Sunset GGD Pass. cars

Ted,

It would also be very easy to install a function only decoder if you're running DCC and allow you to adjust the brightness, turn them on/off, etc...  A couple examples would be

TCS FL2 or FL4

http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=45

Digitrax TL1 or TF4

http://www.digitrax.com/produc...nction-decoders/tl1/

Doing so will add about $17 bucks to each car, but give you the constant lighting plus some added flexibility and capability.

Ted

I just upgraded a GGD 48 Broadway Limited observation car to eliminate flicker.  While the car was apart I spliced 2 GGD lighting strip LED segments to the factory 4 LED board to better light in the lounge area. The anti flicker solution was provided John Sethian.  It was easy to do and very inexpensive - he gave me the capacitor and resistor!!  It's great to have smart friends.  John has installed his mod in several GGD cars and rather than steal his thunder lets wait a short while for him to post to the thread as he may have other tips to add. 

Using DCC decoders to control car lighting is an interesting proposition for those who want to turn off the lights without touching the cars (GGD cars have an under body slide switch). For DCC on/off lighting control of an entire passenger train with one push treating the string of cars as a consist may be a solution.  Does anyone know if you can "consist" accessory decoders?  An cost effective alternative to consist the train would be to install a small HO locomotive decoder in each car and use only the light output function.  NCE DS13sr's  cost around $16 in quantity buy from discount dealers.  

I considered using DCC decoders for lighting control but passenger trains on my railroad are staged out of sight when not in service.  For my specific circumstance I concluded on/off functionality wasn't worth the added expense.  I'll reconsider it for one or two special cars (like a business car) that spend most of their time sitting on a visible station siding.

Ed Rappe

Thanks for posting Mr. Sethian!

John

Gents,

A great thanks to Mike Deberg, Ed Rappe, and especially John Sethian for providing pictures and catalog numbers and in depth detail on how to address the flickering led lights in Sunset pass. cars!

Teddymich

Great Stuff guy's!! Thanks for posting all the good info.

David

Good catch and I stand corrected! There is just a rectifier on the board.   I just went downstairs and measured the input and outputs on a new board (with the lights connected):

at 12 VAC input it gives 9.6 VDC out

at 14 VAC input it gives 11.43 VDC out

at 19 VAC input it gives 16.63 VDC out

I have been regularly running 18 VAC for my DCS system, and have not had any problems with these components.

Thanks for the corrections.  I have edited my post 

Interesting reading, so basically the output is just a rectified (not regulated) DC.  I have a set of the GDD aluminum with LED and didn't notice the filckering.  Rectified output of AC or DCC will have ripples and addition of the RC circuit is usually standard practice.   I'll look to add the RC filter.   I have a set plastic GGD older boards and replaced the standard bulbs with resistors and LEDs.  The older boards came with a rectifier, 5 volt regulator+heatsink and capacitor.