Adding rear marker lights to Kato Superliners, N scale

[Ike the BN Freak]

So looked all over, aka google searched and couldn't come up with anything.

I have a limited understanding of electronics, however no idea where to start.

Looking to add simple red rear marker lights to a Kato Superliner or two.  Would want to use track power, as Kato's have decent pickup.  Looked on Richmond Controls and Ngineering sites, couldn't find anything, but not really too sure what I should be either.

[PAL_Houston]

I didn't do the work, but I have one with 2-function decoder that lights the markers and also the drumhead.  And it seems like I've seen an installation how-to somewhere in the last couple of years.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Hoping to not have to use a DCC decoder as the local NTrak club is not in the mood to move into the 21st Century and do DCC.  So its gotta be DC.

[wcfn100]

IIRC (back 25 years), modelers would make 5v constant lighting with a bridge rectifier.  I wonder if it's in that Electronics Projects for MRRs (or whatever it was called).


Jason

[Ian MacMillan]

http://www.mrollins.com/constant2.html

[wcfn100]

Yeah, that's it.  I guess the 5v I was thinking of was for converting DCC to 5v DC using a similar method.

Jason

[DKS]

http://www.mrollins.com/constant2.html

That's for 1.5V bulbs, not 5V, just to be clear. I'm not making any assumptions about what's needed based on the previous (ambiguous) posts.

[lyled1117]

Just as an FYI if this gives options, but most decoders can be programmed to operate their functions (lights in this case) on DC track. Directional capability, flashing, Mars, etc. can all be present. TCS and Digitrax both make function only decoders, and both can be set to respond to DC operation.

Lyle

[peteski]

The simplest option would be to use couple of red LEDs and a resistor (all wired in series).  Since the car is already wired for electric pickup, getting the power from the track would be easy.

[Ike the BN Freak]

The simplest option would be to use couple of red LEDs and a resistor (all wired in series).  Since the car is already wired for electric pickup, getting the power from the track would be easy.

But wouldn't this only light in one direction?  Or will the lights remain on regardless of direction?

[peteski]

But wouldn't this only light in one direction?  Or will the lights remain on regardless of direction?

One direction only. But isn't that what you want anyway?

If you want it to work in both directions you need to add a bridge rectifier.

[Ike the BN Freak]

One direction only. But isn't that what you want anyway?

If you want it to work in both directions you need to add a bridge rectifier.

Basically, but again, being limited in electronics knowledge, wouldn't it only work in one direction, as long as the direction is set for the "right" direction?  Or would the bridge rectifier fix that?  If so, the link Ian posted should work, just need to figure out what LEDs and resistors I'd need.

[DKS]

Basically, but again, being limited in electronics knowledge, wouldn't it only work in one direction, as long as the direction is set for the "right" direction?  Or would the bridge rectifier fix that?  If so, the link Ian posted should work, just need to figure out what LEDs and resistors I'd need.

The link Ian posted shows a circuit for powering 1.5V microbulbs; it also requires a load to work--in this case, the locomotive motor. A bridge rectifier used to power LEDs would need to be wired differently than the circuit shown.

Does your Superliner car have an interior lighting unit installed? If not, I would consider getting one for it; then you'd have a ready-made power supply for marker lights--with interior lighting as a bonus.

[peteski]

Basically, but again, being limited in electronics knowledge, wouldn't it only work in one direction, as long as the direction is set for the "right" direction?  Or would the bridge rectifier fix that?  If so, the link Ian posted should work, just need to figure out what LEDs and resistors I'd need.

I'll draw a diagram for couple of circuits for you later.  Just few components are needed.

[Ike the BN Freak]

I'll draw a diagram for couple of circuits for you later.  Just few components are needed.

Thanks.

As for the interior lighting, not something I was looking to do anytime soon.