I am currently working on two Bachmann Dash 8’s and Walther Dash 8. I have the Ditch lights by Details west #299 and am having issues with what size bulbs to get. I know I need 1.5v by miniatronics I believe is what I am after but what kind of resistor? I am using DCC on these. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.
With a 1.5V LED I use a 1k ohm resistor. I assume its the same for bulbs but I cant be sure on that.
I dont use bulbs anymore, I have recently been doing small lights with fiber optics running to an LED inside the loco. I dont know if this would work for your aplication but its worth looking into.
I usually use a 750 ohm resistor for the Miniatronics 1.5v blubs. It seems to work pretty well. The ditch lights in the engine in my sig are done that way.
I like these little bulbs a lot. I have some LED equipped locomotives, too, but to me the light quality of the bulbs looks more like a real locomotive headlight. Flashing effects generally work better with bulbs, too, from what I’ve seen.
thanks for the information. I am planning on geting the Miniatronics 1.5 and picking up the resistors at Radio Shack on my home from Walthers if I make it tonight. Hopefully have the holes drilled for installing the Ditch lights and wire up the DCC.
I have been using 470 Ohm resistors for years with DC, however, I think with DCC the 750 ohm recomendation is probably safer and the bulbs will last longer With DCC the voltage available is around 14 volts. If it’s not bright enough try a 580 ohm.
If you’re installing ditch lites on the walkway, Details West has 1.5v bulbs with bare wire tails that are easier to hide. Once they’re in position I coat the wires with some Kristal Kleer to insulate them.