Block Detectors 101

[OBJack]

Thanks for your help Sumpter. (My bet is you were are a teacher)..It is very informative and I am following your post and still experimenting.
The system works with the I/R detectors.
I don't know how to monitor the voltage..
...The best way of testing the block detector is to hook it up to the system, and monitor the voltage, across the wires where they connect to the system, with empty track, and then with a loco. If there is no change? make sure the polarity is correct, and if that's OK, then put the IR in and check voltages with, and without light. If there is still no change, the problem is in the system, not the "sensors".
( I have a multimeter..) The way I do it, nothing changes.

I hook the Block detector leads in where the I/R leads went in to the system.

Maybe I should take a deep breath and a cold shower/... and then go and buy a complete new signaling system and start from scratch, so as to let you keep your hair.

I am still workin' on it, but can only get to fool around with it on some weekends at the moment, so things move rather slowly... Sorry.

Jack