Wire the LEDs with a common anode/positive

The majority of commercial grade crossing controllers, including our Grade Crossing Pro, and general crossing flasher circuits use a common anode (positive side of the LED) and control the cathode (negative side) of the left and right LEDs. So for each mast you'll have three connections: common anode, left cathode, right cathode.

You'll need to put resistors on each of the left and right cathode connections otherwise those nice little LEDs will light up REALLY bright - ONCE and only ONCE! The resistor value will depend upon the DC voltage applied to that common anode. As an example, if the common anode is connected to 12V DC then use a resistor value of at least 470 ohms. You can always choose a higher resistor value to lower the LED brightness. 

Hope this helps...

Seeing them in acton

Neil Schofield uses them. They can be seen on his youtube page. Here is a link to his page. You can see them in many of his vids. Hope it helps!

https://www.youtube.com/user/NRS8400/videos

Details West Flashers in Operation

I've built several of the Details West Grade crossing flashers.  To me, they are the best looking flashers on the market, but the first time I built one, it was quite a challenge and took about 4 to 5 hours following the instructions that are included including installation of the LEDs.  The second pair I built went together a lot quicker.

As Chuck pointed out, it's important to identify the negative and positive sides of the LED and wire them accordingly with the brass post used as a positive side while two leads are connected as the negative side (I think).  I used a Circuitron Flashing detection unit connected with alligator clips under the layout.  .  I've attached a couple photos of the completed crossing flashers in action on my Bradford, VT section of the layout included in this months MRH. 

Thanks Ted for pointing them out.

-Neil Schofield

Now....

If I can only get mine to work!!! LOL

Nice work

Thank you for the response Neil.  Wish you had a made a video of you putting them together.   They are the most accurate n my opinion.  The wiring is brutal.  You did an awesome job putting them together icing on the cake is u actually wired them 

Nice...but RTR would be nice

Neil your Details West crossing signals look good and fits in great with your railroad which also looks great!  Everything fits together to create great scenes and your accurate freight trains look good too!  All your cars ffit the era very well and unlike many model videos I do not get bored watching the freight cars roll buy.

Anyhow I have not had great luck with the DW castings. Really wish an accurate RTR or plastic and etched metal kit would be available.  DW look OK if you can get them together, Tomar's look good but are too big (closer to S-scale), I am disappointed with Walthers new ones, NJ International are close but the lights are thick, and the Oregon Rail Supply a little too crude.

Harumph.

Interesting comment

Tom,

A few modelers have said the same thing about crossing flashers. Now im wondering is there a ready to use one that might be worth taking a look at? I understand the mechanics of working lights but I see someone I know putting 20 plus flashing lights (led) on an HO police car!

Ted 

HO grade crossing signals

Busch makes HO scale grade crossing signals that may pass muster and they are ready to install.