EZ Track Auto-Reverse

[BobZ]

What 'triggers' the auto-reversal when using the EZ Track product that would be located at each end of a length of track?

[the Bach-man]

Dear Bob,
A gap in the track triggers the reverse when the wheel makes the connection.
Have fun!
the Bach-man

[Joe323]

I have this product and it works quite well for my subway display except for one issue when the subway reaches the end and the power cuts it turns off the lights in the cars.  Wondering if any has made a keep alive circuit for lighting?

[ACY]

Wondering if any has made a keep alive circuit for lighting?

You can probably install a capacitor in your subway cars to keep the lights on.

[bbmiroku]

The power-off time can be anywhere from 10 -> 20+ seconds in my experience, depending on the power supplied to the track.  Less power, longer wait.  If they make a tiny capacitor that can keep power for 30 seconds, that would be ideal.

[Len]

You could install a battery powered LED light board, with one of those 'magnetic wand' triggered On/Off switches. Then it wouldn't matter what was going on with the track power.

Len

[Joe323]

Well I was thinking that the first thing I should do is time the blackout periods.  10 to 20 seconds seems like a long time to depend on a capacitor. Plus not being that well versed in electronics I have no idea what capacitor to buy.

I think then I should solder it between the lead to the bulb is that correct? They are regular incadescent bulbs(though while I have the Top open maybe I should convert it to LEDs?).

Len could you be more specific about those light boards.  Who makes them?

[Len]

Rapido and Fox Valley Models are two of the more readily available sources.

Rapido calls there's the "Easy Peasy" system. The HO version is item #102003 for the full size version, and item #102013 for the 'shorty' car version. If space is really tight, item #102021 is their N-scale version.

The Fox Valley Models HO board is item #19999, and their N-scale board is item #49999.

A bit of Google searching will find them for prices lower than the MSRP.

Len

[Joe323]

Len;

Thanks, I may order the easy peasy system for my birthday next week.  Do you happen to know what battery it uses.

[ACY]

The Rapido lights come with batteries, the batteries aren't a very common type though, I think they are a 3V button-cell or something similar.

[Len]

The boards use two LR41, or equivalent, 1.5V batteries in series to provide 3V's to the board. Fresh batteries will provide 72 - 96 hours of 'On' time to the LED's. So battery life is dependent on how often, and how long, you turn the lights on.

LR41 batteries, or their equivalents, are available at most department and grocery stores.

Len

[Joe323]

Len:

Thanks that should be plenty of time,

[ACY]

LR41 batteries, or their equivalents, are available at most department and grocery stores.

I've never in my life seen them in a grocery store/supermarket. I have only seen AA, AAA, C, D, 9V etc there, never anything similar to the button cells, coin cells et al.

[Len]

I guess it depends on where you live. I get them all the time at the local Wally-Mart, and other places, for my lighted magnifying glass, and other odds and ends.

ETA: If you can't find LR41's, any of these will also work:

SR41, G3, LR4192, LR736, A63, AG3, SR41SW, 325, 384, 392, SR736,
SB-A1/D1, 280-18, V384, D384, 247, GP192, S736E, SR736PW, SR736SW,
TR41SW and SR41W.

Len

[bbmiroku]

Jut make sure the batteries AND the track aren't supplying power at the same time, or the lights will flare out.