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--- gca190-en [2022/02/18 22:16] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ gca190-en [2025/06/29 13:41] (current) – [Description] phg
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   *  3.  MFX and Railcom and Lissy, sending back their decoder address, but the exact location has to be added separately.\\
   *  4.  Reedcontacts and hall sensors, needing a magnet under your riding material. GCA  offers the GCA173 (GCA179) for that option.\\
-  *  5.  Infra red gates or reflectors. GCA has the GCA133 and GCA141(LocoNet) in program to achieve that
+  *  5.  GCA173 can also be used together with GCA173i, to use it as reflection Infra-rad sensors.
-  *  6.  RFID, a system where a transponder is fixed to the rolling stock.
+  *  6.  GCA173, with adapted firmware, can als be used with GCA173 wheel-counter. Rocrail is also adapted to this.
-  *  7.  Many other, ususally more expensive, systems.
+  *  7.  Infra red gates or reflectors. GCA has the GCA133 and GCA141(LocoNet) in program to achieve that
-  *  8.  GCA190:
+  *  8.  RFID, a system where a transponder is fixed to the rolling stock.
+  *  9.  Many other, ususally more expensive, systems.
-IR detection for feed-back of your trains always seemed to be either hard, or complicated.\\
+  *  10.  GCA190,  IR detection for feed-back of your trains always seemed to be either hard, or complicated.
-But now you can choose for GCA190. \\
+         It is rather easy to install, and no cutting in the tracks is needed.
-It is rather easy to install, and no cutting in the tracks is needed.\\
+         The used sensor is a TCRT5000, and is not sensitive for normal (day)light.
-The used sensor is a TCRT5000, and is not sensitive for normal (day)light.\\
+         Consider this:  A TL lamp straight above sensor on a distance of 1,5 m is too much light.\\
-Consider this:  A TL lamp straight above sensor on a distance of 1,5 m is too much light.\\
+         In those cases, fit the sensor with an angle so the light does not radiate in directly.\\
-In those cases, fit the sensor with an angle so the light does not radiate in directly.\\
+         The way the systems works is not suitable for wheel (-magnet) counting because it reacts on almost anything that approaches within 15 mm distance\\
-The way the systems works is not suitable for wheel (-magnet) counting because it reacts on almost anything that approaches within 15 mm distance\\
+         To get a very good signal, some black plastic wagons might need a bit of white paint on the bottom,\\
-To get a very good signal, some black plastic wagons might need a bit of white paint on the bottom,\\
+         but anything metal will be detected 100%, even the axes of the wheels.\\
-but anything metal will be detected 100%, even the axels of the wheels.\\
+         The benefit of this unit is a reliable and simple way of installation.\\
-The benefit of this unit is a reliable and simple way of installation.\\
+         The unit comes as a set with 8 sensor boards and an connection/indication board, with the standard  \\
-The unit comes as a set with 8 sensor boards and an connection/indication board, with the standard  \\
+         interface connection, which adapts GCA50(0)(a)(LocoNet), CAN-GC2(CBUS), RocNet (Raspberry Pi) and WIO.\\
-interface connection, which adapts GCA50(0)(a)(LocoNet), CAN-GC2(CBUS), RocNet (Raspberry Pi) and WIO.\\
+         It also can be used for connection with S88 modules, but then 5V should be added for supply.  Ask [[peter.giling@rocrail.net|Peter]].\\
-It also can be used for connection with S88 modules, but then 5V should be added for supply.  Ask [[peter.giling@rocrail.net|Peter]].\\
+         With all 8 sensors connected, the board needs 65 mA at 5V supply.\\
-With all 8 sensors connected, the board needs 65 mA at 5V supply.\\
+         When sensors are 'active', the current will increase by 4 mA for each sensor.\\
-When sensors are 'active', the current will increase by 4 mA for each sensor.\\
+         The sensor itself fits nicely on the solder-side but can be connected with wires to it, if needed.\\
-The sensor itself fits nicely on the solder-side but can be connected with wires to it, if needed.\\
+         TCRT5000 sensor is also available as a type with longer wires (TCRT5000L).\\
-TCRT5000 sensor is also available as a type with longer wires (TCRT5000L).\\
+         The size of it is 5,5x10mm, and could be mounted sideways along a track, where it will react on passing wheels, or fits between the sleepers.\\
-The size of it is 5,5x10mm, and could be mounted sideways along a track, where it will react on passing wheels, or fits between the sleepers.\\
+         The first look into the technical description showed that the sensor needs quite some current :  60 mA.\\
-The first look into the technical description showed that the sensor needs quite some current :  60 mA.\\
+         That was not acceptable, since an octal set of these sensors like this GCA190, would draw almost 0.5Amp !!\\
-That was not acceptable, since an octal set of these sensors like this GCA190, would draw almost 0.5Amp !!\\
+         The TCRT5000 could easily be used without any pc-board, but because of this power consumption, a board was \\
-The TCRT5000 could easily be used without any pc-board, but because of this power consumption, a board was \\
+         indispensable with the extra Fet Transistor and two resistors.\\
-indispensable with the extra Fet Transistor and two resistors.\\
+         That made it possible to reduce the power consumption dramatically.\\
-That made it possible to reduce the power consumption dramatically.\\
+         All together, the board remains small, and will fit nicely under the track.\\
-All together, the board remains small, and will fit nicely under the track.\\
 \\
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 \\
-=====A different approach=====
+=====Different options=====
-The sensors as used in the GCA190 board are working fine when the sensor is not exposed to much light.\\
+)The sensors as used in the GCA190 board are working fine when the sensor is not exposed to much light.\\
-There is also an option for a different sensor board, which does also be used in normal lighted area.\\
+There is also an option for a different sensor board, which can also be used in normal lighted area.\\
-This sensor is mounted on a small board , GCA173i, which has an Infrared transiever on board and a free ir led.\\
+This sensor is mounted on a small board , GCA173i, which has an Infrared transiever on board and a separate IR led.\\
-The led can be place opposite the transceiver ( where a train runs through the beam and braks the Infrared light beam.\\
+The led can be placedd opposite the transceiver ( where a train runs through the beam and braks the Infrared light beam.\\
 Put the led along the transceiver and you will have a signal when the Infrared beam is reflected.\\
+)There is also a small board GCA94-s available which will be published in short time.\\
+This unit is 1/8 of the GCA94, which is sensing currents that can be as low as coming from an N-track train, to any large scale, like G or 1,\\
+and also provides a 100% isolation with anything, achieved by the use of a current transformer coil.
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 |  {{:gca:gca190_pcb.pdf|Pc-board and parts positions}}  |
 |  {{:gca:gca190_parts.pdf|Bill of materials}}  |
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