Can any one tell me how to get a Radio Shack Blinking LED to work using DCC track power? I have tried to get it to blink using just DCC voltage and I have tried Diodes and a Full wave Bridge to switch the voltage to DC, but can not get it to work. It will work when used with a Decoder. Any help will be appreciated.
Kiss
Have you tried a capacitor across the DC output to make it a smooth DC. Also maybe the current limiting resistor is too high a value to permit the LED to 'fire'.
What voltage are you using? These LED's draw more current than most LED's that we use in our hobby. If the supply voltage is above 2 or 3 volts, especially if you are use 12vdc, I would try a 470 ohm resistor. Start with a 1K then down to 750 before trying the 470.
I have not tried these LED's but this is some of the problems one can encounter with normal LED's.
Does the LED light at all? If it lights, but doesn't blink the input voltage it too low. What size resistor did you use with it? If it doesn't light at all, you might have fried it.
Check the package for the LED's voltage rating. If I remember correctly, the flashing LEDs have a higher input voltage (something like 3.5 or 4 volts) then regular LEDs (2 to 3 volts).
Nick
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