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Electronic idiot needs wiring tips asap

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  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: El Dorado Springs, MO
  • 1,519 posts
Electronic idiot needs wiring tips asap
Posted by n2mopac on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 4:32 PM
I know I am an electronic idiot and I need some help with this one. I am trying to add lighting to my N-scale structures. I want to use small 1.5V bulbs, but I want to power all of them from the accessory output on my powerpack which has an output of 18V AC. How do I step down the voltage so I don't immediately blow these delicate bulbs? HELP!!!
Thanks,
Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 4:36 PM
Put a resister in the line. The people at radioshack or another good electronic store should be able to give you one with the right ohm's. I don't know off the top of my head.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 6:21 PM
Ron if you connect the bulbs in series you can drop the voltage without a resistor. If you have twelve structures, just connect twelve bulbs in series and light each structure. The problem with this is that when one bulb goes out, the whole string will go out and you will have to hunt the bulb out. Why twelve? ... divide eighteen volts by twelve and you get one-and-a-half, the rating of the bulb. As a matter of fact, using eighteen bulbs will make them dimmer and they will last longer.

Good Luck - Ed

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