DCC and Ditch Lights

[CPPedler]

I have a problem regarding the wiring of ditch lights to Loco's fitted with DCC.
Whilst Miniatronic bulbs are very good the wire is only single strand and does not take kindly to too very much flexing. This is particullarly a problem when fitting lights to P2K loco's where a large weight occupys all the available space leaving little or no room to thread the wire between the lights and the decoder.
Has anyone had more success at this ??? PLS

[challenger3802]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PenLocoSuper

Whilst Miniatronic bulbs are very good the wire is only single strand and does not take kindly to too very much flexing

Try soldering a piece of multistrand wire to the bulbs' wire (7/0.2mm should be adequate for this), this will then allow more flexibility when you come to position the bulbs in the loco.

Ian

[CPPedler]

Thanks Ian,
I'll try that but can I get some sort of connector so that the ditch lights can be plugged in AFTER the body shell has been screwed to the chassis??? PLS

[rrinker]

A couple of companies make tiny connectors that you can use to make plug in connectiosn so you can easily remove the shell. Miniatronics is one, and if your LHS also sells RC planes, check out Deans. A 3-pin plug and socket is what you need, as one side of both bulbs will need to go to the blue decoder wire. If you want to also unplug the headlight, get a 4 pin connector.

--Randy

[CPPedler]

Hi,Randy
Thakyou for that info. Sorry for the delay in answering, been away for New Year. PLS