I have a Lionel 450 signal bridge that I removed the Lionel two light heads and replaced with 3 light NJ International dwarf heads. They have a colored lense. I removed the bulbs from the heads and installed LEDs, they seem very bright, especially the green. These LEDs all have a clear body with the inside making it red of green or yellow.
I drive the LEDs off an Atlas signal board at about 12 volts. The question is how to dim the LEDs? Can I just can spray the LED with a Dulcoat?
Thanks, Dan
Replies sorted oldest to newest
When you installed them, did you use an external resistors for each LED?
To dim them, you need to lower the current running through them, by increasing the series resistance. They have a limited range of brightness, generally, and you can't really expect to get a full range of brightnesses as you would when using incandescents.
Well, better ask this, does the resistor have to go on the anode (+) side? Dan
The resistor can go anywhere in the circuit as long as it is in series.
Diesel Dan,
I think the answer you're seeking would be a, "Yes". Let's keep it simple, have a nice night.
He asked "The question is how to dim the LEDs?"
I **AM** trying to keep it simple. It is simpler and more elegant to do it the electronic way than to go around dabbing paint on the front of lamps.
Others may want to learn how to do it the right way, so that's why I began the discussion.
LED's can get a very wide range of brightness, they'll run on one MA or less and be very dim. I routinely tune the resistance for the brightness desired, it's very easy to do, just use a different resistor.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
