Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!

background buildings model trains

LED Light Strips

Alex asks:

“I am putting in carriage lights in my DC layout and have purchased LED light strips but what size capacitors is required to stop flickering while the car runs?”

One Response to LED Light Strips

  • Frank B says:

    As you don’t mention your scale, I assume you are working HO or OO. 
     
     Unless it is built into the LED module already, you will need to take the track power through a rectifier bridge first (because track polarity is changed when reversing). These are very tiny and very cheap, for example: aliexpress.com/item/32914475454.html (50 for about £2). 
     
     Then fit a capacitor across the rectifier’s output terminals to the LED strip, I use 100 microFarad tantalum capacitors, which are very small for their capacity. 
     
     (If you are buying an LED module from a model manufacturer, possibly the rectifier and capacitor may be already built in.)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Add a photo or image related to your comment (JPEG only)

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION

scale model building stores
scale model building yard freight office
low relief yard railways
scale model building tall background

Download Your Free Catalog

wild west town model

Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers

scale model building house

Model Train Help Ebook

Model Railroading Blog Archive

Reader Poll

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.