TLC2A Model Railway Traffic Light Controller with Fading

About the Product

The BLOCKsignalling TLC2A is a model railway traffic light controller for common-anode LED traffic lights, providing automatic UK or Continental traffic light sequences with realistic fading between colours. It can control two opposing sets of traffic lights and includes built-in presets for quick and straightforward installation.

The TLC2A is supplied pre-programmed for the standard UK traffic light sequence, progressing through red, red and amber, green and amber before returning to red. It can also be easily changed to a Continental sequence where the red-and-amber phase is omitted. The duration of each phase can be adjusted to suit the layout.

For additional realism, the controller can smoothly fade the LEDs between colours, reproducing the gradual illumination and extinguishing of traditional filament traffic lights. The fading and brightening rates can be adjusted, or set to change almost instantaneously for a more modern LED traffic-light appearance.

Built-in current-limiting resistors simplify installation, so additional resistors are normally unnecessary. Existing resistors fitted to ready-made traffic lights can remain in place, although they may make the LEDs slightly dimmer.

Key Features

• Automatic model railway traffic light control.
• Supports standard UK and Continental traffic light sequences.
• Controls two opposing sets of traffic lights.
• Designed for common-anode (common-positive) LED traffic lights.
• Realistic fading between colours to simulate traditional filament lamps.
• Adjustable fading and brightening rates.
• Can also provide near-instant transitions for modern LED-style traffic lights.
• Individually adjustable red, red-and-amber, green and amber phase timings.
• Adjustable maximum brightness for red, amber and green LEDs.
• Built-in presets for quick setup.
• Built-in current-limiting resistors.
• No external LED resistors normally required.
• On-board LEDs indicate the status of the traffic light outputs.
• Requires a 12V DC power supply.
  

UK & Continental Traffic Light Sequences

The TLC2A supports both UK and Continental traffic light sequences. In UK mode, the sequence includes the familiar red → red and amber → green → amber → red operation. Continental mode omits the combined red-and-amber phase.

The duration of the individual phases can be programmed, allowing the sequence to be adjusted to suit the scale and requirements of the layout.

Realistic Traffic Light Fading

The TLC2A can smoothly fade between traffic light colours to reproduce the appearance of traditional filament traffic lights rather than switching instantly between LEDs. The dimming and brightening rates are adjustable and can also be made almost instantaneous if a modern LED-style appearance is preferred.

Traffic Light Wiring

The TLC2A provides separate red, amber and green outputs for two opposing sets of traffic lights. Multiple traffic lights can also be connected to each set, as illustrated in the manual's wiring diagram.

Traffic Light Compatibility

The TLC2A is specifically designed for common-anode (common-positive) LED traffic lights. The positive anodes of the LEDs are connected together at each traffic light.

Built-in resistors mean additional current-limiting resistors are normally unnecessary. If resistors are already fitted to ready-made traffic lights, they can remain in place, although the LEDs may illuminate slightly dimmer.

The outputs are intended for LEDs and cannot provide sufficient power to operate filament bulbs or relays.

Electrical Requirements

• Supply voltage: 12V DC
• Current consumption: Approximately 50mA (0.05A)
• Recommended power supply: 0.1A to 0.5A
• Traffic light type: Common-anode (common-positive) LED
• Outputs: Two opposing sets of red, amber and green traffic lights
• External LED resistors: Normally not required

The TLC2A should be powered from a suitable 12V DC plug-top power supply. Do not connect it to the auxiliary terminals of a train controller, as these outputs may not provide sufficiently smooth or stable power and could result in unpredictable operation or damage.

Documentation & Support

For full installation instructions, wiring diagrams, programming options and troubleshooting guidance, please refer to the product instruction manual:

Product Instruction Manual