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How To Fix Lighting Problems
Keith has a lighting question for readers:
I run a OO analogue system on my layout.I have 4 types of lights up:
1/ Tardis box
2/ Ice cream van
3/ Security light
4/ Building/street lights
Each of these are run separately but the building and street lights come on but after a short time they fade out and go off. If I leave them for a short while I can turn them back on but again will go off. Can any of your readers give me any advise to rectify this problem. All the power comes off a Hornby HM2000.
6 Responses to How To Fix Lighting Problems
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If they are LED lights, you usually need a resistor, since LED lights only use an average of 0.7 volts to come on. If you are feeding AC into them there break over reverse current flow may be exceeded, which can make them fade and go out as they heat up. So if they are LED, I would check for a resistor and if it is DC, and not AC. 30+ years digital electronics you learn a lot of things are not explained on packaging. Note 0.7 volts is the average turn on break over voltage. Some are higher.
I think the simplest solution is to obtain another power supply for your lights, It sounds as if you might have a thermal overload problem, whereby the supply heats up with too much load.
Your primary controller may provide an “accessory” supply, but the whole controller has a limited capability.
Try measuring the current for each set of lights, and work out what the load is for your itemized 1,2,3,4. If they are all in parallel, the you can simply add up the wattage or current draw, and see what supply you need to have available.
Many model railway enthusiasts have a separate “wall-wart” for each section, matched to the demand for that section. Look for such supplies in such places as the charity shops, run by the Salvation Army or Oxfam, where people drop-off surplus / unused, but still useful items.
Cheers,
Good Luck, Bernard
Bulbs can burn out, and recover – watch the lights in the street or at home – this is usually caused by a power failure or that the globe is about to blow completely. Cut the voltage to the globes.
LEDs on the other hand must be protected from the normal voltages put out by the AC side of the average controller by ensuring resisters are placed in the circuit between the power and the LED. Talk to your hobby shop or electronics parts store for specific advice.
I agree with Bernard. The problem you describe sounds like a power supply thermal cutout cutting out when it heats up, then coming back on when it cools down. indicating the power supply is too feeble for the load.
Basically, a power supply unit’s rated output current (marked on the specification plate) needs to be equal to, or greater than, the current taken by all the lights and devices taking power from it.
How many bulbs attached in series? DC or ACC? What voltage level? Do you have resisters built into the circuits? Sounds like you are describing a brown out or a short. Which can be caused by too many bulbs attached in a series or a short some where. So do some math and see how much power your string of lights require. Then you might look into obtaining a computer power supply that will put out 12v, 5v with adequate power output.
I agree with Frank, Benard, and Charles, If you are running conventional light bulb you may be overloading your power supply. It can pop your thermo protector (breaker in your power supply) When the breaker cools down it comes on again. LEDs is a good source for bulbs that use little power. Either that or separate some of your lights and put them on separate power supplies. But check it first as they said. I am working toward all LED’s as I go on my layout……. Newman