Integrated Block Signal Detection System
All necessary Components
The Dwarvin Integrated Block Detection System allows you to integrate 2 Dwarf Block Signals together with 2 side-on Detectors all controlled by the Lamplighter DFL unit.
There is absolutely no programming nor soldering required. The 3 wires from the detectors are attached to the control unit using screws built into the control unit. It couldn't be easier.
The fibers are inserted into two "chimneys". Each can hold either a 1.0mm fiber or a 0.75mm fiber. The HO Dwarf Signal uses a 1mm fiber.
Components of the system
This system is available in HO
Detector Unit
Lamplighter DFL
Dwarf/Tall Signals
Optional Power Supply
To purchase components of this system click on the links below.
Purchase a Kit
All Dwarvin Integrated Block Detection System Kit Components - (You can choose to purchase any kit without the power supply.)
Whether you want a power supply (9V) (extra cost) or not (in which case you can use your DC bus from your layout which must be >7V with center positive wiring into the power jack connector provided in the kit).
Purchase System Components
Instructions
In this video, we take a look at the Dwarven Enterprises Railroad Crossing and Block Detection System, a fully integrated kit that utilizes optical fiber for lighting without wiring. The kit includes a DFL unit that controls everything, railroad crossings that can be used for HO, and N scales, side-on detectors that are easily mounted with the provided kit, a crossing valve, and a crossing bell packaged with wires.
We walk through the kit's components and demonstrate how to assemble and mount the side-on detectors and crossing bell. The video also shows how the kit can be easily converted from a railroad crossing system to a block detection system by moving the jumpers across.
This product system allows you to integrate 2 Dwarf Block Signals together with 2 side-on Detectors all controlled by the Lamplighter DFL unit.
There is absolutely no programming or soldering required. The 3 wires from the detectors are attached to the control unit using screws built into the control unit. It couldn't be easier.
The fibers are inserted into two "chimneys". Each can hold either a 1.0mm fiber or a 0.75mm fiber. The HO Dwarf Signal uses a 1mm fiber.
Whether you want a power supply (9V) (extra cost) or not (in which case you can use your DC bus from your layout which must be >7V with center positive wiring into the power jack connector provided in the kit) and you are done.
If you have a double track, just order another 2 detectors that you will find on our site and they will be added to the kit.
Detection Units
A detector is an essential part of the Dwarvin Integrated Block Detection System.
We offer verticle and side-on detectors.
The Vertical detectors, designed to go under the layout, need only the black mounting bracket. It comes with 2 screws, and mounts underneath to where the end-on detector is mounted. There are 2 flanges on this piece designed to gently grab the detector so that it cannot be easily pulled down from it’s position under the railroad track.
The Side-on detectors come with both the black mounting bracket (+ 2 screws) as well as 2 optional “Electrical” boxes, designed to hide the detector. These mount over the detector allowing the IR sensor to look out through the pill box. These come in two heights. The smaller one positions the detector at 1/2” above the layout surface and the taller one at 13/16th” above the layout surface.
This detector makes detection of locomotives or rolling stock easy and reliable. Just place the sensor where its invisible light beam will reflect off the object of interest and you're done - no time-consuming or frustrating adjustments! Based on modern silicon technology, this reflective infrared proximity sensor is tolerant of ambient (background) lighting conditions, be it completely dark or under full lights, with no false triggering. Combined with a discrete under-track installation, this low-profile sensor solves many of the challenges that plague other optical detector products.
Once a train or carriage goes over the sensor, it reflects the light down into an integrated sensor. This is an all-in-one detector system which does not require separate transmitters and detectors to be mounted at peculiar angles to make it work. The Detectors stay on as long as they "see" an object.
Electrical Connections
It is designed to be used with the Lamplighter® DFL (Dedicated Flasher). The detector comes with a QWIIC connector attached to 8ft of wire. Just plug the output from the unit (the white wire) into the trigger port on the Lamplighter DFL unit, and the power (red and black) into the power output on the DFL unit.
Multiple detectors can be added to the Lamplighter DFL unit You can mix and match this Vertical detector with Side-on ones.
Note that this detector can be used in combination with with other detectors on the same layout and all plugged into the Lamplighter DFL unit.
The Vertical IR Detector is compatible with all model train gauges. It is elegantly simple to mount and operate. It mounts underneath the rails using small drill holes, see the diagram below.
The Detectors come with several extra pieces for mounting.
For more information, click on the following links