LOGIC RAIL BA-1 User manual

L OGIC
TECHNOLOGIES
R AIL
"Sophisticated
Model Railroad
Electronics"
TM
21175 Tomball Pkwy Phone: [phone]
Suite 287 email: [e-mail]
Houston, TX 77070 http://www.logicrailtech.com
Block Animator BA-1)
- Infrared detection version
Instructions
Revised 10/20/18
Getting started
Thank you for purchasing a Logic Rail Technologies product! Please familiarize yourself ith all the instructions prior to
installing this board. This version of the Block Animator (model BA-1) provides 3-color signaling for LED-based 3-light
(common anode/positive) and searchlight-style signals. It can also be used ith LED-based 2-light (common anode/positive)
signals; of course then you’ll only get 2-color signaling.
The Block Animator (BA) provides automatic operation of t o 3-color block signals in a semi-prototypical ay. Four pairs
of Infrared (IR) emitters and detectors are used for bidirectional train detection. Detection is achieved hen the IR beam from
the emitter reflects off the underside of the train back do n to the detector. Despite the use of infrared components you
could still encounter false triggering from overhead lighting. This is usually eliminated with angled sensor mounting
and/or proper sensor sensitivity adjustment page 4). This version of the BA must be powered from either a 7-9V AC
or 9-12V DC power source such as our 12VPSR). Do NOT exceed these limits! The layout of the signals and IR
components is illustrated at left belo ; the illustration on the right is a side vie of the IR detection method.
The BA operates the signals as described next. In the absence of any trains the t o signals ill be green. No consider a
train traveling eastbound. When sensor W1 is activated signal WB ill change from green to red and ill remain red as the
train continues eastbound and subsequently activates sensor W2. When the train then activates sensor E2 signal EB ill
change from green to red. Once the train has totally cleared sensors W1 and W2 then signal WB ill change from red back to
green. As the train continues eastbound to ards sensor E1 signal EB ill remain red. Once the train has passed over sensor
E1 and totally clears both it and sensor E2 signal EB ill change to yello ; this mimics the behavior of the train entering the
“next block.” After a time delay (10 or 30 seconds; see belo ) signal EB ill change to green. Signal operation for a
estbound train is similar ith signal EB changing from green to red and back to green hile signal WB changes from green
to red to yello and back to green.
You should make all of the connections to the BA before applying po er to it. You can mount the BA any here it is
convenient underneath your layout using the four mounting holes provided. The holes ill accept #4 scre s; do not enlarge
the holes as damage to the circuit board can result and your arranty ill be voided!
The BA board has a set of 6 configuration s itches on it. Each s itch is described belo .
Switch Name Meaning when OFF/OPEN Meaning when ON/CLOSED
SETUP BA is in normal operating mode BA is in sensor setup mode
DELAY Yello to Green delay is 30 seconds Yello to Green delay is 10 seconds
SIG_EB EB signal is a 3-color type EB signal is a searchlight type
SIG_WB WB signal is a 3-color type WB signal is a searchlight type
YELHUE Yello hue for searchlight signals is more reddish Yello hue for searchlight signals is more greenish
APPRL Approach Lighting is Disabled Approach Lighting is Enabled
Approach Lighting
The concept of Approach Lighting is quite simple. A signal remains dark (not illuminated) until a train approaches it (i.e. the
block in advance of the signal is occupied). This has been primarily used in the estern U.S. in remote locations here signal
equipment operates on battery po er. Having the signals unlit most of the time saves battery po er as ell as prolongs the
life of the bulbs. The “rule” for illumination is simple: the signal shall be illuminated hen the preceding block is occupied.
The BA supports this feature ( hen the APPRL s itch is ON/CLOSED) and orks as follo s. Signal EB ill be illuminated
henever an eastbound train activates sensor W1 and ill keep signal EB illuminated until sensor E2 is activated and then
subsequently cleared. Note that if the eastbound train activates and then clears sensor W1 but after 35 seconds hasn’t

activated sensor E2, then the BA ill assume the train has actually reversed direction and ill turn the signal off. Similarly,
signal EB ill also be illuminated henever a estbound train activates sensor E2 and ill keep signal EB illuminated until
sensor W1 is activated and then subsequently cleared. The same 35 second “timeout” mechanism is in effect for this direction
of travel too. Signal WB ill operate in a similar manner ith respect to sensors E1 and W2. You can turn approach lighting
on or off at any time. Hopefully it is obvious that if you turn this feature off then the signals ill be illuminated all the time!
Searchlight Signals with Bipolar LEDs Tomar Industries, Oregon Rail Supply, etc)
To select a searchlight signal on the BA
you must turn ON/CLOSE the appropriate configuration s itch. The LED used in
model searchlight signals is commonly called a bipolar or tri-
color LED. This type of LED has t o elements inside of a
single h
ousing; one element is green and the other is red. There are t o ays that these LEDs are internally ired. One has
t o leads and the other has three leads; the three-leaded variety is the most common. The BA
supports either one as sho n
in Figures 1a & 1b; these diagrams depict the iring for the Eastbound signal head; iring for the Westbound signal h
ead is
equivalent. You MUST use resistors ith LED-based signals! Because the BA
provides +5V po er to the LED e
recommend a resistor value of 150 ohms. We have included
six resistors ith this product; you ill not use all of them for
this type of signal. With a three-
leaded variety you can choose to use one resistor in the common path (as sho n in Figure
1b) or you could choose to use one resistor in EACH of the color (i.e. G & R) connections (this is NOT illustrated).
NOTE:
The Y and C terminals are not used with this signal type!
Figure 1a – two-lead searchlight signal Figure 1b – three-lead searchlight signal
You can adjust the yello hue on the searchlight signal(s) using the configuration s itch labeled YELHUE on the circuit
board. If the s itch is ON/CLOSED then the yello hue ill be more greenish and less red; if the s itch is OFF/OPEN
then the yello hue ill be more reddish and less green.
The BA provides a novel feature ith searchlight signals that e call “TrueLens”.
This duplicates the prototype signal
behavior of having the signal BRIEFLY sho yello hen the signal changes from green to red.
Signals with 3 LEDs Tomar Industries, Oregon Rail Supply, BLMA, etc)
To select signals using 3 individual LEDs you must have the appropriate s itch in the OFF/OPEN position. The BA
directly
controls 3-light LED signals ired in a common
anode (the anode is the positive side of the LED) arrangement. Virtually all
brands of 3-
light signals are ired this ay. One kno n exception is those from Integrated Signal Systems hich are ired
in a common-cathode arrangement. We offer another version of the Block Animator (model BAD-
6) for controlling this type
of signal. You MUST use resistors ith LED-based signals! Because the BA
provides +5V po er to the LED e
recommend a resistor value of 150 ohms. We have included six resistors ith t
his product. Since only one LED ill be
illuminated at a time you can choose to use a single resistor in the common anode path or individual resistors in each of the
LED cathode paths. The individual resistor scheme is illustrated in Figure 2. NOTE: The C
terminal is not used with this
signal type!
Figure 2 – 3-light signal

Signals with 2 LEDs Tomar Industries, Oregon Rail Supply, etc)
To select signals using 2 individual LEDs you must have the appropriate s itch in the OFF/OPEN position. The BA
directly
controls 2-
light LED signals ired in a common anode (the anode is the positive side of the LED) arrangement. Virtually all
brands of 2-light signals are ired this ay. One kno n exception is those from Integrated Signal Sys
tems hich are ired
in a common-cathode arrangement. We offer another version of the Block Animator (model BAD-
6) for controlling this type
of signal. You MUST use resistors ith LED-based signals! Because the BA
provides +5V po er to the LED e
recommend a resistor value of 100 ohms
; this is less than the 150 ohm resistors e recommend (and hich are included ith
the BA) because there is a voltage drop through the diodes sho n belo
. Since only one LED ill be illuminated at a time
you can choose to use
a single resistor in the common anode path or individual resistors in each of the LED cathode paths.
The individual resistor scheme is illustrated in Figure 3. The diodes are used to combine the yello and green outputs.
NOTE: The C terminal is not used with this signal type!
Figure 3 – 2-light signal
Mounting and wiring the IR components
The IR components should be mounted bet een the rails. Drill t o 11/64” holes,
through the ballast, roadbed, and sub-roadbed. These holes should be located one tie
apart (Figure 4a) and drilled at approximately a 45 to 60 degree angle from horizontal as
illustrated in the side vie in Figure 4b. The benefit of mounting them at an angle is
reduced false triggering from overhead light and increased detection reliability in smaller
scales or irregular bottoms on rolling stock. For the smaller scales this drilling may end
up hitting the ties. Take your time so you don’t mangle them! Insert the leads of one IR
emitter ( hite and black ires) into one of the holes (it doesn’t matter hich one!) from
the top of your layout. Repeat for the IR detector (blue and black ires). The tops of the
components should sit no higher than the top of your ballast for optimal IR performance;
in some cases (e.g. false triggering) it may be necessary to locate the components a little
belo the ballast line. You can extend the leads ith similar (or larger) ire. We
recommend soldering and insulating these connections. We also recommend using
terminal blocks/strips since you’ll have multiple DC and GND connections to make.
Once you have ired the IR components and verified their operation you may ish to
put a dab of hite glue or silicone caulk here the ires exit the holes underneath the
layout. This ill help to hold the components in place; make sure you don't get any
substance (e.g. ballast or glue) on the top surface of the IR components as this may
prevent them from operating properly. In extreme cases here you may be getting
interference from overhead lighting you can mount the IR detector in some plastic or
metal tubing. You can also recess the IR detector slightly belo the ties and roadbed.
Figure 4a
Figure 4b

Figure 5 belo illustrates the iring for one set of IR components (sho n for sensor location “E1”). Use
the same iring
scheme for the three remaining sensor locations (E2, W1, W2). Four 180 ohm 1 Watt resistors are included ith the BA
.
WARNING: The 180 ohm 1 watt resistor may become hot to the touch – take care so that you don’t burn yourself!
When properly ired the emitter ill have a very faint red glo coming from it. You can also look at the emitter through a
digital camera and see the infrared light! For safety reasons do NO
T point the IR emitter directly into your eye or stare
at the IR emitter!!!
E1 W2 E2 W1 5V DC GND AC IN
Figure 5 – IR component wiring
Sensor sensitivity setup
Along one edge of the board are four potentiometers that are labeled "W1", “E2”, “W2” or “E1”; these are referred to as the
sensitivity adjustment pots. For most lighting environments it is USUALLY sufficient to just leave these set midway in
their travel i.e. halfway between fully clockwise and fully counterclockwise). To determine if any adjustments need to be
made do the follo ing:
1. Remove all obstacles that may be covering the sensors. Verify that all four of the blue IR detector ires are
connected into their associated terminal on the BA board.
2. Put the BA board into SETUP mode by putting the s itch labeled SETUP in the ON/CLOSED position. In this
mode the signals ill not operate!
3. Using a small flat blade scre driver turn all four adjustment pots to the midpoint in their travel as described above.
4. If the red LED on the BA board is ON then remove each of the four blue detector ires from the BA’s terminals one
at a time. As you remove a ire check the red LED. If it turns OFF hen you remove a particular ire then note
hich location (W1, E2, W2, or E1) caused the change. Then reconnect that same blue ire and turn the associated
adjustment pot slightly clock ise (right) until the red LED turns OFF. It may be necessary to repeat this as you
reconnect the disconnected blue ires!
5. One you confirm that the red LED stays OFF ith all four blue detector ires properly reconnected then you’ll need
to verify proper detection ith a piece of rolling stock. Confirm that the red LED turns ON and OFF as you move a
boxcar over each of the four detector locations.
6. Exit SETUP mode by putting the SETUP s itch in the OFF/OPEN position. The signals should no operate
properly. You may ish to repeat this procedure ith any other layout lighting conditions you operate under (e.g.
“daytime” vs. “nighttime”).
Signal delay
The signal color delay ( hen the signal changes from yello to green)
can be either 10 seconds or 30 seconds. Choose the
value based on your o n personal preference. To select 10 seconds the configuration s itch labeled DELAY
must be
ON/CLOSED; for 30 seconds the s itch must be OFF/OPEN. You can change this as you ish even hen the po er is on.

Power
The BA accepts 7-9V AC or 9-12V DC po er. Po er consumption for LED signals is approximately 360mA (including the
signals). If you are only using a single BA then use the TWO AC terminals to provide po er (polarity doesn’t matter).
CAUTION: Most AC or DC accessory terminals on your throttle/po er pack exceed 12V and cannot be used ith the BA!
Ho ever, you can use those po er sources in conjunction ith our 12VPSR hich ill provide 12V DC. If you are using
more than one BA you can po er them all from a single 9-12V DC source as sho n in Figure 6 belo .
Figure 6 – DC power
Alternate signal positioning
Rather than place the signals and IR components as sho n on page 1 you may choose to locate the signals at the opposite
ends of a long section of track as sho n in the next dra ing. All iring should follo hat has been previously described.
Please note that with this usage of the Block Animator you CANNOT enable approach lighting; you MUST have the
APPRL switch in the OFF/OPEN position in order to have proper signal behavior.
Other Applications
Please contact us if you are interested in kno ing ho to interlock your signal (i.e. force it to red) ith the position of a turnout
or if you are interested in controlling a dual head signal. We have an instruction supplement that covers these applications. You
can also access this documentation online from our ebsite at http:// .logicrailtech.com/lrt_docs.htm.
Troubleshooting
If you’re using a searchlight signal and the signal is red hen you think it should be green and vice versa then you probably just
need to reverse the R and G connections.
If your signals do not change hen a particular sensor is activated then you can perform the follo ing tests. First, perform the
sensor setup routine previously described. If one or more of the sensors does not function properly then you kno it is faulty. If
the sensors are OK then you might have a problem ith the BA, the signals, or the iring bet een them.
If the red LED on the BA board stays lit hen the BA is in SETUP mode then there is a problem ith: sensor sensitivity, sensor
iring, or one of the chips on the BA. First, double-check your sensor iring. A missing sensor connection (missing ire or
open circuit) ill be interpreted by the BA as a cleared sensor. A shorted sensor (i.e. blue and black ires touching) ill be
interpreted by the BA as an activated sensor. Next, put the BA in SETUP mode (see page 1) and turn all four sensor sensitivity

pots completely counter-clock ise (left). If the red LED goes out then simply complete the sensor setup process continuing
ith Step 3 on page 4. If the red LED is still lit then the problem is either a bad sensor or a faulty chip on the BA.
You can determine if the BA sensing chip is orking correctly by TEMPORARILY disconnecting all blue sensor ires from
the BA. If the red LED on the BA is lit then its sensing chip is faulty (read on belo for details on replacing it). If, on the
other hand, the red LED on the BA is no dark then connect each sensor input (E1, W2, E2, W1) to GND, ONE sensor input
at a time. An activated sensor appears to the BA like a connection to GND so you are, in effect, mimicking an activated
sensor ith this test. If the red LED does NOT come on each time you make that temporary connection (make sure you try all
four sensor inputs!) then you have a faulty chip.
The chip that “processes” the sensor inputs is located closest to the sensor sensitivity pots. This chip is labeled “LM339”.
Replacements are available from us or you can purchase one from stores such as Radio Shack (part number 276-1712). To
replace the chip you ill need to gently pry it out of its socket using a flat blade scre driver. Take great care hen inserting
the replacement chip so that you don’t bend any of its pins underneath it. Make sure the text on the chip has the OPPOSITE
orientation as the name “Block Animator” on the circuit board.
Warranty
This product is arranted to be free from defects in materials or orkmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
Logic Rail Technologies reserves the right to repair or replace a defective product. The product must be returned to Logic Rail
Technologies in satisfactory condition. This arranty covers all defects incurred during normal use of this product. This
arranty is void under the follo ing conditions:
1) If damage to the product results from mishandling or abuse.
2) If the product has been altered in any ay (e.g. soldering).
3) If the current or voltage limitations of the product have been exceeded.
Requests for arranty service must include a dated proof of purchase, a ritten description of the problem, and return shipping
and handling ($6.50 inside U.S./$15.00 outside U.S. - U.S. funds only). Except as ritten above, no other arranty or
guarantee, either expressed or implied by any other person, firm or corporation, applies to this product.
Technical Support
We hope the preceding instructions are sufficient for ans ering any questions you might have about the installation of this
product. Ho ever, technical support is available should you need it. We ould ask that you first contact your place of purchase
for assistance. If you still need further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us. You can reach us via phone, mail and
email; our contact information can be found on the top of page 1.