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Connecting the N8041A Modern-era Alternating Flasher for 3 or 6 LEDs

 

Installing the N8041A is very straightforward. Because the module has circuitry on both sides, care must be taken to be sure that the components or wires soldered will not make contact with any metal object which could cause a short circuit.

Included with the module are two 6” lengths of #32 insulated wire. If necessary, these can be used for power input wires. If used, we recommend the blue wire be used for the + DC connection. It would be connected to solder point 1 as shown in Fig. 1. This wire could also connect through a switch to the + DC connection for remote control of the lighting effect. The other (green) wire should be connected to – DC and to solder point 2.

Any well regulated DC power source can be used to power this module providing the voltage is at least 6VDC and doesn't exceed 18VDC. Our N3512 and N3518 Power supplies are ideal for this use. Also, due to the very low power consumption, this device can also be powered by a battery, such as a standard 9-volt.

Important note: A low-wattage iron with a pointed tip should be used for connection of wires. Too much heat or solder can easily damage the wires or module and void the warranty.

                                Figure 1

Also, all connecting wires should be pre-tinned before soldering them to the module. This will make connection quick and easy and ensure excessive heat is not applied to the solder points.

 

If this module will be used in conjunction with a DCC decoder, most wired decoders have a blue wire which is the common connection for all wired functions (F0, F1, etc.). It is the + DC connection and will be connected to solder point #1 as shown in Fig. 1.                        

If the decoder is a “drop-in” style without wires, consult the decoder manual and use the blue wire supplied to connect point #1 to the appropriate + solder pad.

If the solder pad has a resistor in series with it, be sure to connect the blue wire behind the resistor (see Fig. 2). This will ensure full voltage is supplied to the module.

 

                             Figure 2

 

Direct Track powering (without a decoder connection)

There may be situations where it is necessary to tap into track power to drive this Alternating Flasher Simulator. Two possible cases are: when it is located in rolling stock without a decoder (such as a passenger car, MOW car or caboose), or when it is located in stationary structure. All of our Simulators require a clean DC voltage of known polarity for their power source. Track power is typically provided in one of two forms. DC voltage (analog), or DCC.

Analog track power has been around for more than 75 years. Simply put, a DC voltage is applied to the two tracks with one being +DC and the other, -DC. Increase the voltage and the electric motor in the locomotive spins faster making the train go faster. If the train is required to reverse, track polarity is reversed so the loco's motor turns in reverse. Also, what defines "forward and reverse" is dependent on which way the loco is facing when it's put on the track. Bottom line here is that track polarity is not fixed. Our Simulator needs fixed polarity.

DCC track power is such that to devices requiring plain DC voltage, it looks like AC power. That is because voltage levels on each track go both + and – continuously. The DCC decoders in locomotives “descramble” the track signals and provide correct polarity so their motors can function normally. It is this process that will allow multiple locomotives to go in different directions on the same section of track, at the same time (a feature not available with analog track power). Once again, our Simulator needs fixed polarity and it needs to look like DC voltage.

Due to our Simulator's very small size, there is insufficient space to include additional circuitry and components necessary for proper power conditioning when direct track pickup is to be used. There are two solutions to this problem and both are inexpensive:

Discrete components

The Simulator can be powered from the track with the addition of two readily available components: a bridge rectifier (our N301S or N302S will work just fine). If DCC operation is used, the addition of a filter capacitor (10μf or larger and minimum 16-volt) will be required. Figure 3 below is schematic diagram of the connections required.

                                             Figure 3

This is the least expensive solution, but is has a couple of minor drawbacks. First, the bridge rectifier (and capacitor, if needed) are not mounted on a circuit board so direct solder connection is required and you will need to ensure the pins on the rectifier and leads on the capacitor (depending on the type of capacitor) are organized so that they won't short out against anything. Second, depending on the physical size of the bridge selected (and capacitor, if needed) and the scale you're modeling, hiding these additional components so they're not noticeable can be a bit of a challenge.

N8101 DC Power Source

A more elegant, but very slightly more costly ($3.95) solution would be to use our N8101 DC Power Source. It has all of the components needed, includes a circuit board with solder points, is extremely tiny (1/2 the size of our Simulator), has the lowest possible voltage loss (important for analog operators). Click here for more information on the N8101. Figure 4 below is schematic diagram of the connections required.

                                               Figure 4

Connecting LEDs

When connecting LEDs, proper polarity must be observed. LEDs are “polarity sensitive” and will not function if connected backwards.  The N8041A is configured to connect three series-wired 20 ma red or yellow LEDs with device voltages of 1.85-2.0 VDC between solder points 3 & 4. & a second pair between points 5 & 6  These LEDs will use the N8041A’s on-board current protection resistor.

 Use wire appropriate for the size of the LED and its placement in the model. For two LEDs, connect the first LED anode (the + connection) to solder point 4.  Connect the cathode (- connection) of this LED to the anode of the second LED and connect the cathode (- connection) of the second LED to solder point 3. For a single LED, connect one side of a 81-ohm resistor (supplied in this package with a spare) to solder point 4. Connect the other side of the resistor to the anode of the LED. Connect the LED cathode to point 3.

Repeat as stated above for the second pair (or single LED) for solder points 5 & 6.

 Repeat as stated above for the third pair (or single LED) for solder points 7 & 6.

.

 

                                    Figure 5

 

 

Once again, be sure to use a low-wattage soldering iron when connecting wires to the module.

 

 

This completes hookup of our  Alternating Flasher modules. We hope the added realism it provides enhances your enjoyment of the hobby.

 

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