loksound 5 and headlights

[edwardsutorik]

Loksound is a great product. The instructions are not.


So I'll ask here: I'm installing a Loksound 5 Direct. I need to hook up the lighting. In THIS case, it's 1.5V bulbs. It's my impression that I leave the "soldering bridges" alone.

For LED's, it's my impression that I also leave them alone, PLUS I add the typical resistors.

For 12V bulbs, I DO solder across the bridges.


Do I have that right?


And a following question: My impression is that, if I want to dim the bulbs, I have to get into some pretty high CV's, and should probably use the Lokprogrammer.


Right?


Thanks,



Ed

[wsor]

For a Direct, they are set up to use LEDs out of the box. No additional resistors needed.

For 12 volt bulbs, solder across the bridges.

For 1.5 volt bulbs, I'm not sure, but you'll have to add resistors any way you go.

I would highly suggest switching to LEDs while it's apart. I have 3 Genesis FP7s that I have converted to Loksound 5 and LEDs.

I have a Lokprogrammer, so it's super easy to set the dimming level. The dimming CVs are in the 262-446 range, so a NCE system would have problems setting them.

[Gino Damen]

Hi,

The LED,s are powered using a current source. You can't drive lights with them in LED mode.

Just select the 12V bulb option and add resistors.

Mine advise (like wsor) is to add LED's. Those bulbs will burnout.

Regarding those CV's the software can tell you which CV's are changed. You need to manually copy them using your other tools.

If you are thinking about more Loksounds (or engines with Loksound factory installed) get a programmer. Yes it costs a bit more than a decoder but once you have one programming (and updating the firmware) is a breeze. Also the fact that you can change or upgrade the sound file is a very nice option.