Jump to content
 

Kestrel


thesteambuff
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have had a Lenz chip fitted to a Heljan Kestrel loco,unfortunately non of the lights work.i did not test on DC before the chip was fitted to see if the lights worked.

Any ideas what may be the problem?.

Can i use Bachmann or Hornby blanking plate to test on DC? 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had a Lenz chip fitted to a Heljan Kestrel loco,unfortunately non of the lights work.i did not test on DC before the chip was fitted to see if the lights worked.

Any ideas what may be the problem?.

Can i use Bachmann or Hornby blanking plate to test on DC?

 

The 8 pin blanking plate is quite generic so will be fine for a DC test

Link to post
Share on other sites

I had thought there was some instructions about light brightness to change if you fit a DCC chip to a Kestrel model ... something about reducing it otherwise they could pop

That is possible if you have instructions and CV settings to reduce brightness. However playing around with settings would take time and the wrong setting, however briefly tested could still cause them to pop. I do feel though that a manufacturer should fit resisters to ensure all voltage ranges that the lights are going to meet are protected.

 

It could be the DCC 8 pin chip is plugged in the wrong way around (easy to do on an 8-pin). Leading to something like the chip trying to send the current in the wrong direction of the diodes for the directional lights.

Edited by JSpencer
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Guys

 

I had a similar problem with a Heljin class 26 to discover that the lenz chip was designed to run LEDS and not builds so it mite be worth checking that

 

Thanks

Alan

That's very strange I have not heard of a decoder where it's not necessary to insert a suitable sized resistor between decoder and LED.

Norman

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Function outputs are nominally 12v so any bulb rated less than 12/15v or LED connected should have a resistor to suit, the few 00 models I have pre-fitted with lights (LEDs) already have resistors in the circuit, or if I have fitted lights I have provided the resistors.

Even on DC they should have resistors unless they are 12v bulbs.

 

Keith

Edited by melmerby
Link to post
Share on other sites

That's very strange I have not heard of a decoder where it's not necessary to insert a suitable sized resistor between decoder and LED.

Norman

Hi Norman

 

Sorry I should have made it clearer that the lenz chip (I bought recently) is set to run an LED witch I believe to be lower current than a builb witch I believe runs at a higher current.

 

Sorry for the confusion

 

Thanks

Alan

Edited by Thebigshot
Link to post
Share on other sites

Function outputs are nominally 12v so any bulb rated less than 12/15v or LED connected should have a resistor to suit, the few 00 models I have pre-fitted with lights (LEDs) already have resistors in the circuit, or if I have fitted lights I have provided the resistors.

Even on DC they should have resistors unless they are 12v bulbs.

 

Keith

Hi

 

I'm led to believe it's the resistor that is the issue I believe it's dropping the voltage so low that the builb is not bright enough but I'm hoping if the information is wrong then someone will correct me

 

Thanks

Alan

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have tried the blanking plate and tested on DC unfortunately the lights still do not work.

I had a set of lights on a class 23 which did not work, so I brought a spare at Howes. Maybe they will have some Kestral lighting units around.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a set of lights on a class 23 which did not work, so I brought a spare at Howes. Maybe they will have some Kestral lighting units around.

Thank you,i have checked the output to the lights which is 14volts so definitely the bulbs are all blown,what concerns me is how did they all blow.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Thank you,i have checked the output to the lights which is 14volts so definitely the bulbs are all blown,what concerns me is how did they all blow.

Do you know whether they are bulbs or LEDs?

 Also a bulb does not necessarily draw more current than a LED but may be 12/15v so would work straight from the function outputs without a resistor.

If they are LEDs and were original to the model they will have a resistor already in circuit.

 

Keith

 

Edit

If they are bulbs:

https://howesmodels.co.uk/product/Heljan-oo-bulb-with-lead-short-and-plug-connector/

https://howesmodels.co.uk/product/Heljan-oo-bulb-with-lead-long-and-plug-connector/

Edited by melmerby
Link to post
Share on other sites

yES 

 

Do you know whether they are bulbs or LEDs?

 Also a bulb does not necessarily draw more current than a LED but may be 12/15v so would work straight from the function outputs without a resistor.

If they are LEDs and were original to the model they will have a resistor already in circuit.

 

Keith

 

Edit

If they are bulbs:

https://howesmodels.co.uk/product/Heljan-oo-bulb-with-lead-short-and-plug-connector/

https://howesmodels.co.uk/product/Heljan-oo-bulb-with-lead-long-and-plug-connector/

Yes they are LEDs,yes there is a resistor.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...