railwayop,
Try typing that again. No can read.
Rich
Randy, the lamps are Incandescents, not LEDs. Model Power does not in the instruction sheet that the lamps can be powered either way, AC or DC. I tested the wiring arrangement on a 9 volt battery.
Rich
Yeah, I see that now. But Hamltnblue only indicated a diode for LEDs, not incandescents. You pointed out that a diode would work for either type of lamp, so advantage rrinker.
Rich
And it’s nice that after a 404 error and a refresh of the page to prove my reply was not there, it was anyway, hours later, hence the double post.
Yes, since they are incadescent bulbs the signals would work on AC or DC, however the trick to use a diode as the blocking factor to accomplish the OP’s purpose will only work with a DC power supply. Approzimately half the AC would get through regardless of the slide switch position, making both lights light up together regardless of the switch position. Only one would be dimmer than the other. With a DC power supply, it works perfectly, as your testing with a battery showed.
–Randy
Very interesting !
Thanks, Randy
Looking forward to hearing from the OP.
Rich
With an AC supply a single diode will still light an incandescent bulb unless the voltage is too low. Half the wave still makes it through.
railwayop,
The suspense is killing us.
Three posts and no message.
Is your computer using IE9? There are Compatibility issues with the forums and IE9.
Let us know if that is the problem.
Rich
Just enable compatibility mode, problem solved.
–Randy
railwayop,
If you are using Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), at the top of the page, click on Tools, then click Compatibility View.
Rich
Poor Guy still hasn’t figured it out
Well he has the wiring solution in hand, but he has other priorities in his life other than lurking on the forum. What’s up with that? LOL
Rich
Hi everyone!
Well, here I try again…this is the umteenth time - write a reply, select tags, check email, hit post and it shows up empty or I get a message telling me there is an error…try again - I feel like an endless loop - SO SORRY for the empty messages/replies - I even sent a message to Trains Inquiry to ask what the heck is happening! Didn’t know about that compatiblity View so I will try that too!
Anyway, what I have been trying to ask is I high tailed it to the store - the guy in the electronic store told me that a 1 amp diode was “too powerful” then he walked off and I walked out - I was trying online at some electronic stores to see if could find anything less than 1 amp, even Walthers, and nothing - from the insert with the signal incad bulbs that 12-16 volts ac or dc and 0.030 A
Is what I was trying and am trying to desperately figure out now is: will a 1 amp diode work with the 12-16V and 0.030A for these incad bulbs???
THNAKS for you patience and help
railwayop,
Good to hear from you. Apparently, the Compatability feature of IE was your problem. Do you, in fact, have IE9?
Yes, the 1A diode will work just fine. The guy at the electronics store must be an idiot.
If you have a Radio Shack store near you, Radio Shack carries a variety of 1 amp diodes, any of which will work. Try the item number 1N4001, 1N4003, or 1N4004. All three are 1 amp diodes. They cost $1.19 each.
Rich
That was probably at Radio Shack, for the guy to be that much of an idiot. The amp rating on a diode is the maximum it can handle, so a 1 amp diode is not ‘too powerful’ - there’s no such thing. The 1N4001 would be perfect, 1 amp current, 50 volts maximum reverse voltage, plenty to handle the 12-14 volts feeding the signal.
–Randy
LOL
I thought the same thing.
I never ask those guys for advice. I just buy what I need and run.
Rich
railwayop,
Send me a PM with your mailing address and I will stick a diode in an envelope and mail it to you.
Rich
Hi:
Thanks so much for the offer - I went back to the Source aka Radio Shack and got the 1 amp diodes so THANK YOU so much for that really kind offer - very much appreciated!
And yes, it was an idiot at the store and next time I won’t bother I’ll ask here first! (was actually trying as noted earlier but couldnt get any message/reply to show up - am using XP with IE8 and with the Comp View suggestion I’ll try that when get on the laptop as that’s where I was getting the no show messages and will check that off) - thanks for that tip wasn’t aware of it either
Anyway, back to the signal - I soldered the diode on the red and green leads as per Rich’s great schematic and nearly had a major convulsion when they stayed red/green then remembered that DC was to be used … now I am the idiot!!! When I pushed the slider I stopped in the center off position and everything went dark!!! Talk about anxiety plus then realized I didnt shove the slider far enough AND IT WORKED WONDERFULLY INCREDIBLY PERFECTLY!!! Zow what a happy signal camper I am!!!
AGAIN THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH THIS ISSUE!!! Am going to go diode nuts now and fix a few others I have that havent really enjoyed and will put some pixs up when I get that done
THANKS TO EVERYONE!!! Everyone’s help has been SUPER and so much appreciated
(now I got to call the dealership as the car engine light wont go out and guess that is the next thing to deal with!!! if it isnt one thing its ten)