I have a neat road sign that runs on those mini Christmas lamps of which I have dozens. However, the max voltage to the lamp is 5 volts then it blows out. Naturally the trains are running 15 to 20 volts and the accessory taps are beyond 5 volts as well. I am electrically challenged but am reasonably sure there is something I can wire between the track and the lamp to step down that current. How would I do this? Thanks in advance.
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Easiest way, get 5 more christmas lights and connect them in series with your other light. There are other ways but that is easiest.
Al
These are inexpensive and will do jobs like that...ac or dc to dc adjustable for $10 shipped.
A cheap transformer or wall-wart will do the trick.
What is wall wart? Never heard of that.
Radio Shack is getting around $16 or more for the wall warts these days. Good quality, but that's why I thought the ac/dc to dc supply was a pretty good deal. We already have the ac everywhere...just can hook one of these up and adjust it for any dc voltage. Good for the blinking signs and street lights too...although an amp and a half can get used up pretty fast with incandescent bulbs. Probably 6 to 12 bulbs depending.
How about 6.3V center tapped for $10? 6.3 VAC CT 10A Transformer
Easiest way, get 5 more christmas lights and connect them in series with your other light. There are other ways but that is easiest.
Since you have dozens of spares, I like this idea assuming you can hide the bulbs or illuminate something else. I'd drive it from one of the fixed transformer outputs.
The AC-DC module cjack suggests is the most flexible in terms of providing brightness adjustment but double check its dimensions to make sure you have a convenient place to put it.
Note that either method uses the same amount of power. The former method dissipates the unneeded voltage as heat and some light. The latter generates all heat.
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