DCCar Eight channel infra-red stop unit
ST8DCC, ST8PDCC or ST8REL, ST8PREL

Using this module you can stop vehicles fitted with DC-Car decoders and infra-red recievers at upto eight locations.
These units do not stop vehicles that are not fitted with DC-Car infra-red recievers!
The unit is available in four versions:

1. The ST8DCC can be used with a DCC controller and/or relays and switches.
2. The ST8PDCC supplies more power for the LEDS.
3. The ST8REL can be used only with relays or switches, not a DCC controller.
4. The ST8PREL supplies more power for the LEDS.

All that you need to make an infra-red stop is an infra-red LED and a resistor.
Magnetic stop coils and the decoders or relays to control them are no longer needed.

As soon as the unit is switched on all the infra-red stop outputs are active!

Using the ST8DCC with a DCC controller:

If the unit is attached to a DCC controller, then the 8 infra-red stop outputs can be switched independently. The control is exactly the same as for other items operated by DCC accessory modules.

Using the ST8REL/ST8DCC without a DCC controller:

The unit sends a pulsed infra-red signal from all eight infra-red stops which is picked up by vehicles fitted with DC-Car infra-red recievers. By putting a switch or relay in series with the LED each stop can be turned on or off. The strength of the infra-red signal can be varied by using a different value resistor.

If the infra-red stop is used in a car park or storage yard, the vehicle will still draw current from its battery whilst it is stationary.
If left parked for a while this can completely drain the battery. In order to preserve the battery's charge, it must be switched off either by hand, or a reed switch needs to be installed in the vehicle that turns the power from the battery off.

As an example, so that a fire-engine could be parked, powered off, in the fire station I installed a reed switch under the vehicle's roof that switched the positive supply from the battery on or off.
I installed a magnetic stop coil in the fire station above the vehicle and thus the fire engine can be switched on or off.
If the coil is too large, then a permanent magnet can be used, which is moved by a servo or similar mechanism.

Assembly of the infra-red stop:

The infra-red LED is placed in such a way next to/over/in the road that the vehicles run into its beam.
The infra-red LED must be aligned so that vehicles are able to "see" it.

On straight roads the vehicle starts to brake about 8-10cm away from the infra-red stop and stops about 4-5cm away from it.
Sometimes you need traffic in a parallel lane to carry on unaffected by the infra-red stop. In this case you can either increase the value of the resisitor or build two LEDs, one behind the other, into the roadway so that they shine upwards. The LEDs should be placed about 10cm apart, but this will vary depending on individual circumstances.
When the vehicle drives over the first LED it will start to brake and by the time it reaches the second one will be travelling so slowly that it stops. For these LEDS you should use some which have a wide beam angle. Both LEDS are attached, using their own resistor, to the same output.

How many LEDs can I attach to an output?

See FAQ

ST8DCC manual as pdf file

ST8DCC power version manual as pdf file

ST8REL manual as pdf file

ST8REL power version manual as pdf file

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Disclaimer:
This page has been translated, with permission, from a page on Claus Ilchmann’s web site.
The original page, in German, is located here.
This translation is provided with no guarantee of accuracy or liability for errors.
Should you decide to use the DC-Car system then you should check that the functionality meets your needs by reference to the manufacturer’s web site.