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Post by cnwidecabnut on Jun 6, 2010 19:07:52 GMT -5
I am just amazed at the opportunities that the micro and nano LED's present. As someone who loves ditch lights, I just marvel at what one is able to do, and what they can do it in. I have replaced all incandescent bulbs with LEDs in my motive power, and added ditch lights to all that require them - but it didn't come without a lot of hesitation. Having been out of the hobby for a great many years, and having very limited knowledge of electronics, I was very intimidated by the thought of having to learn how to do things from scratch. After learning a little here and there, I decided to jump in an just do it - and I am very glad I did. The effects are phenomenal. Now I know that there are modelers who do not like ditch lights, or cannot be bothered putting them in, or are just afraid to try, but if it interests you in the slightest, give it a try - all it takes is a bit of patience, something that we modelers should have an abundance of . . . Here are a couple of pictures that show just how small these things are: the micros measure 0.030" X 0.060" and the nanos are an astonishing 0.020" X 0.040". For those interested in scale models, example being the Railflyer Model Prototypes lampshade ditchlights, the only thing that will fit is the nano LEDs Lastly is a picture of my SD60F and how I routed the ditch light wires inside the shell to a small PC board to make it easier to wire to the decoder. I think that once you've tried them, you will get the bug and never go back I get my warm white nano's from Railflyer Model prototypes - they have the best price anywhere and come either with or without leads. So go ahead and light up your life (and your locomotives)
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sd50f
Superintendent
Posts: 189
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Post by sd50f on Jun 6, 2010 22:24:43 GMT -5
I have some of the 0603 leds I got from eBay. Wow, are they small! I was going to use them for ditch lights, but now I think I'm going to have to get some 0402 leds (the nano type) for my ditch lights. Soldering them looks to be a challenge...I'll need to get an optivisor or something in order to see what I'm doing.
The big bonus is that they don't burn out like micro bulbs do. I hate the idea of having to change out a bulb years from now.
timothy dineen
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Post by icghogger on Jun 7, 2010 9:21:15 GMT -5
Another source for LED's is Ngineering.com. They have all sizes and colors and all the goodies needed for wiring them up. Prices seem competitive and shipping speed is excellent.
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Post by cnwidecabnut on Jun 7, 2010 11:36:23 GMT -5
Richmond Controls LED's are great - I've ordered them before, but they don't offer the nano LED sizes (0.020 X 0.040). They only have the micros (0.030 X 0.060)
Railflyer offers the nano LED's for cheaper than Ngineering
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Post by Santa Fe Sammy on Jun 7, 2010 13:49:56 GMT -5
I've been thinking of giving these a try in the very near future since I've got several units I'd like to add deck mounted ditch lights to. I've seen elsewhere that Ulrich models also sells the prewired LED's.
Just a quick question, what is the rating of the dropping resistor to use with these?
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Post by cnwidecabnut on Jun 7, 2010 15:55:00 GMT -5
I use a 1/8 watt 2.2k ohm resistor for these coming off a 12V decoder. Some decoders such as the TCS A6X have pads specifically for LEDs but I find that they are too bright coming from these outputs. I guess they are more for the Ø3 or Ø5 mm ones.
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Post by Santa Fe Sammy on Jun 8, 2010 15:29:24 GMT -5
Thanks Evan. I'll have to give this a shot.
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Post by m a y o r 79 on Jun 8, 2010 21:28:12 GMT -5
Maybe a dumb question but....is the PC board that the ditch lights are wired to home-made or did you buy it?
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Post by cnwidecabnut on Jun 9, 2010 5:31:37 GMT -5
Since that was my first attempt using the nano LEDs and deck mounted ditch lights, I went through several scenarios in my head trying to determine which was the best way to handle the fine magnet wire leads and the necessary resistors. I scrounged an old pc board that I thought would work, chopped it to size and modified the circuits with a dremel. Then I soldered the resistors to that and mounted it to the inside of the shell. It was then a simple matter of attaching the standard 26 or 28 ga hookup wire from the decoder to the pc board. Since then, I have actually soldered the resistor directly to the pads on the decoder, and soldered the magnet wire leads to that. I'm sure that there are other methods as well, of which I would love to hear.
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Post by cnwidecabnut on Jul 8, 2010 5:38:31 GMT -5
NANO LEDs for a great price . . . If you've ever wanted to try these out, Railflyer has a great sale on these 0402 sunny white nano LEDs - 10 pack (unwired) for only $11.99 (July 8 and 9 only). I'm getting some and wiring up my units step and walkway lights just for fun. railflyermodelprototypes.myshopify.com/
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Post by kirkifer on Aug 5, 2010 11:08:50 GMT -5
So what gauge magnet wire do most people use with these LEDs?
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Post by kirkifer on Aug 5, 2010 11:10:01 GMT -5
Also, is there a certain soldering tip or soldering wattage that you guys use?
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Post by icghogger on Aug 5, 2010 11:37:12 GMT -5
So what gauge magnet wire do most people use with these LEDs? I use #38 magnet wire.
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Post by icghogger on Aug 5, 2010 11:37:43 GMT -5
Also, is there a certain soldering tip or soldering wattage that you guys use? I use a 12-watt iron with a chisel tip.
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Post by kirkifer on Aug 12, 2010 11:04:58 GMT -5
Wow, this is so exciting... Everything I need to install ditch lights "easily" has already arrived.
I bought 200 quantity of 0603 sunny white LEDs off of EvilBay for $39... These are the ones from Hong Kong. I figured at $0.20 for each LED I could afford to experiment a little, right? I am 40 and was able to solder both the anode and cathode with a cheapo solder iron using #38 magnet wire. I did not use any kind of magnifier. Make no mistake, these are very small and an optivisor and/or one of those octoarms with the magnifying glass will make this much more fun.
Like someone else commented, a pair of hemostats or something else that locks on to the diode is absolutely necessary to ensure a pain free experience.
The best news is that the very first one I tried lit up the very first time !!!! It is extremely bright at just a couple of volts. WOW !!! It looks like a ditch light !!!!
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sd50f
Superintendent
Posts: 189
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Post by sd50f on Aug 12, 2010 12:26:05 GMT -5
I nearly lit my entire workshop with one of those Hong Kong 0603 leds. They are bright!
I'll definitely be getting more of them...as well as the 0402 size that I need more of.
timothy dineen
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Post by kirkifer on Aug 14, 2010 14:32:58 GMT -5
By the way guys...
I got some red 0603 LEDs from HK. Man, I do not know if they sent me the right ones or not, but they more closely resemble nano size... Wow, they are much smaller than the white LEDs. My point is you may want to order slightly larger ones for red light markers.
Has anyone used these in signals? I am curious about the green and amber ones...
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Post by tpwillie on Aug 16, 2010 11:46:08 GMT -5
I've never been able to find sunny white LEDs of any type on EBay. Can you provide a dealer of auction ID number or something to help me zoom in? Thanks, Lou
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Post by tpwillie on Aug 16, 2010 15:53:17 GMT -5
Thanks, Mark. I'll give them a try.
Lou
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Post by railfanalex on Aug 17, 2010 14:42:57 GMT -5
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