Hello all, I am a bit confused with the term "constant lighting". Does it mean that the headlights stay lit via capacitors if the loco goes over a short? -Or- Does it mean that that light is brought to its max brightness, even though the track voltage may not be that high?, don't think that would work. Found an old MRR magazine (Dec 1992, pg.124) with an article on how to make a constant lighting unit, and couldn't understand why you would need it. Thanks, Nathan.
NJ
Constant lighting means the lights stay on constantly. With DCC track voltage is constant so most or all DCC decoders have constant brightness as once the light function button is pressed the light is constantly glowing. Other more elaborate decoders can have a function that dims the lights until the throttle is turned up. My MTH SD70ACE has this function. At idle it's dim. Turn up the throttle and it go's full.
Jerry
NJ
I knew there was a post on this so I did a quick search. Here is a better view from the best of the best--- Yampa Bob and Jim Banner
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6421.0.html
It's on headlight conversion but give's you a better perspective on your question.
Jerry
Ok thanks :) How would that work with DC? I should have been more specific in my first post. Also thanks for the quick response ;D, Nathan.
I don't do DC but I would have to say when the throttle is off the light's are off.
Turn up the throttle and the light's come on. The more voltage supplied the brighter the light same as the more throttle you give the faster the loco move's.
Jerry
another find by searching. this has what you are asking.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,17220.0.html
Nathan
Constant lighting goes back a long ways. A link below will tell you all about this. It was for locos on DC layouts before DCC was ever thought about.
With the throttle at zero or switching direction, the light is off.
http://www.mrollins.com/circuit.html
Notice, it uses 1.5 volt bulbs. At one time, many wanted lights before the loco started moving.
Decoders and DCC took care of this issue. The decoder does the lighting now.
Many are not aware of this and many forget about it.
Rich