Z-Stuff DZ-1010 Crossing Gate & Signal Questions.

I agree with dennym57. I use their infrared detectors and work great. But farther down I use the isolated trackage for their signals. Both have worked flawlessly on this and last layout.

Only voltage. I used a bunch of resistors to bring voltage down from 18Volts to the required voltage of Z products. Check the voltage of your signals requirements, don't exceed it.

You do not need an isolated track for the signals. An isolated track works were the wheels make the contact across to the isolated section and this isolated section is wired to the signal to activate it. When last wheel crosses, its a time delay that will then shut down the signal.
With the infrared detectors set across from your roadway, and no need to have isolated section in your trackage, the detector (infrared) detect when an object like your train or testing your hand moves across the detector and closes the circuit to activate the signal.

Now the way I have my system set up with infrared and isolated tracks is that a roadway crosses a double track, a mainline and a siding. The mainline I have infrared detectors set up across the roadway each way to the signals to detect trains coming or going. Now for the siding, I just used isolated track pieces on both sides of the roadway crossover. The wire's are sent through resistors to lower the voltage. I did the same thing to the infrared detectors, using track power which go through the same set of resistors to lower voltage to recommended acceptance of the Z items.

Just remember on the Z items, watch your voltage, especially when using isolated tracks and powering the infrared detectors. A friend uses a dedicated transformer for all his Z products and resistors for isolated tracks powering signals.

I use them on isolated rail. When I purchased them from Z Stuff my one and biggest question was I wanted to be able to know if a train was in a tunnel. I was told yes. NOT ENTIRELY TRUE!!! I have them wired as specified by them running on voltage that they said. If a train goes past the first signal it turns red. Past the second it turns red and the 1st is suppose to go yellow. Upon crossing the third signal it goes red the 2nd goes yellow and the first goes green. It works but the timers will also turn the signals and defeat the complete purpose. When asking for help from Z Stuff- answer was oh. I went to York and Purposely sought him out and discussed this again in detail. Again answer was oh. After purchasing 42 of these signals and getting oh I would not buy them again! And the real kicker - NEVER WORKED on letting me know if a train was in the tunnel if poser is turned off and back on again. EXPENSIVE WASTE in my book. Got me once but not a second time I assure you.