Wiring 1.5V bulbs problem

[sarge]

Okay, so this is the first time I am trying to hard wire a decoder.
Wiring it in and controlling the motor functions was no problem at all. However, the light bulbs is another story.

I am using a NCE D13SR decoder with Mintronics 1.5V bulbs. NCE recomends (and I have) 1K ohm 1/4 wat resistors. I tried wiring with the resistors and blew 8 bulbs before I realized that even with the resistor the output voltage was approx 16V.

Where did I go wrong?

[sarge]

I don't know, I will have to check that tomorrow.

[sarge]

upon further reveiw.... track and output volts reads closer to 12v. I am using an analog multi meter. Interestingly, I also get reading on both ac and dc setting at the light outputs. I assume these are supposed to be DC only. Is the decoder smoked possibly?

[sarge]

Thanks Jay!! after reading your post I think I may have figured it out. Let you know in a bit

[CIOR]

LOL, I love model power bulbs. Dunno why, but those things will last forever.
I've still got engines with them in there that I installed back in 98' and they have ran many hours (we are talking over a couple hundred hours)

Never had one of them go Poof...

[sarge]

After reading Jay's post, I figured out what I did wrong. First, I tries to use one resistor for two bulbs. Second, the resistor was too big. Unfortunately, by the time I realized this, I had grown frustrated. Rather than stopping, taking a break, and getting away from the problem, I pushed on. I think I may have melted the accessory function tabs. At least the headlights still work. I also hit the rear handrails on my brand new D&RGW T-2 with the soldering iron, instantly turning them to mush.

But at least I am on the right track now

[diesel]

I actually called TCS about my hookup of 1.5 bulbs on a board replacement. I'm no electronics guy so I asked him questions and actually still have to call him back. BUT he did tell me that the board is very tough, unless you can see that you really melted the area of the board and have things touching that were not before that's not the problem. If this is a board ( you mentioned 'function tabs' ) those are usually 1.5 functions, you shouldn't need any resistors.

Dan

[sarge]

Stan, it got bad enough that my son was warning the rest of the family to stay away. He would stop my wife and wispher to her that I was in a very bad mood and not to be bothered unfourtunately, she did not listen

Dan, I will have to go back and look at it some time. If not, I will just put it in a steamer or B unit.