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Post by montyvox on Sept 30, 2010 14:36:17 GMT -5
Good afternoon everyone-
I am just about finishing up my C30-7 which I put a Tsunami TSu-1000 sound decoder in it.
I am using the bulbs for the head lights, as well as ditch lights.
Two quick questions-
1. What size resistors should use for the headlight? 2. I am putting the wires for the ditch lights in with the headlight wires on the Atlas Board. I got a 9 pin to an 8 pin harness, and that's how it's going to work on mine.
Can I wire the ditch light wires to the headlight wire on the atlas board- will that work once I put the resistors on?
Sorry if it sounds confusing. It was confusing to type!
Thanks Matt
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Post by spud7378 on Sept 30, 2010 15:22:53 GMT -5
what voltage are your headlights? and what voltage are your ditch lights?
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Post by montyvox on Sept 30, 2010 15:38:51 GMT -5
The headlights are 3.5v I believe
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Post by montyvox on Sept 30, 2010 15:39:39 GMT -5
Sorry, they are 1.5 volts.
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Post by montyvox on Sept 30, 2010 15:45:22 GMT -5
Well, for starters - I think you're shortchanging yourself by utilizing that harness as the TSU-1000 decoders have four functions and you are only utilizing two. Hey Mark- I'm still a novice when it comes to electronics and Tsunami decoders. Can you explain the difference between 2 and 4 functions on the decoder? Does that mean that I can't do as much with 2 functions vs. 4? Many thanks- Matt
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Post by montyvox on Sept 30, 2010 15:54:38 GMT -5
Thanks Mark.
That makes sense now. I might get the AT-1000 next time which I think provides the 4 function capability.
Thanks for the info- good stuff.
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Post by sd45longhoodfoward on Sept 30, 2010 18:08:39 GMT -5
next check into TCS =train control systems decoders don't need resistors they are set to use 1.5v bulbs just makes a cleaner less complicated wiring = more space in the shell not to mention they are good decoders i use them exclusively the one i use is the A6X they have great features www.tcsdcc.com
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Post by montyvox on Oct 1, 2010 9:42:02 GMT -5
The bulbs are the factory bulbs on the engine, so they are the mini ones.
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Post by icghogger on Oct 1, 2010 11:02:07 GMT -5
I've got to get back to my work bench. Good idea, Uncle Jay, especially since my darn my slide rule just locked up, and now I got one helluva headache........
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kcs1967
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Post by kcs1967 on Oct 1, 2010 12:28:02 GMT -5
In all honesty, the mathematical equasions are good only to a point .... never really use them myself ! They are accurate only in a perfect world to exacting tolerances. Variations in decoder voltage outputs, variations in resistor tolerances and even variations in any given bulb's current handling capabilities can throw the mathematical equasions way off target. When "calculating" resistor values, I never use a calculator or pencil and paper .... rather I start with a 1000 ohm resistor - if it's too dim, I start lowering the value until I like the look of it and run with it ! When I have used the calculations, they always come out too bright ! Mark. So just like paint the value/color may be correct, but scaled down, lighter is better, that does make sense, but either way this thread is now book marked for me, so when the time comes, I can refer to all of these suggestions. Thanks to everyone on this thread, it has been very informative.
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kcs1967
Chairman
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Post by kcs1967 on Oct 1, 2010 13:00:30 GMT -5
I've got to get back to my work bench. Good idea, Uncle Jay, especially since my darn my slide rule just locked up, and now I got one helluva headache........ I totally agree, I Also had the "Pocket Ref" out and was looking throw "Ugly's Handbook" as well. I recall seeing someone had made a test strip of resistors mounted on a board just for checking intensities, I bought a Variety pack of resistors at the electronics store, yet something else on my to do list.
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Post by icghogger on Oct 1, 2010 13:11:10 GMT -5
I totally agree, I Also had the "Pocket Ref" out and was looking throw "Ugly's Handbook" as well. I recall seeing someone had made a test strip of resistors mounted on a board just for checking intensities, I bought a Variety pack of resistors at the electronics store, yet something else on my to do list. Yeah, long time ago I remember there was a gizmo called a "decade resistance box" that you could use to determine replacement values, or fine-tune circuit resistance.
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kcs1967
Chairman
SWLA-SETX PINE SCENTED
Posts: 1,726
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Post by kcs1967 on Oct 1, 2010 13:16:31 GMT -5
I should say I love math approach to most everything. calculations are always fun, almost as fun as finding what someone else cannot.
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Post by spud7378 on Oct 1, 2010 19:26:25 GMT -5
ok im going to end this totally, i spent 7 yrs in college taking electrical,, im an elect. and a power lineman and for calculating the total resistance for the bulb, mark is correct there is a 1.5 v voltage drop accross the lamp, BUT, to calculate the total resistance that the lamp needs, you need to calculate based on your true supply voltage in this case is 12-15v, so you need to take the total voltage of the light which is 1.5v devide that by the total amperage of the lamp (ie:15 mA or 30mA ) and that will give you the total resistance that the lamp , so for a 15mA lamp a 1K ohm resistor would be the correct size, BUT, as they both have stated that would be the max, you should drop by 10-20% to extend the life of the bulb,so i hate to take sides here but mark,and uncle jay you are both correct, and if you dont belive any of us heres the online calculator, all you have to do is put in the values!, hope this has helped!
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