Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

TrainBoss™ Defect Detector FAQs

1. What are the power requirements for the TrainBoss™ Defect Detector?

The TrainBoss™ Defect Detector requires 7 to 9 Volts AC or 9 to 12 Volts DC, and will draw up to 250 mA.

You will need to provide a power source of the correct type (AC or DC) and voltage, with at least the current capacity shown. For example, the Radio Shack 9V/300mA AC Adapter (#273-314) works well for either Track Scale as it provides the correct voltage and more current (300 mA) than either scale requires. Simply clip off the modular connector plug and separate and strip the wires.

Warning: Do not exceed 9 Volts AC or 12 Volts DC as this will damage the Defect Detector circuit board.

Warning: Do not share an AC Adaptor with other electronics as this will lead to humming or buzzing interference in the audio output.

2. What speakers do you recommend for the TrainBoss™ Defect Detector?

While you can connect any 8 ohm speaker to the SPEAKER output of the Defect Detector, we recommend a set of powered speakers with a 1/8" (3.5 mm) input plug connected to the Defect Detector's LINE output.

Powered speakers have enclosures designed for their amplifier and speaker characteristics. They produce a higher sound quality with volume control. Some include tone control too.

We have had good results with low priced powered speakers from Dell and Amazon priced at about $10. The CA-2014 Computer Speaker System from Cyber Acoustics is a good choice.

Warning: Connecting a speaker rated less than 8 ohms to the SPEAKER terminal block will damage the circuit board.

3. I'm a large scale modeler and use Code 332 rail. Will the TrainBoss™ Defect Detector work for me?

Yes, but you will need special Axle Sensors to clear your taller rail.

If your rail is larger than Code 125 (1/8"), please let us know when you order (send us an email). We will provide longer LED leads on your Axle Sensors.

Longer LED leads will allow you to install the Axle Sensors across one rail (as in Figure 1 in the Product Manual) with the LED inside the rail and a bit higher than the railhead. When you bend the LED back to face the sensor, it will be pointing down slightly but the infrared beam will clear the railhead and hit the sensor.

Drew Madere is an outstanding O Scale 3-Rail modeler. This photo shows how he installed his Axle Sensors. See his February 20, 2011 photos on his website for more views.

Drew Madere installed Axle Sensors with extra long LED leads for his TrainBoss™ Defect Detector. This allows the infrared beam to pass over the tall railhead.

4. My TrainBoss™ Defect Detector miscounts axles. How do I correct that?

Incorrect axle counts are caused by either poor Axle Sensor alignment or low-hanging details on cars -- or both. By correcting these two error causes, your TrainBoss™ axle counts will be right on the money every time.

Installing TrainBoss™ Axle Sensors shows how to adjust your Axle Sensors for optimal performance. Follow these suggestions and test with long trains and a variety of equipment.

The same article also explains how to find low-hanging details on cars (see "If you find an occasional high axle count" at the end). Removing the offending interference will eliminate the incorrect axle count. Coupler "glad hands" will not trigger the Axle Sensors.

Finally, some model railroad electronics installed on railcar trucks hang low enough to interrupt the Axle Sensor infrared beam and cause a miscount. The EOT Device from Ring Engineering, for example, may cause one axle to be counted for the two axles in the last truck of a train.

5. After installing my TrainBoss™ Defect Detector, the yellow LED above the "S" input doesn't flash when a car goes by, and I don't hear a speed or length message. Is there something wrong with the "S" Axle Sensor?

Check to see that the "J9" jumper was removed as described in Step 2 of the Wiring Instructions (Section 4) in the Product Manual. This jumper must be removed to allow the "S" Axle Sensor to operate and for the Defect Detector to produce Speed and Length reports.

6. After installing my TrainBoss™ Defect Detector, every train reports a defect. Is there something wrong with my Detector?

Check to see that a normally open (n. o.) type push button is connected as the Next Train Switch as described in Step 6 of the Wiring Instructions (Section 4) in the Product Manual. A normally closed (n. c.) type will cause the problem you describe.

WeighStation™ Track Scale FAQs

1. What are the power requirements for the WeighStation™ Track Scale?

The power requirements for the WeighStation™ Track Scale are as follows:

The Digital Display (WS-21D) Track Scale requires 7 to 9 Volts AC or 9 to 12 Volts DC, and will draw up to 250 mA.

The Meter Display (WS-21M) Track Scale requires 7 to 9 Volts AC or 9 to 12 Volts DC, and will draw up to 50 mA.

Warning: Do not exceed 9 Volts AC or 12 Volts DC as this will damage the Track Scale circuit board.

2. Radio Shack no longer carries the Radio Shack #273-027 AC Adapter cited in previous WeighStation™ Track Scale documentation. Is there an alternative?

Yes, the Radio Shack 9V/300mA AC Adapter (#273-314) has replaced that previous model and has the same electrical specifications.

3. Does the WeighStation™ Track Scale really weigh model railroad railcars?

No. This product simulates weighing for model railroad operations, and does not provide the true weight of rail cars.

4. Does the WeighStation™ Track Scale have a digital output connection (USB, RS232, etc.) for printing waybills?

No. We did consider a printer interface such as USB in the initial design but dropped it for two reasons. First the cost would have put WeighStation above its price target. Second, and more importantly, feedback from users indicated that engaging the operating crews in recording car numbers and weights with pencil and paper provided more “play value” and satisfaction. That continues to be the feedback from users.

In support of pencil and paper, our website has ideas for adding weight to traditional 4-cycle car cards. The more prototypical waybills that others are starting to discuss in the hobby press have weighing information fields already built in.

You may want to visit the ProTrak website. They have a set of integrated products for automated paper work for operations, including a track scale. They also offer some really good examples of prototype paperwork.

5. When weighing a string of freight cars, my WeighStation™ Track Scale will not ramp down to zero between cars. What do I need to do?

The NightScope™ Infrared Detector should catch the space between cars and trigger the WeighStation™ Track Scale for each car. The Infrared Detector is fairly powerful, as it has to work at awkward angles in very short spaces, especially in N Scale. We have seen it detect couplers between cars, and that may be what you are experiencing.

If mounted between the rails, try moving your Infrared Detector off center to avoid the couplers. Better yet, move it outside of the rails for even a non-gantlet installation.

If your Infrared Detector is already mounted outside of the rails (at the distance shown for a gantlet arrangement in the Product Manual), be sure the Detector is mounted so the LED and Sensor Shroud are below the roadbed surface. Pull the Detector down a bit further to see if that catches the space between cars. You can also try rotating the Detector in it's hole so the LED and Sensor are at a right angle to the rail. As the LED moves away from the rails, the sensitivity of the Detector will drop.

NightScope™ Infrared Detector FAQs

1. What is the difference between the NS-340/342 and NS-350/352 NightScope™ Infrared Detectors?

The NS-340/342 Detectors included a weak (4.7k ohm) pull up resistor on the Detect Low (YELLOW) output. This resistor is removed in the NS-350/352 Detector, allowing it to interface with a greater variety of model railroad electronic systems.