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Layout accessory lighting for structures, streetlamps, beacons, and other applications has advanced rapidly in recent years with the widespread availability of inexpensive, reliable, low-voltage light-emitting diode (LED) lamps as well as integrated solutions such as Just Plug from Woodland Scenics. However, installing LEDs always has involved the challenge of selecting and adding the correct current-limiting resistor in the power circuit to prevent destroying the LED. Further, implementing special effects such as dimming, flashing, strobes, rotating beacons, simulated televisions and so forth typically has required hand-assembled circuits, or programming and deploying micro-controllers such as Arduino or Raspberry PI—as well as learning a script-type programming language. The Just Plug system provides limited special effects, but some modelers may want more. Accomplishing DCC control adds another layer of complexity.
Model Train Technology LLC of Orlando, Florida ( http://www.modeltraintechnology.com) has addressed all these issues in its new release of the easy-to-use 16-port DCC LED Scene Controller II. Shipping now, and available via online order directly from the company, the Scene Controller II eliminates the need to choose resistors, individually matches power and current to up to 64 LEDs (up to 4 per port), supports 100 special effects, any of which can be applied to any of the 16 ports, and provides easy DCC programming using any NMRA-compatible DCC command station.
My review sample consisted of the controller in a tough plastic housing with mounting plate and power supply; the housing has twin numeric LED displays to assist with programming and selector buttons for selecting various modes of operation and programming.
This arrangement permits programming any of the 16 ports using various combinations of button presses. However, several other versions are available that omit the displays and buttons, supporting just DCC programming. These are ideal for embedded applications where the controller is to be installed under the layout, in a diorama or in other cases where hands-on access isn’t important.
My review sample also had JST 2.5 mm 2-pin plugs for each of the 16 output ports. These are compatible with Just Plug lamps, wiring, and sockets, or with after-market JST 2.5 mm 2-pin sockets.
Bare boards with solder pads, pins or screw terminal connections are available for those who don’t use Just Plug lamps or don’t want to use JST sockets to connect their LEDs. I elected to purchase a pack of JST sockets from a US internet merchant, and I’ll be using these to connect existing and future lights on my layout to the controller by simply soldering the socket leads to hookup wire.
The controller can be powered by any 12-25-volt DC “wall wort” power supply. Model Train Technology offers one, or you can wire the controller to your existing accessory bus or your own power supply. Be sure to connect this input voltage to the correct JST socket on the controller for power input—not to one of the outputs. Powering Just Plug lamps from the controller requires at least a 19V supply. If you’re using 3V LEDs, a 12V supply is fine.
The controller also has an input socket for connection to your DCC bus. All programming is done via the main DCC output of your command stations, not using a programming track.
Resistors to your LEDs aren’t required. Instead, each of the 16 ports is set to output 3 volts DC by default. If you are using Just Plug lamps or your own LEDs that already have a resistor soldered to them, you can program any of the 16 ports for higher voltage at any useful level. The controller will sink up to 1 amp to a maximum of 64 LEDs. While there are 16 ports, the manufacturer offers a 4-LED splitter that allows you to branch each port to 4 LEDs, all of which would have the same effect after programming. For example, you could light one structure with 4 LEDs at the same brightness, or for a city scene, you could use one port to control interior lights of 4 buildings and use a second port for exterior lights on or around those buildings, with the ports at different brightness.
The controller’s easy program makes it a standout in its category. With my review sample, I was able to connect and apply effects to an LED in less than 10 minutes. The process is straightforward: connect an LED without a resistor to a particular port; power up the unit; activate programming mode with one keypress; select the particular port; select one of the 100 effects; apply the effect, and switch to operating mode. The process is repeated for as many ports as you have connected to LEDs and can be changed at any time. I was able to experiment with flashing, MARS light effects, strobes, and other effects quite rapidly. With a blue LED, the controller’s “TV Simulation” effect is quite convincing. I look forward to adding a simulated TV to the interior of one of my structures and watching how visitors react.
DCC programming also is easy but requires reading the user manual to understand the programming sequence for addressing a port and choosing an effect. The controller initially addresses as locomotive 3, like any NMRA-compatible DCC decoder. From there, addressing a port and setting an effect is a matter of choosing the correct CV, then programming that CV with the right value. Because there are 16 ports, many effects and other controller configurations that can be programmed, the controller responds to a large number of CVs. It uses CV 112 to 125 for basic parameter configuration, and CV 128 to 207 to set different effects for different ports. While this may seem complex, especially when reading the manual for the first time, the manufacturer also provides quick-reference charts that enable you to look at values in tables and find them rapidly. I programmed two randomly chosen ports with different effects using an MRC Prodigy Advance DCC system and had no issues.
All the documentation is clear, well-illustrated, and upbeat in tone—a pleasure to use with all the information you need. Pricing is $65 to $120 depending on whether you elect a bare board, various kinds of terminals, or keypad and housing.
I really enjoyed getting to know the 16-port DCC LED Scene Controller II and all the effects possible with it. Eliminating resistor selection and providing almost instant application of effects is a huge convenience and should help many modelers jump any hurdles that have kept them from adding LED lighting to their layouts. I look forward to plugging in hookups to all 16 ports and adding new effects to my layout that otherwise would have required microcontrollers and script language programming. The manufacturer also offers integrated LED passenger car interior lighting boards with controllers, LEDs in bulk, and various accessory items.
