Workshop Tip #4: Resistor Wheelsets for Block Detection

[@patmccarthy1624]

I've never seen anybody show me how to do this! Breaking ground here, Rob! Thanks!

[@yorkiepudd7404]

Thanks Ron & Dale for a great tutorial.

[@TheGrover1968]

You keep coming up with interesting stuff. I like videos that are informative but, not commercials.

[@scottsilvey7522]

Thanks Rob for a very informative video, and thank you Dale also! I have the NCE DCC and I have been looking at their detection system. Once you do a few wheel sets and get the hang of the operation you could knock out quite a few in a matter of hours and the cost of buying wheels already done vs doing them yourself is a no brainer. I have around 250 freight cars and cabooses so I know what route I choose!!

[@d-rail7271]

I think I might be inclined to try soldering them (with the superglue or something to temporarily hold them in place). Surprised there's no NMRA Standards Gauge in the tools there, seems like a great time to check them before you make the insulated end permanently fixed. Always love your videos. Happy holidays from Kingston, Ontario, Canada

[@whisper31999]

Yes thank you Dale.

[@DrewToner]

Oh Rob, when I'm watching ballet, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen long enough to . . . Yea right!!!!

[@robbennett1965]

LOL. There is one in every crowd...

[@thomasgrassi8817]

Great stuff been looking into doing this for my railroad have Block detection almost completed My caboose's are lighted so I have detection at both ends but I would like to have all the cars setup for detection. My only issue is finding the surface mount resisters one place would only sell 5000 I would never need that many Only need about 100 or so. If you have any suggestions or links to sites that would be great thanks Tom

[@larryjanson4011]

i bought a smaller number of them (will cover far more than i need), but shipping cost more. and these things are very tiny.

[@everonrailways8399]

20:06 God I love signals, and that is awesome (prototypical approach lit signals)!

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks- they are kinda fun.

[@mrkattm]

good how to video... question, how big are your detection blocks? I ask because if multiple axles can fit into a detection block then the resistance seen will be the resistance divided by the number of detectable axles which may reduce the criticality of what resistance you choose to use.

[@robbennett1965]

On my layout they are a bit longer than a train length, except interlockings and grade crossing blocks. Basically they are "between signals", interlockings themselves and some sub-blocks for grade crossing approaches and island.

[@seanbaldwin7933]

Hi Rob, great I run or will be running the same JLC detectors and boards, one thing you need to watch with SMD resistors is they come in different sizes, 305,405,505 being 305 from memory the smallest SMD resistor (not resistor value), so I assume we to everyone looking at these when buying offline get the smallest resistor package for better success or end up with a chunky resistor on the wheel :). Hope that helps before you buy them as well, or hoping you haven't yet lol. Look forward to more vids :)

[@robbennett1965]

Thanks Sean. I haven't bought any yet. From seeing the 1206's Dale had they seem to be a good size.

[@seanbaldwin7933]

fair enough, but great tutorial, I have seen others and something I am not looking forward to doing hahaha, but hey we want these systems we pay the price lol

[@gmmeier321]

Use the cocktail stick! Lol 😝

[@robbennett1965]

I love that commercial!

[@gmmeier321]

Rob Bennett My wife cracks up every time its on.

[@yrunaked4]

Rob, great video / how to. Thanks for the demo Dale. Those signals are on spot, very sharp but those utility poles behind them are just as striking. do you have a video on the utility poles or if they are purchased can you give a source please? Cheers Rob T

[@robbennett1965]

Those I scratch-built. They are for a HV line running along the road which will make a 90 deg turn at those poles then run to a substation. I don't recall if I did a video on them- I'd have to search my own videos!

[@royhcoll]

I just have one question. What watt resistor are you using?

[@ChessiePAdiv]

Very exciting progress toward fully functional signals! How is your fleet of rolling stock coming along?

[@robbennett1965]

I just got two Bowser covered hoppers! So it is slowly expanding. Now if I would just build all the Sunshine, Funaro, Westerfield and other craftsman kits I have there would be a plethora of available rolling stock!

[@DruSteel69]

Awesome!

[@boylesterminalshops6841]

Now does every car in a train have to have one of these? Or just a handful?

[@robbennett1965]

I am sure there are many opinions on this. I plan to have one per car. One likely could get by with less. Some swear you must use two per car. There can be cases were not having every car detected COULD affect the programming. For Example, on the intermediate approach-lit signals. If a train stops across the signal gap, and the "rear" part still in the approach block doesn't have any resistors the block will appear unoccupied. So the train will be sitting in both blocks yet the signal would go dark, as the program "thinks" the approach block is unoccupied thus turn the signals off. It could also affect grade crossings.

[@kmagnussen1052]

How about putting them on the locomotives? Just across the truck power leads? Either way it is about leaking voltage across the rails in the block.

[@kevinbergeman4069]

Not necessary. The locomotive decoder (for dcc) or the motor (for dc) already provides sufficient current path for the detector.

[@1990sRailfan]

21:19 Bruce Chubb? Is that the Bruce Chubb of " The Sunset Valley" fame?

[@robbennett1965]

The one and only. He developed the C/MRI system.

[@1990sRailfan]

@@robbennett1965 I remember him from an early 1980's Kalmbach video, I think it was 'Wiring for Model Railroads'.

[@cprtrain]

Where can I get wire glue?

[@robbennett1965]

I saw it at Amazon. Just search for "wire glue".