Arduino Made Easy(er) IR Sensor Input Lesson 07

In this episode of Arduino Made Easy(er) we use 2 IR Sensors to trigger our procedures. It doesn't matter which sensor is the first to be triggered, we take care of the details in the code. As with the Ambient Light Sensors in the previous episode of Arduino Made Easy(er), we will be simulating a Railroad Grade Crossing for our model Railroad.

There are so many different ways we can automate our Model Railroad with code instead of components in the Arduino IDE that we will have numerous learning opportunities in this series. Follow us from the beginning steps of our series Arduino Made Easy(er) to get the full effect of the power of Arduino.

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[brianh]

Another great lesson Tom. I am really enjoying all of your Arduino lessons. Its great to see a train modeler teaching Arduino programming to fellow modelers.

[mitchrozelle]

Hay, Tom good job agin, it is fun watching these video's .And i got a Arduino uno starter kit and got the uno up loaded and did the first lesson . And my wife didn't beleave that i could it .But did . and got right.Now i'm the cool dude . that's so much for taking the time to teach us about Arduino.

[RonsTrainsNThings]

Good explanation of an interesting project, Tom. Thanks.

[johnmarshall]

I just watched your again video as I wanted a polarity switch for a Diamond crossing using 2 IR sensors, so just added a Relay1 to your sketch and worked a treat also with flashing yellow lights ...

[MonkeyShinesG]

Another excellent video Tom! You’ve helped me with this series of videos tremendously! I wonder if I might make a request?... could you possibly do one more follow up to this video showing how to include the necessary code and electronics to operate a tortoise machine when the signals are triggered? (So I can use it for lowering/raising the gates). Please please please 😁

[cadillacescalade]

Hi there, hope all is well I caught a video of yours showing the Florida weather very scary, I got a challenge for you my friend building a sketch with fade in an fade out for the main crossing and classic flash pattern for the gate lights.
I would love to see a video of this one done, I enjoy all your projects you really have some good ones here.
I was just thinking who would be a great candidate for this project to add to your listing.

[johnnyrobertson]

Hello Tom, first I would like to thank you for the great videos you share with us for it is so wonderful to have gifted people who are willing to share their skills and knowledge to the modeling world. I have a question for you and if you have the time, could you do a video on the crossing that will serve a double main track. Really enjoy your videos, I have learned so much form you and again thank you.

[willannand]

Really liking this series. Learning a lot. Thanks Tom. I have a couple of projects I am interested in. 1. Using an Arduino to control a turntable. AND 2. Since I have an old MRC Prodigy system and a new large layout (176 sq ft of benchwork) I would be interested in how to use an Arduino in conjunction with JMRI and an Android cell phone as a DCC system.

[davidskinner]

Hi Tom, Enjoyed this video on grade crossings, using the arduino and IR sensors. Would it be possible to do an updated video, to explain how to use this format, but for trains running E to W and W to E. Would this require 2 arduinos and 4 IR sensors ?

[joelvale]

Great lesson. Maybe you can make a video of a crossing gate using a servo in the near future using this code? Thanks for all your contributions to the RR hobby.

[nickkedovary]

Is there a modification to the code to have the lights turn off if the other sensor is not reached in X seconds? In the event the train stops before it gets to the other sensor.

[georgeslapointe]

HI ! Did you ever made your arc welder and does it work I'd be defenitly interested. TKS

[cadillacescalade]

Hi, there I got a question for you there sir,
This morning I copied your sketch step by step word for word even scrolled through it quite a few times just to make sure it was all correct grammar an it's all wrote correctly...
As soon as I add in the sensor wires on the board it starts flashing immediately I'm using your same pin #'s an I even swapped pins because I thought maybe something was wrong with my pin but it's a new arduino uno.
As soon as I plug the IR sensors in it doesn't stop flashing I even noticed that you used a ~ on the 2nd flashing

[coreygibson]

Hello. Nice video. I did all of the hardware hook ups, but I cannot find the sketch. I would like to try this. Thanks

[littlefoxley]

Hi Tom, great video again. Problem is I cannot get my leds to stop flashing. They start flashing as soon as I upload? any suggestion? thanks Chris

[cadillacescalade]

hi, Tom great video this is exactly what I'm looking for.
but a total of 4 IR sensors
what would I need to do to add 2 more sensors for this operation?

[Sherm]

Tom, I'm at a loss. No matter where I try to get to, including Tomstrainsandthings/arduino, all I ever get to is a bunch of links to other sites. What should I be trying next?

[cadillacescalade]

I've added extra code to your sketch for Sound, Now I have a signal bell that can be inner changed for different types of bells.
Thinking about adding servos to it.

[kennethkolman]

I run G scale in the back yard which sensors would work best outside under various light condition

[redwoodcityintheuknscalera]

It's ok but what if you have two mainline tracks and trains running in opposite direstions