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WS Plug-n-Play question

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  • Member since
    February 2017
  • 282 posts
WS Plug-n-Play question
Posted by NYBW-John on Friday, February 24, 2017 12:43 PM

Does anyone know if the voltage put out by the WS Plug-n-Play system is compatible with the Miller Engineering animated signs. The one I currently have on my layout came with a battery case. I'm always forgetting to turn the thing off and even though I use rechargeable batteries it's a pain to have to keep recharging them after I run them down. These signs aren't cheap and I'd hate to fry the electronics by putting too much juice in them.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, February 24, 2017 2:18 PM

 I doubt it. The Milelr signs run on 4.5V DC. The power supply for the Just Plug system is 16V AC, but obviously that can't be what the system feeds to the LEDs. But the signs are also listed as drawing 95ma. If the outputs of the Just Plug distribution systems limit the current to safe levels for an LED< it would not be over 20ma. 

 Miller has two different power supplies, one that can handle 3 signs, and one that can handle 10 signs. Just get something like that and run a wire bus to each sign. They also have power converter modules if you alreadyhave a higher voltage circuit availabel to tap off, like if you already have 12 volts running around the layout to light up buildings. 

                          --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
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,342 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, February 24, 2017 3:46 PM

I have a 12 VDC bus running around my layout for structure lights.  I use a resistor (220 ohms, as I recall, but don't quote me) to step that voltage down for each of my Miller signs.  No batteries, no converter modules.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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