I'm looking for a website or mail order outfit to buy panel indicator lights. On my DCC system, I have some switches that are hard to see and thus I cannot tell what position the switch is in. I want to have indicator lights on the fascia (1/4" plywood) to show switch position--Green for straight and Red for turnout. I'm using Atlas #6 switches, Atlas Under-the-Table Switch Machines and Atlas Snap Relays. I know how to wire this but cannot find the right kind of lights. I've been told that since 12 Volts is relatively low voltage, I can use 12 VAC or 12 VDC incandescent lighting but not LED's. What are my options and what are the innovative ways to accomplish this? Thanks, Michael D. Grand Junction, CO
Michael, firstly I'd like to welcome you to trainboard I'm sure you will enjoy it here like I do. As for your question I feel LED's are the way to go . I have used them on my control panel. I use 12 volt dc for my LEDs tehn use a resistor to limit the voltage. I'll have to check what resistance to use. Here is a photo of my control panel on my layout. The row of LED's in the centre of the panel are my point indicators. You can visit my site by clcicking on my link ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000 [This message has been edited by Colonel (edited 10 January 2001).]
Ok I also checked my circuits and I added 390 ohm resitor the teh LEd to enable operation from 12 volts. I used a bi-polar LED (shows green and red). If you require a circuit let me know and I can send you one. ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
I'd Iike to emphatically support the recommendation for using LED's. They use very little power, make lots of light and almost never wear out. You could not only have indicator LED's on your control panel, but you could install dwarf or tower indicators right at the track level from the same relay contacts. Make sure you use the current limiting resistor (390 ohm is a good value to start with) and pay attention to the "direcction" of current (the "arrow" in a diode indicates direction of positive electricity flow, or the banded end goes to the negative).
Thanks for your assistance. I will look into using LED's. I do have 12V DC terminals on a powerpack but I don't know what is the positive (+), and what is the negative (-) terminals. It sounds like this is important. Where is a good place to buy LED's and do they come in different sizes/colors. Also, do they come in a holder and have a good appearance to them. I don't want to cut a hold through my plywood (1/2") and have this "light" sticking out. I want it to look nice. Thanks, Michael
Michael, LED's can be found a number of places. For retail stores look for a Radio Shack or something similar. For mail order/catalog places, DigiKey, and Newark come to mind. Most will offer quite a selection of LED's. Some have bezels around them with threads to be put into/onto panels. As for figuring out the polarity, go to any hardware store (even Radio Shack) and get yourself a multimeter. The simple ones are fairly inexpensive and will allow you to measure voltage, resistance, and current. Hope this helps. Shaummy
