This page explains how to set-up your boom barrier motors in nControl.

Start by installing the hardware:

• Connect both boom barrier motors to the Y-split cable. Check the color coding of the wires to make sure the motors are connected correctly.
• Connect the Y-split cable to a servo motor port of your controller; in this example we'll use channel 1. You can use a quad switch controller (2.01.001) or a starter controller (2.01.004).
• Connect the controller with the USB cable to a powered USB hub. The use of a powered USB hub is needed to be able to provide the power required to move both boom barrier motors at the same time. Make sure your USB hub is connected to both your computer and the power supply.
• Do not put any barriers on the motors. You don't know whether your motors are in the 'open' or 'closed' state, so you don't know how to put the barriers.

If you have never used a particular controller, nControl will not know it and you won't be able to use it in the boom barrier tile configuration. You can register the controller by connecting to it. To do so, click on the button in the toolbar and connect to the controller.

In nControl, you will refer to a particular controller with its Alias. By default, the serial number is used as alias. You can customize the alias by double clicking on the alias in the table, this will turn the alias field editable. Type the name you want to use to refer to this particular controller, in this example we will use Barrier_Controller as alias.

Creating a model of your train track layout. If you're not sure how to do that in nControl, this video should get you started.

Boom barriers are controller with boom barrier tiles. To create a boom barrier tile:

• Select the track segment where you want to put the boom barriers. You select the segment by clicking on it with your mouse; the selected segment will turn blue.
• Go to Configuration Mode and select Boom Barrier in the tile library.

• Specify the controller to which the barrier motors are connected: select Barrier_Controller in the Controller drop down list.
• Make sure Channel corresponds with the channel on the controller you connected the Y-split cable to; in this example we're using channel 1.
• Click the OK button to create the boom barrier tile.

Now you're ready to test the boom barrier motors:

• Go to Operational Mode.
• Click the boom barrier tile; this should actuate the motors.
• Both the icons on the tile and track layout show the state of the boom barrier motors. Now you can add the barriers to the motors; make sure you put them in the direction (vertical or horizontal) that corresponds with the state (open or closed) shown in nControl.

You are all set now! You can open and close your boom barriers.