Reverse loop with Arduino

[mp44_tom]

Hi Guys

 

One thing i want for my layout is a reverse loop, so i started digging into that (and remember I am pretty new to Railway modelling and Electronics.....

 

So the first thing I build was a manual reverse loop, with a DPDT switch for changing the polarity, and a Switch for the Turnout

 

I guess most of you guys know about the reversing loop so i wont go into details about that other than it needs an Isolated loop and something to change the polarity..

 

Anyway, here the first solution I came up with 

 

 

Just to test things out ( For example i didn't know at first that you could change polarity while the train is in the loop.....

 

After that i googled on reverse loop and came up with a solution that needs an Arduino, but I am also very inexperienced in those things.... Well one has to learn 😉

 

I found a film from DIY and Digital Railroad which showed an automated loop with the help of an Arduino, 2 Infra red sensors and 2 Relays

 

And while the film was a little unclear about some aspects (at least for me) I bought 2 arduinos for 7,50 € and a motorshield, IR sensors and a 2 Relay Module ( total cost aprox 10 €)

 

So i finally made this...

 

 

And it works pretty well !! at almost no cost.....

 

So my big question ofcourse is : is there another way to detect the train is in the loop ? with a current sensor or something

 

Do you guys have other solutions ??

 

Hope you like it and I'd love to hear from you...

 

Tom 

www.mp44.nl

 

 

Tom

 

 

[chadbag]

I’m not an expert on detection etc. I used DCC and just by detection modules.  However you could probably do something with current. I’m pretty sure something like that is how it works.