Issues With WeHonest Crossing Signals With Sound

[freescopesdad]

I recently installed David's signals on three road crossings on my n scale layout. One single track and two double track. These are the $59.99 per crossing product (plus an extra two pair of sensors for the double tracks - 5 pairs of sensors in all) that is prebuilt 3 boards on one master board. I installed the embedded IR sensors as instructed and as far as I can tell after triple checking I've connected everything correctly.

The problem is that the signal comes on when a train trips the first sensor, then goes out after about 5 seconds. The signal goes on again when the train crosses the 2nd sensor, and again goes out after 5 seconds. Obviously this is not the way it is supposed to work. The signals should remain on until the train completely passes the 2nd sensor.

Has anyone else had issues in configuring these signals? If so, please let me know. I have an email into David but I often do not get a reply that makes sense. I know there are a series of 4 red dip switch pairs on the master board, but no instructions on their configuration, if even their settings can fix this problem. Thanks.
Ron

[milw156]

Not familiar with his circuit boards, but from previous experience with the Beta version of ISE's crossing board (dont think its out yet) not all crossing modules support the "approach aspect" that we are familiar with on the prototype. they are basically the "island" in the middle, and have to be set up accordingly. I had to move the IR sensors much closer to the crossing than I would have liked, but otherwise, at 20-25 SMPH, the same thing you described happened. Went back and read the manual (had to download it since it is beta version) and sure enough, states that unit does not support Approach functionality. Bill Denton has an Azatrax unit on his New Lisbon module that does, but he is also using current detection, not IR. My 4 YO grandson & 7 YO granddaughter (who are my only guest operators so far) don't care, and the price was right, so..... I found out real fast that if you put the IR sensors where you thought they SHOULD be, the train didn't even make it to the crossing before the lights & bells stopped doing their thing. the ISE unit has an adjustable delay that can be programmed in, but it does kinda lessen the effect. For a class 2 or 3 RR, this might not be the deal breaker it could be for a high speed class 1.

[Lemosteam]

I realize this will sound like a PITA, but if there are 4 DIP switches, that leaves 16 possible configurations for them.  Maybe work your way through each config and test as you go to note any changes in operation.

Here is the 4 x 4 matrix with green being on and red being off.

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

Believe it or not, that sounds like it might be the prototypical thing to have happen.

There IS a timeout in crossing circuits to account for situations where a train may pull up close to the crossing but not enter it.

In prototype crossings there are actually three different areas. I think I have the name wrong, but there are two approach circuits and an "island" circuit. The approach circuits are the ones that trigger the crossing protection as the train approaches it. If the train does not trip the central island circuit (which generally extends just a few feet from the actual road) within a certain amount of time, the protection ceases. If the the train does then trip that circuit, the protection is triggered again.

It sounds like these are attempting to mimic that behavior.

[freescopesdad]

It is all moot at this point as WeHonest has paid for return shipping to its Canada warehouse and offered a full refund. Although I am made hole by his generous offer, I really wanted these crossings to work as originally described.

[nkalanaga]

One solution may have been to add more sensors, in parallel with the originals, to fill the gaps.

[kiwi_al]

Have you seen this vid?

[Carolina Northern]

My latest set of these arrived yesterday. They were shutting down too fast. I checked my older ones and found the switches were set differently. I got the instructions off the Ebay page and the switches set the timing on how long they stay on after each sensor is tripped.
Changing all the switches to off solved the problem.

If you haven't sent them off, give that a try.

Don

[peteski]

My latest set of these arrived yesterday. They were shutting down too fast. I checked my older ones and found the switches were set differently. I got the instructions off the Ebay page and the switches set the timing on how long they stay on after each sensor is tripped.
Changing all the switches to off solved the problem.

If you haven't sent them off, give that a try.

Don

It would be helpful if you posted s link to the listing where the switch settings are described, or take a screen capture of the info and post the photo.

[Carolina Northern]

Sorry, since he bought them, I assumed he'd know where the listing was. They usually have multiple listings for this item at all times.

Here's one.

www.ebay.com/itm/401971740004

I gave not only where to get the info, but the setting he needed to change and the final setting. Sorry that wasn't enough to help him.

Don

[peteski]

Thanks for the info Don.  As you stated, even if you mentioned the settings, Ron already returned the item to the seller. Still, IMO it's good to have the complete configuration info rather than just a specific setting.  Also, Ron mentioned "I know there are a series of 4 red dip switch pairs on the master board, but no instructions on their configuration, if even their settings can fix this problem." so he might not have seen the configuration diagram in the listing.

Since eBay listings don't last forever, here's a copy of those images so if someone looks for this info in the future, they will find on the Railwire.