Depends on the decoder. Digitrax decoders before the Series 6 were horrible with LEDs. NCE decoders are pretty good, TCS decoders have a CV to set to different values depending on if you are using LEDs ir incandescent. It makes a huge difference.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
hon30critter Vincent: I admire your desire to recycle the bulbs but I would ask 'why bother?' I'm sure you have heard all the reasons for using LEDs so I won't lecture you on the subject. Dave
Vincent:
I admire your desire to recycle the bulbs but I would ask 'why bother?'
I'm sure you have heard all the reasons for using LEDs so I won't lecture you on the subject.
Dave
In my opinion, bulbs almost always look much better than LEDs for beacons. I tried an SMD I got (I think it was from you Dave) in an engine for a beacon and it looks okay. I tried a bulb in an engine with the same type of decoder and it looked much better.
I did try an SMD, and for some reason it blew out a couple minutes after install on decoder board in question.
But then it could also hinge on the decoder, as the LED beacons on my 2 Loksound units actually look really good. I haven't tried a soundtraxx with an LED beacon.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
rrinker I would use the unregulated output and your normal resistors.
I would use the unregulated output and your normal resistors.
I tried that already, it still came out really dim for some reason.
Bowser WAS using Tsunami sound in their locos, full boards, not special editions like Bachmann, but has since switched to Loksound. Dunno if their original decision to use Tsunami had anything to do with Soundtraxx producing the Bowser format board or not, they are quite popular locos, and have been even when many were originally made by Stewart.
Rich, Honestly I don't know the current rating of the bulb. It's whatever mini-bulb that Athearn uses that I'm trying to light. I pull the bulbs out of headlights of my Athearns and replace those with LEDS, then turn around and use the bulbs for beacons in other engines.
Mark, with the 120 ohm resistor; it was barely visible. I also found the "supposed" 14v output and the usual resistor I use for full power and it came out the same. Will 20 ohms make that much of a difference, or should I be okay wiring 2 120 ohm resistors to come out with a 60 ohm?
I'm going to guess that the Athearn mini-bulbs are probably 15 milliamps, but if that's wrong, I hope someone chimes in.
Mark R. The BW1000 is a Bowser replacement board and has onboard regulation for LEDs, not 1.5 volt bulbs .... http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/tsuBW1000.php If you want to use 1.5 volt bulbs on this output, you would need a 62 to 100 ohm resistor depending on the current rating of the bulb. If you don't know the current rating, try a 100 ohm resistor and see what it looks like. Mark.
The BW1000 is a Bowser replacement board and has onboard regulation for LEDs, not 1.5 volt bulbs ....
http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/tsuBW1000.php
If you want to use 1.5 volt bulbs on this output, you would need a 62 to 100 ohm resistor depending on the current rating of the bulb. If you don't know the current rating, try a 100 ohm resistor and see what it looks like.
Mark.
Yea, my bad. I forgot about that particular decoder. I will remove the info before someone thinks it is correct.
I now remember reading sometime ago. SoundTraxx has developed a Digital Sound Decoder designed "specifically" for recent production Bowser-Stewart HO diesels.
The SoundTraxx site says the voltage is 3.3 volts.
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.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Not needed.
Next smallest resistor is 100 ohms. Do you have any idea of the current rating of the bulb? It's kind of important.
Or - just use LEDs. pretty much better in every way.
Pretty much as title says, I found a page that said to use a 120 ohm resistor. However that ends up being far to dim to be visisble...
Does anyone have any ideas?