Electronics Help Please

[Rhinochugger]

The locoremote control unit deals with the directional lighting, it's one of the reasons I choose to go with it.

David

Yep, that's sensible and quite normal - not sure that being sensible is normal, but never mind.

So it's a question of the easiest way to power the trailer lights.

As ever, there's 101 ways of killing a cat, so you pays yer money and takes yer choice.

Having gone to the effort of getting pre-wired, 12v-rated LEDs, in my book you're already on course for a much simpler installation ......... the sort that I suggested (boring boring yawn yawn).

You'd end up with two wires into the trailer and connected to that source, two pairs of wires - one pair going to each of the end LEDs, and a third pair into the bridge rectifier, from which another pair go to the interior lighting

 

[3 minutes of fame]

But obviously not in the trailing car, (or will it ), hence the use of the motor lead power for the directional (rear) LEDs in the trailing car.

But this is not really directional lighting as per a loco, but a trailer which should only show a tail light when connected at the opposing end of the trailer?

I am assuming the trailer is never "pushed", so there's no requirement for the tail light to switch depending upon the motor direction, just for the light to illuminate at the right end.

If my assumptions are correct, then my diagram in post 16 is all that's required.

However.... Many trams have fixed illumination which is lit at both ends of the car irrespective of direction of travel. This was common practice on many street running systems up until the end of 1st generation trams, as red tail lights were not really a thing, just a white light front and rear.

 

[DafyddElvy]

But this is not really directional lighting as per a loco, but a trailer which should only show a tail light when connected at the opposing end of the trailer?

I am assuming the trailer is never "pushed", so there's no requirement for the tail light to switch depending upon the motor direction, just for the light to illuminate at the right end.

If my assumptions are correct, then my diagram in post 16 is all that's required.

However.... Many trams have fixed illumination which is lit at both ends of the car irrespective of direction of travel. This was common practice on many street running systems up until the end of 1st generation trams, as red tail lights were not really a thing, just a white light front and rear.

With there being so many differences in head/tail lights with different trams on different systems I have decided my Bachmann conversions will have head and read lights on powered trams and only rear lights at the trailing end of the vehicle on the trailers.

I have one pair of Bachmann/Liliput enclosed trams which are the same livery and different numbers which I am thinking about converting to operate as a pair which will make the wiring a bit more interesting, but that will be a pondering for next year.

Thanks all for the useful advice.

David

 

[Greg Elmassian]

One comment on using LEDs connected to the motor, they can obviously vary in brightness with speed, and also strictly speaking, you would like them on full brightness all the time, and to be on before the loco moves. I realize you need a "decoder" of some sort to do this, but I have seen battery people use relays to better the effect.

I do like your idea to switch which end lights up, I thought your circuit was pretty clever.

Greg