Products covered by this FAQ#

This FAQ covers the full Trixbrix automation line - cables and power, controllers, servo motors, and detection and signalling.

Cables & Power

• Extension Cable 90 cm
• Extension Cable 200 cm
• Splitter Cable 45 cm
• Power Supply (5V, 2.1A, USB)

Controllers

• Switch Controller for Original Lego Switches
• All-In-One Controller

Servo Motors

• Servo Motor for Original Lego Switches
• Left Switch Servo Motor
• Right Switch Servo Motor
• Boom Barrier Servo Motor

Detection & Signals

• Train Detector
• Train Signal Mast with LEDs
• Boom Barrier LEDs

How many extension cables can I use, and how many switches fit on one output?#

Extension cable limits

You can chain up to 6 × 90 cm extension cables between a controller and a Trixbrix switch, or 4 × 90 cm between a controller and an original Lego switch. Lego switches need more torque, so they tolerate less voltage drop.

Splitter cables - switches per output

Up to 3 switches can share a single output via splitter cables. Outputs are switched one after another (not simultaneously), so the full amperage is always drawn from a single output at a time.

Power supply capacity

Up to 3 controllers can be powered from one supply, depending on how loaded each controller is. If every controller is fully populated with 4 servos, avoid switching points on multiple controllers at once. If you draw too much power, a controller simply resets - that's your signal to add another supply.

You can use our power supply or a regular micro-USB adapter rated around 2 A. Each servo draws about 0.5 A while switching and essentially nothing when idle, so the limit is almost entirely about simultaneous switching.

Can two switches connected to one controller be controlled independently?#

No. When two switches are connected to a single controller, they always change state together - pressing the button on the controller toggles both. Truly independent control requires two separate controllers.

Can I make my own shorter / custom extension cables?#

We don't offer custom-length cables - we source them ready-made. If you want to go DIY, our extension cables are standard 3-wire 26 AWG finished with JR-type male/female servo connectors. Both the wire and the connectors are widely available. A crimping tool is strongly recommended - attaching JR connectors by hand is painful.

Can I connect the automation to Arduino?#

Yes. Our automation works with external I/O boards such as Arduino Uno. Useful specs if you're wiring your own setup:

• Servos: standard analog servos - PowerHD 1160A and 1800A
• Switch angle range: 58° - 100°
• Boom barrier angle range: 30° - 128°
• Optical sensor model: TCRT5000

Train detector - placement, light conditions, and parallel tracks#

The train detector works over a very short distance - around 2 cm. If you need to trigger an action on two parallel tracks, you can connect multiple detectors through a splitter cable and place one at each track. For best performance, please also keep in mind:

1. Strong ambient light can affect the detector’s operation. Direct sunlight is usually the most problematic and may cause unstable triggering or false detections.
2. Each detector includes a small adjustment potentiometer that allows sensitivity tuning if needed. Before making any adjustments, we strongly recommend remembering the factory/default position so it can be restored if necessary. In most cases, the default setting works perfectly and does not require adjustment.

Signal masts - what happens in switch mode?#

In boom barrier mode the LEDs blink alternately. In switch mode, one of the two lights is on; when the controller's state changes, the opposite light comes on (no blinking).

The lights at the boom barriers don't blink alternately - what should I do?#

After it is switched on, the controller starts in switch mode, in which one light stays on. To switch to boom barrier mode, hold both red buttons for 2 seconds - the status LED blinks to confirm. In boom barrier mode the lights blink alternately while the barriers are down. Both modes are described in the user manual (PDF).

Do you plan train signals with 3 or 4 LEDs (like real-world signals)?#

No. We don't plan to produce train signals with more LEDs.

Will there be a more detailed user guide?#

We plan to release a series of short videos explaining how each automation product works.

Can the boom barriers be set up for left-hand traffic?#

Yes. The barrier mechanism can be built mirrored, so the gate sits on the left side of the road as you face the tracks - the usual setup in Australia, the UK, Ireland, Japan and other left-hand-drive countries.

One thing to note: in the mirrored build the switches end up the other way round. In practice this isn't a problem, it just means the control side is reversed compared to the standard instruction.