Lights

[georgeT]

 Hi Guys, l wonder if anyone can help me with a problem, l have hard wired a Lima loco Class 60 and it works fine but is there anyway l can add lights using the Yellow - Blue - white leads from the chip ? any help / diagram would be appreciated, Thanks..

[F-UnitMad]

Those are the correct leads to use, certainly.

For simple headlights:

The Blue is the 'common' for both lights. White lead for one end's lights (usually designated 'front' or 'forward', on the basis of American single-cab locos) & Yellow lead for the other end. Think in terms of A & B cabs for UK diesels.

The white and yellow leads are usually directional as standard if the chip you've used conforms to NMRA standards. So function button F0 controls both of them. It's just worth testing on installation which light comes on with each direction setting, & install them in the body accordingly.

If you use LEDs they will need a resistor each, wired to the long leg (anode) which is also wired to the blue wire.

I don't use bulbs myself but you may well need resistors for those too.

That's just for simple headlights; were there no instructions or wiring diagram info with the chip you used?

[georgeT]

hanks very much for the help F-unit will have a play...

[Ron Ron Ron]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fy_MCPGJT10/hqdefault.jpg

 

 

Express Models lighting kit for the Lima Class 60

 

http://www.expressmodels.co.uk/acatalog/Lima_Class_60_Lights_with_white_headlights_.html

 

 

 

I found this web site for the conversion of the Hornby Class 60 to full operation of the lights.

 

http://s374444733.websitehome.co.uk/class-60/index.htm

 

 

A question.

Will the use of resistors of different ratings, allow you to recreate the two different levels of brightness for headlights and running lights (as in set up and fixed for either day or night running)?

 

 

 

.

[pauliebanger]

This is an updated version of the Hornby Class 60 conversion from the same site.

 

http://s374444733.websitehome.co.uk/class-60zimo-mod1/index.htm

 

And current discussion of what constitutes 'Full Operation' of Class 60 lights here;

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102752-when-would-loco-cab-and-engine-room-lights-be-in-use/?p=2007991

 

 

George,

 

If your decoder has only white, yellow and blue wires spare and no solder pads to add more, then it is a two function decoder (which you probably know) and that will enable you to control 'front lights' in either direction as outlined in earlier posts. If you wish to have tail lights also, you wil need to wire the reds at the No 2 end to the same circuit as the white lamps at the No 1 end, and the reds at No1 end to the same wires as the whites at No 2 end.

 

Be aware, though, that the red lights should not be illuminated when hauling a train. 

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul

[pauliebanger]

 

 

A question.

Will the use of resistors of different ratings, allow you to recreate the two different levels of brightness for headlights and running lights (as in set up and fixed for either day or night running)?

 

 

 

.

 

If the blue, common positive is connected to each of the lamps, and the high intensity lamp is isolated from the marker lamps, then adding different value resistors to the 'return' wiring to the decoder will produce different brightness. Use something around 1k Ohms for the bright lamp to provide over-current protection but minimal dimming, and something much higher to dim the markers significantly.

 

Painting the marker LEDs with black watercolour paint is another way to approach the same problem.

 

PWM duty cycle dimming is also possible, but in that case the lamps will need to be on separate Function Outputs.

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul