I see the proper advice is already arrives in duplicate. 
The voltage you want for proper lighting with the 12V strips will likely be in the 9-11 VDC range. I'd start around 9V and then tweak the pot for the brightness desired.
As always, "you da man" - Thanks for getting back to me John...
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I see the proper advice is already arrives in duplicate.
When I was a kid I used to have the urge to competitively raise my hand first in class…not so true anymore, but still fun once in a while 
I’m enjoying your layout updates John!
Funny thing Chuck, I was known as the Question Man in school. I carried that on to my career. It would really surprise someone when a question came up and instead of trying to BS them with an answer to make it look like I actually knew the topic, I'd say "I don't know, but I can find out". More than once they wouldn't have any idea how to react to that. 
BCianci, there’s usually a lot of adjustment in that blue pot, so just keep turning and it will start to go down. I run some of my cars around 8vdc. During night running, they look very nice, but when all the house lights are on don’t show up as much as 9-10vdc. YMMV
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Funny thing Chuck, I was known as the Question Man in school.
Great answer! I’m gonna copy that…
@TedW posted:BCianci, there’s usually a lot of adjustment in that blue pot, so just keep turning and it will start to go down. I run some of my cars around 8vdc. During night running, they look very nice, but when all the house lights are on don’t show up as much as 9-10vdc. YMMV
Really good observation. I have been using those pot for 60 years (yikes) and always wonder where I am on the pot. Keep turning until nothing changes, then go the other way to get what you want.
@cjack posted:Really good obversation. I have been using those pot for 60 years (yikes) and always wonder where I am on the pot. Keep turning until nothing changes, then go the other way to get what you want.
Thanks 🙏!
@TedW posted:BCianci, there’s usually a lot of adjustment in that blue pot, so just keep turning and it will start to go down. I run some of my cars around 8vdc. During night running, they look very nice, but when all the house lights are on don’t show up as much as 9-10vdc. YMMV
I’ve got about 1 foot of LED strips in each passenger car how long are the LED strips you are using at 9 V?
@BCianci posted:I’ve got about 1 foot of LED strips in each passenger car how long are the LED strips you are using at 9 V?
I have mostly 15” cars so as described by @Rod Stewart earlier, around 14” strips. My few 18” cars are around 16” strips. Whatever fit in the “groups of three” led cut lines.
Timely topic, I just did the first car of my Liberty Liner LED Upgrade.
MTH Liberty Liner LED Lighting Upgrade
Don't know what happened, but it's fixed now.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I see the proper advice is already arrives in duplicate.
Okay, so: my circuit board was adjusted to 22 volts... which apparently is enough to generate a lot of heat in both by CB and LED strip. Anyhow, I took John's advice and lowered to about 9 volts... I'm a very happy man... Thank you.
I'll bet the LED's were pretty excited to see 22 volts! At 9V, the power supply is loafing, and the LED's are drawing a small fraction of what they were. You probably were over-driving the LED's by a factor or at least 4x their maximum current! The wouldn't have lasted long if you kept that up!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I'll bet the LED's were pretty excited to see 22 volts!
Would the circuit board be "happier" if adjusted the output up to 12v ? (yes, I'm seriously asking this stupid question).
Nope, the board doesn't care at all about voltage, the whole point of adjustable voltage is so you can set the intensity to your liking. If you like it at 9V, leave it there.
Came out nice, thanks for the help!
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Nice to see things were not toasted!
