 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups General ModelsRailroadsRocketsRadio Controlled Air ModelsHelicoptersLand ModelsWater ModelsModelGeeks.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Model Forum / General / Railroads / August 2006Trigor (from Walthers?)
Hey, I have a question. I'm wondering whatever happened to this little gadget I see advertised in a 1993 Wlthers catalog called 'Trigor' It apparently was a cheap, simple signal activation device set in a 9 inch piece of track. What happened to it? Was it truly junk? If it was at all useful, I want to try using it to activate the flashers on an HO scale module I have. Thanks for any knowledge. Dave Rutan  SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html > Hey, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Dave Rutan Hi Dave; OLD tech, but usable if you don't mind the appearance. The "Trigor" was a mechanical electric switch, with an adjustable 'trip' setting. I.E. it could be set stiff enough that it would only activate for HEAVY locomotives. This 'adjustable switch' mechanism was attached to one side of the track section, and was large enough to not be easily ignored. For your described usage, it could be just he trick, BUT you might have problems if the 'flasher' unit wants a 'clean' on/off signal for it's control. YMMV Chuck Davis > Hi Dave; > OLD tech, but usable if you don't mind the appearance. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Chuck Davis There don't even seem to be any on eBay. I wonder if I could make one... Thanks, Dave SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html You can buy phosphor bronze strips from Scale Shops and make your own. This is the material they use for the switch machine contact points. -- Phil Anderson Up hill slow, down hill fast, tonnage first, safety last. > > Hi Dave; > > OLD tech, but usable if you don't mind the appearance. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. > http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. spake thus: > You can buy phosphor bronze strips from Scale Shops and make your own. This > is the material they use for the switch machine contact points. Or how about a microswitch under the rail? They're pretty sensitive. SignatureIn order to embark on a new course, the only one that will solve the problem: negotiations and peace with the Palestinians, the Lebanese, the Syrians. And: with Hamas and Hizbullah. Because it's only with enemies that one makes peace. - Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom. (http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html) Hey Guys, I just discovered I have one of the Trigor doohickies. It was in a batch of old track I got from a guy. After looking it over, I think I have an idea that will work for my modules, be less visable, simpler, and cheaper. I'm going to try and work something up and I'll let you know if it works. Basically, I'm thinking of two thin brass strips, one under one of two ties, with a 'shim' of paper under a tie near the two with the brass. Thanks, Dave > Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. spake thus: > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > - Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom. > (http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html) SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html > Hey Guys, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Dave Hi Dave; You have got the right idea. Anything that works will do the trick. I once drilled a #65 hole down through the rail and used fine 'piano wire' to operate a switchblade under the bench work. Chuck D. > > Hey Guys, > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Chuck D. It must be part of the scatchbuilding point of view. It's usually cheaper to figure something out than to buy it. Dave SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html > Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. spake thus: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Or how about a microswitch under the rail? They're pretty sensitive. NOT ----- Microswitches that are 'sensitive' in terms of amount of movement needed are very 'stiff' (lots of pressure to move), 'sensitive' in terms of amount of pressure needed -- need lots of travel before the 'switch' happens. You CAN get both, for LOT$ of $$. Chuck D. Charles Davis spake thus: >> Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. spake thus: >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > in terms of amount of pressure needed -- need lots of travel before the > 'switch' happens. You CAN get both, for LOT$ of $$. Yeah, just checked my collection of microswitches: out of the lot, there's maybe one which *might* be both sensitive enough and have short enough travel (a mm or two). Probably better to use something like mechanical relay contacts, maybe with a TTL latch circuit. SignatureIn order to embark on a new course, the only one that will solve the problem: negotiations and peace with the Palestinians, the Lebanese, the Syrians. And: with Hamas and Hizbullah. Because it's only with enemies that one makes peace. - Uri Avnery, Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom. (http://counterpunch.org/avnery08032006.html) > Charles Davis spake thus: > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > enough travel (a mm or two). Probably better to use something like > mechanical relay contacts, maybe with a TTL latch circuit. Check in old CD or DVD players. > > Charles Davis spake thus: > > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > > Check in old CD or DVD players. Wish I hadn't thrown one out a few months back. Dave SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html >Hey, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Dave Rutan I don't know if you can still get one or not, but it is very "toy train" unless you can hide it somewhere. They work OK, but look terrible in a setting that is striving for realism. > >Hey, > > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > can hide it somewhere. They work OK, but look terrible in a setting that is striving > for realism. Actually I'm working on something similar (homemade) that will be less obtrusive. Got a lot of irons in the fire right now, so I'm doing more thinking on it than testing. Our modules are usually connected together with a 9 inch length of snap track anyway, and no one usually even does the old 'tape on the back to hold ballast' trick. Dave Rutan From what I was able to make of it from the ads and articles in MR, the thing was no more than a strip of phosphor bronze secured in a position where the passage of a wheel forced it down into contact with the railhead. The effect was to link a wire etc to the common return rail. It's a very simple device and very effective. For your application on a single direction track you would use it to actuate the solenoid of a double coil relay, and a second contact beyond the crossing (more than a train length apart) to operate the other coil. The switches of the relay would then activate your flashers/accessory. It's too simple a concept for DCC. Regards, Greg.P. > Hey, > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Dave Rutan ...blah blah blah... Had to get ANOTHER e-mail address, did you? I think you're half my kill file. SignatureEvaluating all GUIs by the example of Windows is like evaluating all cars by the example of Yugos. I've had the same email address for at least 8 years. Regards, Greg.P. > ...blah blah blah... > > Had to get ANOTHER e-mail address, did you? I think you're half my kill > file. It turns out I have one. I found it in a bunch ofd stuff someone unloaded on me a while back. It looks like a length of 9 inch Atlas track with a sort of switch (length of brass) in the center of the track. It's set up so that it will either make or break contact when the track is pushed down by the weight of a train. There's a screw to adjust sensitivity and three contacts for solder conections. What I find oddest is that no where on the track does it say 'trigor track, just Atlas snap track. Dave > From what I was able to make of it from the ads and articles in MR, the > thing was no more than a strip of phosphor bronze secured in a position [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. > > http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html You're describing something I had on my layout as a kid for a crossing flasher. It was just as you describe and made the flashers 'flash' (not very realistically) as the wheels of the train passed over it. Dave > From what I was able to make of it from the ads and articles in MR, the > thing was no more than a strip of phosphor bronze secured in a position [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Regards, > Greg.P. SignatureModeling the D.L.& W. Sussex Branch If it weren't fun, I wouldn't do it. http://dlw-sussexbranch.com/modeling_index.html |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.