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LED Ditch Lights Problem!

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • 22 posts
LED Ditch Lights Problem!
Posted by Thunder Wolf on Saturday, November 5, 2011 7:47 PM

Can someone help me!  I have a Athearn 9-44CW HO scale Locomotive with a Digitrax SDH164DH decoder and I have a Athaern Genesis SD70Mac in HO scale with a Digitrax DH163D decoder.  I buted some Ngineering Nano Super White LEDs and I want to use them for the ditch lights, to make them alternate.  But when I used them I couldn't get them so that one stays on and the other one goes off when I press F2, Instead one dimes a bit and it does not turn off.  so does anyone know how to fix this problem?  ( Leds website http://www.ngineering.com/lightng.htm)

 

Thanks!!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, November 6, 2011 12:51 PM

 Did you wire each LED to a different function output? Did you program the decoder per the instructions? See here: http://kb.digitrax.com/index.php?a=149

 I assume the kit comes with resistors - each LED needs a resistor or it will instantly blow out from overcurrent. If this still does not work - maybe the LEDs are backwards, LED polarity matters, if they don't light one way, reverse them and see.

                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Monday, November 7, 2011 10:11 AM

I doubt the problem is in the LEDs.  Consider:

1. Does each LED have it's own resistor.    Make sure each resistor is the same and the LEDs are the same.

2. Is each LED wired properly with Anode to positive/common DCC output and the cathode to the correct independent function output.

3. You normally have to program the ditch light functions to work with F2(horn for sound decoders) as you want them to work.    This includes blink rate/holdover time, type of ditch light, etc. 

4. I believe those particular decoders may have two particular function outputs that are pre-programmed for ditch lights of some type, but I"m not certain.

Richard

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, November 7, 2011 12:21 PM

 They aren't pre-programmed for ditch lights, but the CV settings listed in the article I linked will create alternately flashing ditch lights that flash when F2 is pressed and keep flashing for a couple of seconds after you let go.

                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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