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Soundtraxx Econami headlight issue

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  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 19 posts
Soundtraxx Econami headlight issue
Posted by npsixtynine on Monday, February 8, 2016 12:56 AM

I just installed one of the new Econami 100 decoders in an early Life Like Proto SD45.

After some work everything functions correctly except I cannot get the headlights to work. I'm using LEDs with resistors installed. I tested them with a power pack and on  DCC track voltage and they work fine. When I hook them up to the white and blue decoder wires nothing happens. I checked the wires with a multimeter and there seems to be power there so not sure what I'm doing wrong.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, February 8, 2016 1:49 AM

Two questions:

- Do you have resistors wired in series with one of the LED leads? If you don't have resistors you will have fried the LEDs. 1000 ohms 1/4 watt is suitable.

- Have you tried reversing the leads to the LEDs?

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Jacksonville, FL
  • 913 posts
Posted by gatrhumpy on Monday, February 8, 2016 5:38 AM

If you tested them on DCC track voltage, you blew the LED, even with resistors. Track voltage is typically 12-16V "AC". So you either blew the LED ot blew the function wires. You'll mostl likely need another decoder to get the lights to work.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 409 posts
Posted by ba&prr on Monday, February 8, 2016 8:37 AM

LED's are polarity sensitive. Try switching the leads to the LED.  Joe 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, February 8, 2016 7:05 PM

npsixtynine

I just installed one of the new Econami 100 decoders in an early Life Like Proto SD45.

After some work everything functions correctly except I cannot get the headlights to work. I'm using LEDs with resistors installed. I tested them with a power pack and on  DCC track voltage and they work fine. When I hook them up to the white and blue decoder wires nothing happens. I checked the wires with a multimeter and there seems to be power there so not sure what I'm doing wrong.

 

 

Lack of some details. Making assumption you use a resistor when checking the LED's. An LED on DCC with resistor will work. My NCE Power Cab has a red LED and 1k resistor across the DCC output.

This sounds like you need to reverse the two wires.

This question pops up once in a while from those who have never used LED's.. Wrong polarity.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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