheap RCX off bricklink to control your lights. You might even be able to program it in with other track functions. Some of the RCX's have a power plug so you don't have to use batteries.

dhc6twinotter, actually I want something with RCX to avoid alot of polarity switches.

Do you have any particular examples with RXC?

[JopieK]

It will not be very efficient to use an RCX and (just) LEGO...

I use both RCX and NXT in education so I know quite something about them. You might of course try to do some electronics tricks with it, but a better solution is using e.g. the Arduino. Did you also want to make a block system for controlling the trains?!

[dhc6twinotter]

dhc6twinotter, actually I want something with RCX to avoid alot of polarity switches.

Do you have any particular examples with RXC?

Sorry, I don't have any pictures or examples of electric traffic lights. There is a LUG that travels around to some of the shows in the States, and they have a large train layout with RCX controlled bridges and train crossings. The train crossings use the old 9V flashing lights and a micro motor to open/close the gate.

I think the train layout will be at BrickMagic in a month. If you like, I can try to get more info on their layout when I see it.

Edited April 23, 2012 by dhc6twinotter

[AlexC]

It will not be very efficient to use an RCX and (just) LEGO...

I use both RCX and NXT in education so I know quite something about them. You might of course try to do some electronics tricks with it, but a better solution is using e.g. the Arduino. Did you also want to make a block system for controlling the trains?!

Hi JopieK,

I think using something like Arduino is too much for me. May be you could give me some advises about RCX and NXT? I am not planning (so far) to make a block system for controlling trains as my trains are RC.

Sorry, I don't have any pictures or examples of electric traffic lights. There is a LUG that travels around to some of the shows in the States, and they have a large train layout with RCX controlled bridges and train crossings. The train crossings use the old 9V flashing lights and a micro motor to open/close the gate.

I think the train layout will be at BrickMagic in a month. If you like, I can try to get more info on their layout when I see it.

dhc6twinotter, I will appreciate if you could make some photos of it.