jack

Hi, Jack from Star, Idaho.  Awhile back I submitted a blog for non.flickering lights.  Here is the solution that worked great!  I used a device called a "constant voltage source."  The item is a LM334Z three leg device that is tiny and will fit into any car or engine easily.  I purchase it from "Electronic goldmine" for a cost of $.79 each.  I found this can work from 12-20 volts and control lights or a sound only decoder.   I have not tried it yet with sound and motor control however, it should work. 

Any way here is a web address that shows how it is hooked up.  If you use it for a decoder you do not need a resister, just connect two of the three leads together and no more break-up of sound from momentary power loss.  Go to http://www.pollensoftware.com/railroad/circuit.html  hit the link on the left "wiring diagram" and you will find a simple to follow diagram illustrated for simplicity.  If the link does not work just type in the address.  Once you are on the site you can follow various links that are usefull for. The device needs the proper resistor if you are using it with an LED.  I have hooked this up in all my dummy engines for the sound only decoders and I no longer have a break in the sound when the electrical pick-ups loose contact with track voltage.  The same is true with car lighting.  The circuit is simple, inexpensive, an easy to make with very little soldering skill.  Other sites such as "Train Aids" has a wide variety of products at really cheap prices!  check it out and I think you will be please with results.  No more expensive car lighting systems...

 

Glad to share a good thing with fellow railroaders

Jack Strong

Jack From Star, Idaho

Reply 0
Geared

Interesting

Interesting solution and quite simple. Thanks for posting, Jack.

Roy

Roy

Geared is the way to tight radii and steep grades. Ghost River Rwy. "The Wet Coast Loggers"

 

Reply 0
Bindlestiff

A question or two.

How would the device be wired to drive passenger car lighting from a DCC layout? The voltage I believe is 14-16 volts AC.  I have some tubie things  that Walthers used to sell (they may be called "florettes") that I would like to use up someday.  Is the device robust enough to handle incandescent bulbs?

Thanks for your input.

Aran Sendan

Reply 0
peter-f

several ideas here, Aran!

See this comment... and refer to the thread it's in for more ideas.

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/4451#comment-35683

The link above shows a simple 'single LED' circuit - you'd need to replace it with your Walthers devices.  The Left end of the circuit shows a 'bridge rectifier'... a set of 4 diodes - that polarize an AC input  (converting DCC track voltage to DC).   The resistor may need to be a different value instead of the 470 ohms... that depends on the lighting device(s) you string into this circuit.  The capacitor is used to soften pulsing (and flickering). Although the DCC pulse rate ought to make flickering hard to notice, the presence of rapid cycle pulsing  may still be rough on an LED.

best of luck!

Peter

- regards

Peter

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