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  • #1

    Gas-Electric (Doodlebug) Rehab

    Have been working on a Bachmann Gas-Electric (think "Doodlebug") conversion to DCC recently. This beast was not designed to be worked upon once the factory had locked it up! And "Locked" is the operative word there! Not a project for the faint of heart! But I'm in, the conversion looks relatively straightforward, and I have high hopes. The necessary cosmetic stuff on the exterior will take some care, but the project is within reach of completion. [^]

    This unit has passenger compartment lights that are supposed to be "on" full-time. Anyone have any suggestions on how to do this with DCC?

    Thanks!

    Pete

    in Michigan
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Hi Pete. A Digitrax TF4 decoder will turn lights on and off.


    Louis L&R Western Railroad
    Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast

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    • #3
      Thanks, Louis! That's in addition to the Tsunami-2 I am installing, right?

      Stay safe!

      Pete

      in Michigan

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      • #4
        quote:

        Originally posted by Orionvp17

        Thanks, Louis! That's in addition to the Tsunami-2 I am installing, right?

        Stay safe!

        Pete

        in Michigan

        Yes Pete. Here is a wiring example with motor decoder and the TF4. The TF4 was made to turn on and off lighting and other accessories.




        Louis L&R Western Railroad
        Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast

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        • #5
          It is a very small size being 0.461” x 0.31” x 0.161” (11.7mm x 7.8mm x 4.1mm)


          Louis L&R Western Railroad
          Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast

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          • #6
            And assuming that it is installed with a Tsunami-2, what's the decoder address? The motor decoder will have the car body address.

            I'm OK on concepts... it's the pesky little details that bug me! :erm:

            Many thanks!!

            Pete

            in Michigan

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            • #7
              If the lights are to be on full-time (e.g. whenever DCC voltage is on the rails), why not just install a rectifier bridge and resistor or current-limiting diode appropriate to the LEDs you use? A CLD would power 4-5 white LEDs in series on DCC, after the voltage drop of the bridge and the CLD. Or you could use one of Evan Designs' pre-packaged setups.
              James

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              • #8
                quote:

                Originally posted by jbvb

                If the lights are to be on full-time (e.g. whenever DCC voltage is on the rails), why not just install a rectifier bridge and resistor or current-limiting diode appropriate to the LEDs you use? A CLD would power 4-5 white LEDs in series on DCC, after the voltage drop of the bridge and the CLD. Or you could use one of Evan Designs' pre-packaged setups.

                Hi James, somewhere in that question Pete asked, I thought he was stating that the passenger lights are factory lighted all the time, and he wanted to turn them on and off.

                I know my Doodlebug came with lights on all the time, and I changed them to turn on and off separate from the Sound decoder.


                Louis L&R Western Railroad
                Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast

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                • #9
                  Gentlemen,

                  Many thanks for the detailed explanations. I have to say, though, that I probably was not clear on two things.... I would like to be able to turn the lights on and off, yes, but that is not critical, and I am a total doofus on the electronic engineering bits and pieces. I figured out what James was saying all by myself, but that took awhile. The bridge rectifiers, current-limiting diodes and such are pretty much beyond me at the moment. My brother-the-rocket-scientist has the EE degree, not me.

                  That said, the Evan Designs idea has definite possibilities, and for that I thank you!

                  The lights are, as delivered, constant-On, and with a bulb that really wants to be changed to an LED at some point.

                  I need to go think....

                  Thanks to both of you!

                  Pete

                  in Michigan

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    The above diagram shows how to replace the bulbs with LED's for your passenger section, using the TF4 to turn on and off the lights at will.

                    Also, you could use a Magnetic Reed Switch if you prefer, wiring the passenger lights with a reed switch to turn on and off by using a hand held magnet. Again, many Google pages on reed switch use and wiring.




                    Louis L&R Western Railroad
                    Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast

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                    • #11
                      Thanks, Louis!

                      I appreciate the input!

                      Pete

                      in Michigan

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                      • #12
                        Pete,

                        I used a reed switch also on my rotary snow plow. I've got it written up here on my website.

                        http://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/RotaryPlow-2.html

                        If you go to the last page there is a video of how the magnet works the switch.

                        Bernd
                        New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds

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