Model Train Technology Signal Controller User manual

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Signal Controller™
OPERATIONS MANUAL
Version 1.1b

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INTRODUCTION
The Model Train Technology™ Signal Controller™ provides an
extremely simple plug-and-play system for lighting and
animating layout block signals and RR Crossing Flashers.
After years of running block signaling from the computer via
train software, I decided that for my 4x8’ demo layout I
wanted a very simple system that gives the appearance of a
much more sophisticated operation – without all the work.
And I wanted a lot less wiring.
Our simplified system will provide great animation in just a
few minutes of installation time, not days or years and at a
fraction of the cost of elaborate CTC systems. And frankly,
very few if any of the visitors to your layout will know the
difference!

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OVERVIEW
Each MTT Signal Controller (“Controller”) stands on its own
and is triggered by a sensor, either under the track or
mounted on the side of the track. Our Precision Detector™ is a
great choice since it is not based on IR (infrared) and is
therefore not impacted by difficult lighting conditions. The
Controller has an optional magnetic base and can be easily
mounted upside-down under the layout so that the Controller
can be removed easily when needed.
The Controller also has a built in DCC decoder that will allow
your block signals change automatically when you switch a
turnout or route. No software, computer or programming is
necessary. And there is no complicated wiring.
When the Controller is tripped by a sensor it starts a display
(aspect) cycle that begins with red. While the sensor shows
occupied, the Controller will stay red. Once the block is
cleared the Controller will start a change of light sequence
based on one of the options shown below. The time between
stages can be adjusted on the Controller.

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The Controller has three outputs that are synchronized to a
behavior. You can adjust the brightness of each of the output
individually. This lets you set the brightness appropriate to
your layout. You can also individually adjust each of the
different colored LEDS. The typical colors of the LEDS (Red,
Yellow and Green) do not glow at the same brightness with
the same voltage. The Controller allows you to adjust them to
your liking. No resistors are needed!
The Controller allows you to set the speed by which Aspect
(colors) shift from Red to Yellow to Green after the train has
passed and the block is unoccupied. You can make it occur
almost immediately, or you can set it up to 30 seconds. Each
Controller has its own speed adjustment
The Controller has eight distinct behaviors that are set with
the single push button. The time between stages is set with
the screwdriver(provided) and trim screw. They are:
• Red, Green
• Red, Yellow, Green
• Red, Yellow, Yellow flash, Green
• R, R&Y, G&Y, Green
• R, R&Y, R&Y-Flash, G&Y-flash, Green

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• Red, fade to Yellow, fade to Green
• Alternate flash Red & Green (speed adjustable) *
• Alternate flash R & G with fade (speed adjustable) *
*For use with gate crossings.
There are two types of controller. One type is for LEDs and
the other is for Fiber Cable lit block signals. Functionally, they
operate identically. Shown on page 11 is our MTT Power
Module and our Precision Detector™ connected to the
Controller. Two wires power the Controller and a single
trigger wire connects the detector to the Controller.
The Controller can light two LED block signals each with three
2-5v LEDS. The Fiber version normally will light a single block
signal in HO, but you can put two N Scale .50mm fibers into a
special two-cable fiber pin. Thus, you can have two 3-light N
scale fiber signal block controlled by a single controller. Fiber
block signals lights are available in O/S with an G scale version
available soon.

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SETUP AND OPERATION
The Controller setup is simple. Connect to a 5-12VDC power source
(or DCC power) to the topmost JST terminals as shown above.
Connect your Signal LEDs as shown on the right. The LEDs can be
common Cathode or Common Anode. Common Cathode means the
COMMON is negative (usually the black wire, but not always).
Common Anode means the COMMON is VCC+, or POSITIVE voltages
and usually a red wire.
The Detect Signal input is an OPEN DRAIN (GROUND) connection.
That means that the signal it’s looking for is a digital LOW.
If you use our MTT Power Module to power your detectors and the
Controller you only need the single yellow SIGNAL wire to connect the
trigger wire.

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If you have another kind of sensor system you can either have them
share the same power supply or use the GROUND terminal. You may
also “short” the ground and the signal to create the same result. In
other words, a simple mechanical switch between SIGNAL and
GROUND will trip the Controller. Very simple.
SELECTING A SIGNAL BEHAVIOR (ASPECTS)
You push the pushbutton the number times need to select and option
according to the table below. Once you stop pushing the button the
Controller will wait 2 seconds and then all the LEDs will turn off. One
second later the green signal LED will blink the number count
matching the button pushes, except for one button push which is the
brightness adjustment mode.
PUSHES
SIGNAL BEHAVIOR
2
Red, Green
3
Red, Yellow, Green
4
Red, Yellow, Yellow flash, Green
5
R, R&Y, G&Y, Green
6
R, R&Y, R&Y-Flash, G&Y-flash, Green
7
Red, fade to Yellow, fade to Green
8
Alternate flash Red & Green (speed adjustable) *
9
Alternate flash R & G with fade (speed adjustable) *
The default setting is 3.

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SELECTING THE BEHAVIOR SPEED
The behavior speed adjustment screw is inside the Controller. You
access it with the provided 2mm screwdriver. Gently turn the screw
inside from zero to about 300 degrees. It does not turn 360 degrees.
Left or counterclockwise is faster (less time between stages), right or
clockwise increases the time between stages. You can make the
adjustment at any time since the Controller reads the setting at the
beginning of each detector trip event.
SETTING THE BIGHTNESS (LED & FIBER)
Setting the brightness for each output is accomplished through a
series of SINGLE pushes to the select button. In an idle state, with no
triggers active, press the select button once. This will START the
sequence to adjust ALL the LED outputs one at a time.
After the first press all the LEDs will light, and the RED led will be
active for the adjustment. You may not see any visible change.
Gently Insert the screwdriver into the adjustment screw hole and turn
the insider screw clockwise and counterclockwise to reach the desired
brightness for the red LED.
When you are happy with the setting, press the select button - once.
This will save the Red LED setting; the Red LED will blink and cycle the
adjustment to the Yellow LED. Adjust as needed. Then press the
button once again. The Yellow LED will blink and then set the mode

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for adjustment to the Green LED. Once you are set with the Green
LED brightness setting, press the select button one final time.
After the final press, all three LEDs will flash and turn off. After that
and depending on the behavior setting, one of two things will happen:
1. If you have set behavior between 2 and 7, the Green LED will light,
and the system will be ready to receive a Block Occupied trip signal.
2. If you have selected either behavior 8 or 9, which are the crossing
gate alternate flash modes, all the LEDs will remain off until a block
occupied trip signal is received.
NOTE: after you have adjusted the brightness, remember to RE-SET
the adjustment screw to the timeout setting you want. Most of the
time when you set the brightness of the LEDs the adjustment screw
will be toward the “high” side, meaning all the way clockwise. This
is also the LONGER time setting for the aspect changes.

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CROSSING GATE LIGHT SETTINGS
The speed of the alternate flashing can be adjusted by turning the
speed adjustment screw. It adjusts the time between stages just as
before but in this case, it is the speed of the back and forth of the two
output ports (red and green). There is no timeout delay option for the
Alternate Flashing modes. Instead, you use the timeout function on
the Precision Sensor (or other sensing system) to decide when to turn
off the alternate flashing LEDs.

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DCC OPERATIONS
The Controller can respond DCC Accessory messages just like your
turnout controllers. You can set the Controller to the SAME address
as a turnout so that when you change the turnout, the Controller
automatically changes the color of the signal. You can also configure
several Controllers to the same switch address so that multiple but
different signal lights will light according to your layout design. Since
routes are a combination of turnout commands, the Controller can
align the signal lights accordingly.
By default, and industry standard, the Controller DCC address is set to
3. You can change it to any valid accessory switch address between 1
and 2044. When the Controller receives a DCC turnout command
(thrown or closed) that matches the Controller address, it will activate
the trip function of the Controller and start the aspect animation.
• Closed means that the siding is closed, and the switch aligns with the
Main Line – meaning the switch should be straight.
• Thrown means that the switch is set to divert the train to the siding or
wherever else it might go, but not straight.
The Controller uses the THROWN direction as a tripped condition.
Since there are only two conditions for a turnout, it makes the most
sense to set the Controller to 2 aspect mode – Red and Green only.
If you find that the Thrown and Closed states are backward to the way
you want to display the signal, simply reverse the wires and/or fiber
cable connections to the Controller.

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To operate the Controller with DCC you must power and connect your
DCC rails A & B to the Controller. For small and medium sized layouts
this should not be a problem since the Controller and LED require
about 30ma each to run. For larger layouts or layouts with a lot of
signals connected to you DCC track we suggest you create a separate
Booster zone. This way, no current will be taken away from the rails
to run the engines.
SETTING THE CONTROLLER ADDRESS
With the Controller in the non-tripped state, press and hold the select
button for about 10 seconds.
Within 1 second of beginning to press the button, all the signal lights
will go out. Usually, it’s just the green light that goes out since it’s the
only one on.
Continue to hold the select button until the light comes back on. Then
release the button.
The green light and the blue power light will begin to flash on and off.
This indicates that the Controller is ready to accept a new address.
To set a new address, select the Accessory/Turnout number that you
want to use on your DCC hand controller. This can be a number from
1-2044. Using your DCC hand controller, enter the number and then
press the appropriate command to set a CLOSED or THROWN switch
event. Either Closed or Thrown will work. This will be slightly different
depending on the brand of DCC system that you are using.

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To exit setting the address mode WITHOUT changing it, press the
select button once. The Controller will return to its ready state.
As soon as you select CLOSED or THROWN, the Controller will flash 4
times and the lights will go off. The Controller is now set to the new
address.
Lastly, the Controller will enter the unoccupied/un-triggered state
which usually means that the green light will go on.
While DCC is connected and active, DCC commands will override the
input signal and latching functions. In other words, you can use
detectors OR DCC to trigger the Controller but not at the same time.

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ELECTRONICS AND STATIC ELECTRICITY
The MTT PRECISION DETECTOR™ - Trackside circuit board and
components are exposed when the cover is off. Static electricity can
cause component failure. Scuffing along a carpet and then touching
one of the component connectors can cause a static spark. These
components are fairly rugged – some designed for the automotive
industry. Just be mindful of the risk. The current on the board will
not harm you if the board is powered as per the instructions.

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ONE YEAR
MANUFACTURER WARRANTY
: We warrant
this
product
to be free from defects in workmanship and
materials, under normal residential use and conditions, for a
period of one (1) year for the original invoice date. Shipping and
handling fees are to be paid for by the customer.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL COMPANY OR ITS
AFFILIATES, PARTNERS, SUPPLIERS OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENCIAL,
SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARRISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE, OR INABILITY TO USE THE
PRODUCT, WHETHER OR NOT THE DAMAGES WERE
FORESEEABLE AND WHETHER OR NOT COMPANY WAS
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. WITHOUT
LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING,
COMPANY’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU SHALL NOT
EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE PRODUCT. THE FOREGOING
LIMITATION WILL APPLY EVEN IF THE ABOVE STATED
REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.

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Signal Controller and Magnetic Bracket

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Version 1.1b
Copyright© 2021 Model Train Technology LLC
Model Train Technology LLC
10524 Moss park Rd. Ste. 204-256
Orlando, Florida 32832
407-242-5436
www.ModelTrainTechnology.com
[email protected]