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Turning Off LED Coach Lights When Train is Sitting at a Siding or Station – How?
Russell posted this question:
“I figured how to instal an LED strip light in a passenger coach and power it from the rails on my DCC layout without using a decoder, but I can’t figure how to turn the lights off without taking the coach off the rails or using an isolated track section. I thought this would be a handy detail when the coaches are stationed at a platform or on a siding waiting to be put into use, but am not sure how to achieve this. Have you done this? How?”
6 Responses to Turning Off LED Coach Lights When Train is Sitting at a Siding or Station – How?
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Put a magnetic switch attached to the inside of the car’s roof. Then use a magnet to turn the lights on and off. Small magnetic switches are available online.
In reality, the lights would still be on while placed at the station awaiting passengers. For the storage siding, I would block control that section with an on-off toggle. More costly, would be an inexpensive 4 function decoder in each car with all having the same address.
I’d be interested in your approach to light the car from the DCC rails. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
DMK says:
Docsays has the answer! In my train staging area, I block control track power with a toggle (on-off switch) for 6 side tracks and do the same for the 3 side tracks in front of my Union
Station. If you know how, you can install a LED to indicate power on or off.
Just wanted to say thanks for the question. Thinking about your problem leads to a far more realistic operation of these lights. I’m going to use esp32 with wifi and control all with a computer. Individual lights on sleeper car windows.Still a work in progress but will be less than $10 a car.
1) Electrically: Isolate the siding track with a simple switch. (As already mentioned.)
2) Magnetically: a normally closed reed switch underneath the car, activated by a small magnet between or below the rails in the siding.
3) Manually: a very small slide switch can be fitted discreetly underneath the car body.
4) Remotely: Small DCC accessory decoders with just a few on/off functions are available at moderate prices.
Then you can separate and turn off the light in the men’s room when vacant (really prototypical !)