I’ve been reading at the Digitrax site and it seems the more I read, the less I know.
IF I understand what they say, you can use 1.5 volt low current bulbs with no resistors required on the FRONT and REAR outputs. However, if you use low voltage (current) bulbs for the other functions on the decoder, resistors WOULD be required.
Is this correct? I guess first of all, am I correct in thinking that I can hook Athearn 1.5 headlight bulbs directly? Or am I missing something?
Second question, has anyone tried the Soundbug? I read about it here and there, but can’t find many USER opinions. Maybe even further than that, just some comments about Digitrax sound overall. I have four locos now, three are Soundtraxx (one DSX and 2 LC series)and one QSI. The DSX sounds good, but is a bit of a programming pain with the seperate motor and function decoder. The LC series sounds good too, but the motor control isn’t that great.
If Soundtraxx ever does come out with diesel Tsunami, or QSI Quantum Revolution really does show up in dealers soon, I probably won’t care to look any further.
Well I know for a fact that the DH165L0 and the DH165K1A are built like you described, the rest of the series I’m not sure about. I’m still waiting to hear a Soundbug before I go purchase one, I hear they sound great but I want to hear one in person first before I layout the cash for one.
JUst bought two DH 165LO c/w soundbug today and should have them back on Wednesday so I’ll let you know. I’m having them programmed with RDC sounds so they will go into my Dominion Atlantic Dayliners.
If you use the 1.5 volt leads to the board, then you need to change how the bulbs are wired in the unit. Athearn likes to use their bulbs in parallel and they wire them (++)(–) with (++) going to one side of the board lead and (–) going to the other. The problem is, if you wire this as is to the board, you will wind up with very dim headlights. The fix is to wire (+) to the lead, (-) to the other lead and connect (±) together; effectively wireing them in series rather then parallel.
Yes it does. I was thinking of using a DH165 in a Athearn SD40T-2 (SP). There are 4 bulbs in front and 4 in back. I worry about series circuits, if one goes out, they all go out. I might be better off to just switch to LEDs and be done with it.
Thanks for the responses on the Soundbug too. I’m anxiously waiting to hear what you think after hearing it. Where were you able to find someone to program it for you?