| Description of the Universal Trackside Accessory Controller | NEXT |
Three-Rail Innovations' Universal Trackside Accessory Controller gives the toy train operator the ultimate device for activating trackside accessories when trains move into designated track sections.
| What is the Universal Trackside Accessory Controller? | INDEX |
There are eight inputs that are connected to isolated-rail track blocks and eight outputs that are connected to four to eight trackside accessories. Two sets of four jumpers determine which of the eleven ways accessories will be activated. Accessories can be activated in different ways to provide realistic operation of different trackside accessories, add action to the layout, or increase the safety of your trackside accessory.
| The UTAC Circuit Board | INDEX |
The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller is an electronic circuit board, approximately 5 1/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches. Electronic components provide complete isolation among inputs, outputs, Controller power, and the Controller's circuitry. A small microprocessor is used for all logic, control, and timing functions.
The UTAC circuit board is arranged with a wire connector for inputs on the left and two wire connectors for outputs on the right. There are also a block of jumper pins and a power connector on the left. The controller uses LEDs to show activity. A status LED shows power and proper operation. Eight LEDs glow to show that an output is activated.
The UTAC uses insulated outside-rail track sections to sense a train and electronic alternating-current "switches" (triacs) to activate accessory lights and solenoids.
Wires from insulated rail track sections go to the Input Connector. Inputs are powered from a fixed-voltage, AC transformer between twelve and twenty volts. Connections consume very little power; a hundred active input connections can be driven with a one-ampere transformer.
Accessories are wired to the Output Connectors. Each of the eight output switches can drive up to two amperes of AC power at up to thirty volts.
The UTAC circuit board is powered by an AC transformer between nine and twelve volts. The controller uses little power; ten controllers can be powered from one ampere of power.
Two banks of four jumper-pairs provide for operator selection of UTAC features. Each bank selects from sixteen different control feature combinations.
| UTAC Specifications Summary | INDEX |
Three-Rail Innovations' Universal Trackside Accessory Controller is expressly designed for the toy train operator and to be used on a toy train layout.
The following table provides operating specifications for the UTAC.
| INPUTS | ||
| Number of Inputs | 8 | (In two banks of four each) |
| Input Voltage | 9 - 20 Volts | Must be Alternating Current |
| Input Current | < 10ma | When Activated |
| Wire Size Range | 26 - 18 AWG | (22 AWG suggested) |
| OUTPUTS | ||
| Number of Outputs | 8 | (In two banks of four each) |
| Output Max Current | 2 Amperes | Continuous, Each Output |
| Output Voltage | 8 - 30 Volts | Must be Alternating Current |
| Wire Size Range | 26 - 14 AWG | |
| POWER | ||
| Board Power Voltage | 9 - 12 Volts | Must be 60 Hz Alternating Current |
| Max Current | < 100ma | |
| Wire Size Range | 26 - 14 AWG | (22 AWG suggested) |
| PHYSICAL | ||
| Physical Dimensions | 5.225 x 3.775 Inches | |
| .9 Inches Above Circuit Board | ||
| OPERATING ENVIRONMENT | ||
| Operating Temperature | 40 F to 90 F | |
| Cooling | Unrestricted Air Movement Required | |
| Static Cautions | None | |
| MOUNTING | ||
| Mounting Holes | #4 Screw | In each of Four Corners |
| Mounting Method | 2 - 4 | Standoffs or Brackets |
| Mounting Position | Any |
| UNIVERSAL TRACKSIDE ACCESSORY CONTROLLER TOPICS | |