Layout LED lighting question

@stan2004 posted:

  Here's what the modules I received look like.  Note the "1843" marking on the right image of the circuit board.  Curiously, if you look at the online photos of some of the online listings, this marking is nowhere to be found.

Stan,  the modules I received do not have the 1843 marking either but they act exactly like the one in your video.

I don't really have a stash of parts.  A hundred 3904 transistors and 1k resistors. Fifty 1.1amp 30v poly switches.  Probably more than I will ever use but who knows.  Have enjoyed this process so far.  Sharing your parts is a very generous offer but I don’t mind adding to “my stash”  as I did order 20 of these modules.  If we get them to work great. If not, as you suggested,  up on eBay.

@fastman posted:

I noticed you had a de-solder braid on your workbench. I like to use a ear syringe bulb thingy as a solder sucker, it gets into a tighter space. Hope this helps.

Fast man,

I like this idea.  Will have to try it.

Given your existing parts stash, above is what I deem to be the closest-exit. 

The external components are two (2) 2N3904 transistors which you have...and one (1) 47uF 16V capacitor.  These capacitors should be 5-cent parts but of course that's not the way the world works for the DIY hobbyist!  Note that an external resistor is NOT needed.

I found a capacitor assortment on both Amazon and eBay which apparently ships from within US for about $5 so about 5 cents per capacitor.  They appear to be the same assortment.

I tried to figure a method to modify the module itself but gets fairly tricky with tiny surface-mount parts.

I realize the external modifications sort of demotes the low-cost module concept.  And perhaps there is a true Delay-ON module out there for $1 that works out-of-the-box so to speak.  Note that the same external modification will work for 5V or 12V DC power ... of course you must attach an LED strip of the corresponding voltage!

This is great.  The caps are on order. Should see them early next week.

I spent a lot of time looking for a cost effective delay on time module.  The closest I came to a solution was the delay on modules used for cars.  Problem was to change the delay required changing a cap.  Never could find a chart of caps and time delays.  With the solution you have come up with it will still be less than $1.50 each and changing the timing is a breeze with the dip switches.

So for now it is back to watching the mail box.  

I received the caps this week and was anxious to get one hooked up.  I had already put together a little wiring harness to plug into the timer module, power supply and the LEDs. I had planned to solder the cap to the module. I was ready and all I needed was the cap.

Everything worked as expected.  No flash, on after 10 seconds.  Wahoo. Hooked up a second one. Set it for 20 seconds.  Another wahoo!  

I then started to think about how to simplify and eliminate as much wire as possible.  Here is the final configuration I settled on.

One lead on each transistor was crimped directly into the connector. The leads that needed to connected together were folded to one side and soldered together.    The last two leads were folded in the other direction and a black wire added to connect to the LEDs.  Much simpler and more compact. If I was to order more modules I think I would get the ones without the connector and solder directly to the board.  That way it would lay flat.

Stan, I greatly appreciate you assistance in helping me with both your time and knowledge.  This is not something I would have ever been able to figure out myself.

I started this quest looking for a method of varying the on time of lights in my buildings.  I didn’t want to buy modules that I would need to learn to program.  Didn’t want to spend $10+ for each building. And I had hoped to find an out of the box solution.  While this isn’t an out of the box solution the journey to get here was a good one.  I enjoyed it. Learned a lot and am pleased with the final solution.  Changing the delay by dip switch is great.  Hopefully this weekend I will get the time to start putting these together.  

Very tidy assembly! 

I like the compact size of this module which ought to help with installation options.  Many/most timer delay modules use relays which are great if you need to control Amps of current...but bulky/oversized for O-gauge LED-lit accessories or rolling stock.