Has anyone ever modded the MRC walkaround throttles to add a backlight?
I really like my Wireless system, but if you run in the dark to simulate the night it would be way better with a backlight. Im thinking 2 simple 5v leds.
Anyone ever try this?
Assuming we are talking about the MRC Prodigy Advance DCC system, their latest wireless throttles come with backlit displays. While not an inexpensive modification of a throttle you already own, purchasing one of these newer throttles would solve your problem while maintaining the manufacturer's warranty. Another solution would be to purchase an MRC WiFi module as these will allow you to use as many as 8 smart devices as throttles. The WiFi modules are cheaper than a wireless throttle so you really get 8 throttles for less than the price of one MRC wireless throttle. When I was looking to expand my layout with more wireless throttles, MRC had just annouced their WiFi module. I purchased the WiFi module instead and have been quite pleased with this unit's operation.
One word of caution:
The MRC WiFi module is powered off of the throttle bus. If you rely on the command station breaker to protect your layout, a short on the layout will shut off the track AND throttle buses. Since a short shuts down the throttle bus, a short also shuts down the WiFI module meaning all of the smart devices in use will lose their connection to the WiFi module. This means that, once a short is cleared, every smart device throttle user will need to reconnect to the WiFi module and reacquire their train. The simplest fix is to not rely on the command station internal breaker and install a separate breaker(s) between the track and the command station. This way, a short will not trip the command station and so the WiFi module will remain powered up and in contact with all of the smart devices in use.
Hornblower
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EdtorockioI really like my Wireless system, but if you run in the dark to simulate the night it would be way better with a backlight. Im thinking 2 simple 5v leds.
Why not just add a little clip-on reading light over the throttle?
-Kevin
Living the dream.