I have a k line scale up caboose with smoke unit and it gets extremely bright at legacy 18 volt track voltage. Can I just put in the 1 amp diode on the hot lead of the ac from the center roller and operate it on 9 volt dc. In other words will the 1 amp or a 1/2 amp diode handle the current. The caboose has stream lighting and does not appear to want to come apart so I would put the diode underneath on each center hot lead. I need a small diode.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Yep, the diode will cut the power in half to the bulbs, they'll thank you for it. The 1A diode will be plenty.
You only need one diode in the feed to the stream lighting, don't worry about how it's wired.
What does the term "stream lighting" mean?
Stream lighting is K-Line's trade name for a strip of bulbs on a strip that is supposed to provide even lighting. It was used in many K-line passenger cars.
Ah. Thanks, John.
ironlake2 you can also use a 18V or 24V bulb to reduce the brightness and heat of the bulb.
Not really easy with the K-Line stream lighting Bruce, it's an integrated solution. Here's a picture of a passenger car installation, the caboose will be similar.
Yep, the diode will cut the power in half to the bulbs, they'll thank you for it. The 1A diode will be plenty.
You only need one diode in the feed to the stream lighting, don't worry about how it's wired.
This would be the cheapest route to take. There are other types of bulbs one can use also. Don't fall for the most used and least understood practice of switching out bulbs. Sometimes the new bulb will run even hotter than the one removed. The wiser choice of bulbs can run upwards of $2.00+ ea. in most cases.
Not really easy with the K-Line stream lighting Bruce, it's an integrated solution. Here's a picture of a passenger car installation, the caboose will be similar.
Yep, that strip is the "K-Line StreamLighting" and the long things are bulbs. They actually glue them to the strip, and new cars come with a couple of replacements you can replace burned out bulbs with.
Well, personally I think LED's are the way to go. But, a diode would cut the power in half to the bulbs and probably solve the immediate issue.
Yep, the diode will cut the power in half to the bulbs, they'll thank you for it. The 1A diode will be plenty.
You only need one diode in the feed to the stream lighting, don't worry about how it's wired.
John
will the 1 amp diode handle the current draw for the smoke unit as well? I had put a 4 amp diode inside mine, not knowing the current draw.
Bob
I'd probably go with one of the commonly available 3A diodes. I doubt the lights and smoke are drawing an amp, but then I don't like to run stuff right at the maximums either.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
