I am trying to replace the bayonet filament bulbs with led bayonets. There are 4 lights in a group of two. The only way I can get the leds to light up is if one of the two lights in the group is a filament bulb. The filament bulb does not light up but the Led does. The Leds are supposed to work off AC or DC current. Can anyone explain what is going on.
Marty
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Marty,
Need a few more details. The name of the manufacturer and product number for your LED bayonets would help.
Mike
As you said, these lights are wired in two pairs and they are in series. Each bulb gets 6-7 volts assuming you are running at 12-14v accessory. Check your led specifications.
Take a look at this older thread:
Problem Lights on #395 Floodlight Tower | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)
Note: they state that the bulbs are wired in series. The LED bayonet package is made to work at a specified voltage (range) at a lower current flow than the filament bulbs require. The filament bulb is allowing enough current to operate the LED, but the LED package does not allow the amount necessary to light the incandescent bulb.
Having two LEDs in series is probably dropping the voltage too low, where with two incandescent bulbs, the output would just be cut in half (on purpose, with lower voltage bulbs).
Dave
You may have to rewire the tower, so that the LEDs are in parallel (each one gets the supply voltage).
Dave
will try rewiring in parallel tomorrow and post what is happening. Thanks for the feedback
Marty
Thanks for all of the help. Wiring the lights in parallel provided the solution.
Marty
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