Installing ![NightScope™](images/night_scope_logo_blue-72.png)
Infrared Detectors
These step-by-step photos supplement the NightScope™ Infrared Detector Product Manual.
For applications where the Infrared Detector does not need to be hidden (detecting trains in a helix, for example), you can skip all of this. Simply drill a 3/8" hole and glue the Infrared Detector in place.
For a simpler yet still hidden installation, see the alternative installation page.
Installation Diagrams
![HO Scale Installation](images/ns_install_fig1.jpg)
HO Scale installation (Figure 1 in the Product Manual)
![N Scale Installation](images/ns_install_nscale.jpg)
Suggested N Scale installation
For N Scale, angling the LED and Sensor hole locations will minimize the number of ties to remove.
Step-By-Step Photos
Installing a NightScope™ Infrared Detector: HO track on Homasote on 3/4" plywood roadbed. Step numbers correspond to the installation steps in the Product Manual.
Start with the Pilot Hole
![Step 1](images/step-1.jpg)
Step 1: Center point for 1/16" Pilot Hole marked.
![Step 2a](images/step-2a.jpg)
Step 2a: Drilling...
![Step 2b](images/step-2b.jpg)
Step 2b: Pilot Hole done.
Blind Drill the Detector Body Hole from Below
![Step 3a](images/step-3a.jpg)
Step 3a: A thin wire measures the depth of the Pilot Hole.
![Step 3b](images/step-3b.jpg)
Step 3b: Hold the wire end flush with the bottom of the hole. Pinch the wire flush with ballast top to mark the depth.
![Step 3c](images/step-3c.jpg)
Step 3c: Depth of hole...
![Step 3d](images/step-3d.jpg)
Step 3d: Mark Pilot Hole depth on convenient surface, like the adjacent roadbed.
![Step 3e](images/step-3e.jpg)
Step 3e: To blind drill within 3/16" of surface, subtract 3/16" and mark.
![Step 3f](images/step-3f.jpg)
Step 3f: Align 1/8" drill bit and wrap with masking tape to mark depth.
![Step 3g](images/step-3g.jpg)
Step 3g: Blind drill from bottom following the Pilot Hole.
![Step 3h](images/step-3h.jpg)
Step 3h: Not quite deep enough...
![Step 3i](images/step-3i.jpg)
Step 3i: Stop when tape touches the surface.
![Step 3j](images/step-3j.jpg)
Step 3j: Follow 1/8" hole with 1/4" and then 3/8" bits, both taped for blind depth.
![Step 3k](images/step-3k.jpg)
Step 3k: Pilot Hole visible in the middle of the Body Hole — perfect result!
Finish with the LED and Sensor Holes
![Step 4a](images/step-4a.jpg)
Step 4a: Use the blunt end of a 7/32" drill bit centered on the pilot hole to mark the LED and Sensor Holes.
![Step 4b](images/step-4b.jpg)
Step 4b: Holes are marked.
![Step 4c](images/step-4c.jpg)
Step 4c: 1/16" pilot holes done.
![Step 5/6a](images/step-56a.jpg)
Steps 5 & 6a: Pilot holes are enlarged for the LED and Sensor Holes. If you do not have an 11/64" bit for the Sensor hole, work a 5/32" bit to enlarge to 11/64".
![Step 5/6b](images/step-56b.jpg)
Steps 5 & 6b: Smaller LED Hole above the larger Sensor Hole in this view from below.
![Step 7](images/step-7.jpg)
Step 7: All done and ready for action!