Author Topic: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights  (Read 1170 times)

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narrowminded

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Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« on: October 24, 2016, 03:06:21 PM »
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Are there any drop in LED replacement boards or others that might fit in Life-Like FA-1's or do I have to make up my own?
Mark G.

Joetrain59

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Re: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2016, 09:20:40 PM »
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No, no drop-in's. But you can wire in a 3mm led, as I was shown on Atlas board years ago. Just used a resistor on + lead. SMD leds, and devices are much smaller, so you could also use a diode and capacitor. Though I've had no problem with 3mm led's and resisitors only.
 Joe D

narrowminded

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Re: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2016, 09:32:04 PM »
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I figured I couldn't be so lucky. :(  It does look like the original board can be reused, just soldering in the new stuff.  I was planning on going that route but I thought I'd ask first as you folks have a bottomless bag of tricks. 8)
« Last Edit: October 24, 2016, 09:33:48 PM by narrowminded »
Mark G.

peteski

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Re: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2016, 10:18:11 PM »
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If replacing yellow LEDs or installing new white LEDs in DC models then I highly recommend some sort of a reverse-polarity protection for the white LED.  Unlike the yellow LEDs, white LEDs can easily be damaged by reverse voltages as low as 5V. If a DCC decoder is used then there is no need for protection (the Decoder does not reverse polarity in function outputs).
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narrowminded

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Re: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2016, 11:01:08 PM »
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I'm running these seven A units on DC with only a  headlight and not adding any more lights.  Just nice running work horses.  I intended to run continuous lighting and so if I'm going to have to do my own I may add a capacitor for constant light intensity with a pulse power controller.  With the bridge rectifier the need for a diode goes out the window.  The components would be the led, a bridge rectifier, capacitor, and resistor.  Does that sound like a plan?   :? :)
Mark G.

peteski

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Re: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2016, 11:47:42 PM »
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The components would be the led, a bridge rectifier, capacitor, and resistor.  Does that sound like a plan?   :? :)

Affirmative!
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narrowminded

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Re: Life-Like FA-1 led headlights
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2016, 03:06:15 AM »
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The question really originated because I was being lazy efficient with my time. 8)
Mark G.