I picked up several used N scale Kato passenger cars several years ago. I recently unpacked them and put them on my track (DCC) and discovered that several of them had lights. I was not aware that they had lights added somewhere in the past. At first I thought this was great but as I run them in a consist, I see that they do not maintain a constant light. They all flicker a lot. Track is clean and wheels are clean.
I would assume these were originally built to opperate on a DC layout. Is the lighting set up different for DC vs DCC operation? Can I salvage these cars to run on DCC?
I don't have any strong urge to have lighted cars so if they will not run properly on DCC, I will probably disable the lights or sell the cars.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
PED I picked up several used N scale Kato passenger cars several years ago. I recently unpacked them and put them on my track (DCC) and discovered that several of them had lights. I was not aware that they had lights added somewhere in the past. At first I thought this was great but as I run them in a consist, I see that they do not maintain a constant light. They all flicker a lot. Track is clean and wheels are clean. I would assume these were originally built to opperate on a DC layout. Is the lighting set up different for DC vs DCC operation? Can I salvage these cars to run on DCC? I don't have any strong urge to have lighted cars so if they will not run properly on DCC, I will probably disable the lights or sell the cars.
Not an expert on Kato N scale cars or N scale, but my experience with lighted cars designed to run on DC is that they expect 12vdc as the maximum, and not all the time. DCC is bascially a square wave ac that tends to run at a higher voltage. It's possible you could burn out the bulbs.
Do you know if the lighting is light bulbs or LEDs? You may be able to install a simple circuit that would reduce voltage as well as stop flickering. A resistor(or two), adiode, and a capacitor may be all you need.
Gary
by flicker, i assume you mean on/off, not dim. If so, this is because of intermittent conductivity with the track due to dirty track, wheels, ...
one benefit of DCC is constant (AC) track voltage which mean lighted cars can be lit constantly. On DC, car lighting varies in intensity with track voltage.
besides cleaner track and wheels, flicker can be reduced by adding capacitor circuits to each car (like a keep-alive). I've tried wiring between cars.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Check to see if the lighting is the old incandescent bulbs or led's. Kato posted a warning years ago not to run the older lighting on DCC because the bulbs would get hot and melt the roofs of the passenger cars. They redesigned the light kits with led's in 2004 or so to solve the overheating problem. IIRC, there was also a sticky foil strip that could be applied to the inside of the roof that would help prevent roof damage.
I don't know if they are lamps or LEDs. But a full bridge rectifier + 220 uF cap will reduce the flicker. If it's LED, a resistor will be necessary as well.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
DigitalGriffin I don't know if they are lamps or LEDs. But a full bridge rectifier + 220 uF cap will reduce the flicker. If it's LED, a resistor will be necessary as well.
If it's DCC, a full bridge rectifier is unnecessary. A diode with resistors and a capacitor is all that's needed.