I have added some blocks to my layout with a 1156 for each block and all seems to work fine. I have wired in a single pole switch and it cuts off the power to shorted block and the other engines start back up. I have set my Zephyr for the 1/2 second delay. When I short the rail the 1156 flashes very bright the1st time then continues to flash much dimmer and the Zephyer display cycles flashing each digit on the loco number one followed by the next. Is this normal??? Thanks, maybe some day I'll be the one answering questions.
Ed
How many amps can the Zephyr put out? The 1156 bulbs may be too big for your Zephyr. You may have to change them to maybe an 1141. Marcus Ammann has done some research using a selection of lamps. The 1156 works good for a five amp system but the Zephyr and the Power Cab current output is smaller. The lamp will light and act as a wire.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/Auto%20lamps.htm
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn2/DCC.htm
The right hand column of the second link has loads of short management information.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
You're tripping the Zephyr's overload, the displayyou are seeing is probably 0's overlaying the selected loco address. 1156 bulbs aren't suitable for the 2.5 amp Zephyr. If you want to use light bulbs, nce has the CP6 with uses a smaller bulb to protect 6 sections. The bulbs it comes with limit each section to 1 amp, they also have a different set of bulbs that limit things to 1.75 amps - either whould be fine with the Zephyr.
The standard bulbs are the type used for instrument lighting and other small lights on the interior of a car, you can get them at an auto parts store just liekt he 1156 and DIY, they are 6411 or 211-2. The look like fuses - and in fact I think they fit in a fuse holder if you want to be able to repalce them without cutting and soldering wires (the NCE product has them all socketed and has screw terminals to attach your bus wires).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ed,
The Digitrax Zephyr has a 2.5 amp output. Your 1156 lamps should start heating up and glow at around 2 amps. I suspect you are not going to get his to work very well. The 1156 starts heating up and the Zephyr is just about max'ed out - then the internal breaker in the Zephyr cuts off the power. The internal 1/2 sec is still faster than that 1156 can react - hence the cycling.
Even most power district devices(like the PM42) low end limit is usually still higher than the Zephyr's total output......
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
1156 is definitely too big for the Zephyr. They even trip my PM42's when set at 3 amps. I 've found 194 side marker light bulbs work OK.
Martin Myers
Thanks all, its my long weekend so it will be next week before I can work on this.
I could not wait to try the smaller bulbs so I used part my 8 to 9 hrs of home time to try a 211-2r bulb, red in color, and a fuse holder from Radio Shack, modified by taking the metal clips out of the plastic holder, and it worked like a charm. Does anyone know what the amp rating is on the 211-2s. The girl at the auto parts store could only tell me a 211-2 bulb is a 211-2 bulb weather its colored or not. I don't think she understood why I wanted to know their amp rating compared to the other bulbs suggested or what the answer was.
d91Does anyone know what the amp rating is on the 211-2s
According to the information I found, .97 Amps.
Light Bulb Specs
Edit: Seems something was wrong with the link above...think it's fixed now.
Thanks, this does not work so well while working.This is the first nice Saturday since before Christmas and the public is out & about.
d91Thanks, this does not work so well while working.
Glad to help!
If you have other questions about using the light bulbs for short management you could also post over at the MRH forums, (Google Free Model Railroad Magazine) where Joe Fugate will likely answer you directly. Joe also has a lot of information about this on his Siskiyou Line Forum linked below.
1156 Bulbs for Short Protection