|
|
Post by riogrande on Feb 20, 2014 9:43:55 GMT -8
I have a Genesis bay window caboose I bought - the non-lighted version. I am told that those actually have the lights and pick-ups same as the lighted version, but no decoder. Has anyone added a decoder to contol and illuminate the light that is in those unlit versions? If so, what is the cheapest option to add a decoder?
|
|
|
|
Post by mlehman on Feb 20, 2014 11:18:23 GMT -8
Jim, Since it's LED-lit, if those are present already, you don't need a decoder if you're OK with the lighting being always on. A bridge rectifier and resistor are all that are needed. You can add a capacitor to eliminate flicker. Under $5 worth of parts. These installs are in two of my Walther passenger cars, which also come with the pickups already installed, making for an easy mod.   |
|
|
|
Post by Mark R. on Feb 20, 2014 12:22:37 GMT -8
"My" cheapest option was to use old cheap decoders that I've removed from engines like the Bachmann decoder. Poor motor control, so they were useless to use in any of my engines, so I just put a 100 ohm resistor across the motor leads (for programming) and just use the light function using the address set for the caboose.
TCS makes a function-only decoder that would work just as well - I just couldn't justify the price to just turn the lights on / off. However, with the TCS decoder, you could have separate control of up to four different functions depending on how your caboose is equipped.
Mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Feb 20, 2014 13:36:44 GMT -8
Jim,
I've got two of those Walthers D&RGW 52-seat Pullman Standard chair cars - I'll have to keep that in mind for them too.
As for the Genesis bay window cabooses, AFAIK, they are already wired - have pickups and LED's. Apparently the lighted version have Soundtrax dual mode decoders so they will work on both DCC an DC mode, but thats spensive.
The "always on" method might be worth considering, esp for cheap. Do is your layout DCC or DC powered? I guess if it is DCC, as long as the system is on, the lights are lighted. Do the LEDS love you good long time?
Marks suggestion of surplus decoders is a good one too. Right now I don't have any but thats something to keep in mind as a great option.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldmuley on Feb 20, 2014 17:41:57 GMT -8
If your just looking for lights, I'd second the bridge rectifier route. The absolute cheapest decoder I've ever seen was about $15 for one of the Digitrax DH123 decoders which would probably work as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by mlehman on Feb 20, 2014 22:17:33 GMT -8
Jim, I've got two of those Walthers D&RGW 52-seat Pullman Standard chair cars - I'll have to keep that in mind for them too. As for the Genesis bay window cabooses, AFAIK, they are already wired - have pickups and LED's. Apparently the lighted version have Soundtrax dual mode decoders so they will work on both DCC an DC mode, but thats spensive. The "always on" method might be worth considering, esp for cheap. Do is your layout DCC or DC powered? I guess if it is DCC, as long as the system is on, the lights are lighted. Do the LEDS love you good long time? SNIP Yes, I'm DCC, so things are always on and that's why I use LEDs. If it was bulbs, always on wouldn't work, especially with those Athearn bulbs that go out if you sneeze near them. Plus no heat worries with LEDs. AFAIK, I have experienced no loss of LEDs due to age. One thing that helps a lot with that is I always run them with lots of resistance. This extends their life even further. I'm sure they're not forever, but it's a good long time. BTW, here's a pic of the 52-seat coach with the lights on at 33,000 ohms and two of the 3-LED units you saw in the previous pics.  |
|
