Does a printed thing like this exist? I am at the stage of starting to SOLDER in decoders into 26 perfect running engines. Other than isolate the motor from the frame anything else.
resistor size for lights, 1/4 watt or 1/2 watt? will be using Micro Mark DCC friendly grain-o-rice 12v .030a for ALL lights in all engines.
Sound is a thought with ? brand as the choice. Of the 2 sound I have I like thw QSI better than the Genesis unit. I heard som eothers but the UNKNOW about putting them in is a slow down.
Decoder brand is Digitrax unless some one has another brand to try. I have (1) NCE that was a plug in and is very nice. The MRC in the Genesis is a pain and the BLI is another story altogether. Still have a fit with thme on the program track.
take Care and thank you for the help in the past.
George P.
“running trains SOMETIMES”[:D]
If you’re using 12v lights you might not need resistors, but I’d be careful. I’ve done that and they put out a lot of heat. One of my locomotives got a little dimple in the shell from it, so now I use either Miniatronics 1.5v bulbs or golden white LEDs. For the 1.5v bulbs I usually use 750 ohm, 1/4 watt resistors. For the LEDs 560 ohm, 1/4 watt seems to work well. The locomotive in my signature has the Miniatronics bulbs.
I really like the Lenz gold for non-sound decoders (haven’t tried the new silver yet). Really excellent motor control.
I’ll second the 12v bulbs getting hot. They need to be mounted in heat sinks made of brass tubing.
George;
See: http://www.dcctrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
To reinforce the comments above, a 12V 30mA (0.030A) bulb generates 16 X as much heat as a 1.5V 15mA bulb or LED.
Resistors: R = V / I
where R = resistor value in ohms
V = voltage drop desired in the resistor
I = the current rating of the load
Resistors continued:P = I x I x R
where I and R are as above
P = power dissipated by the resistor in Watts.
The resistor you select should have a higher value than what you calculate. If you use a too low a value, it will EXPLODE, which will destroy the inside of your model, or worse. Instead of using too low a power rate resistor, just put a cherry bomb inside your locomotive, saving the time and expense.
Sound: Soundtraxx Tsunami and ESU LokSound 3.5 are on par with QSI®.
You should check and see if there are board replacement decoders for your applications. They are very easy to install, and soldering is generally optional.
Thanks all, can I just put a resistor on the bulb to back down on the heat? Lower volts, Less heat.
And less brightness. Dropping the voltage far enough to reduce the heat far enough will eliminate the light. Light bulbs have non linear light output with voltage, for example on a 12V bulb, going from 10V to 12V will more than double the light output, and at six volts, you may not even see any light.
The DUMMY has heard! I got a decoder with each of the strater sets from Digitrax so I will play with those They are DH142 good for1.5 amps.
the brass tube is a good idea, i can mount the light back and let it shine thru the tube. Paint the tube Black and maybe it will work.
Too soon you will be an expert on decoder installs and lamps. Good advise on the LED/Lamp selection. Good luck on the conversions.
Will