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Have USA G Switcher hook up smoke generators

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ironacres:
Yes I was considering the power draw and how much I want smoke.  Compared to the low volts that the Aristocraft units use.  I have a 5 volt relay, will try and see what the battery time is.  I am also installing a servo trigger board for my Kadee RC couple, no draw to speak of. Yes 5 volts relay output on LM to answer your question.   I looked and did see it is a voltage regulator, I should know better.  Thanks all for the continuing help. 

ironacres:

--- Quote from: Alan on January 17, 2021, 08:53:19 AM ---Disclaimer: I have no experience with LM-3S-G. My experience is limited to HO LM-2 and LM-3.

I find it odd the LM outputs are only 5V when operating on a 18.5V supply. Are you certain of that measurement?

Smoke units will draw some serious juice because of the heating coils. Doubtful an LM can directly power. By your picture the original installation also required a driver circuit (the two transistors). Have you tried using the LM output to drive the base pin of the little transistor on the circuit board?

If you do go the relay route make sure to place a flyback diode across the relay coil otherwise you could damage the LM internal output transistor.



--- End quote ---

trainman605:
I use the 12v LED's sold on eBay in both 3mm and 5mm with a resistor which drops to around 7-9 volts, I do the same for all my interior lighting powered by a 9v battery. I use both soft white and bright white LED's depending on location and how bright I want the light to be, usually HL and TL bright white and interior lights soft white. Do note here since RailPro light output is only 5v and using these 12v LED's surprising how bright these bulbs are at only 5v being supplied to them. I talked with Don Sweet at RCS of New England and he even suggested using the other power supply on the module which is what your battery power is (14.8v) and with the resistor on the LED you will probably get total brightness and not burn out the LED, but test before you install, you could add another resistor to adjust light output. All being said, LED's are very flexible going down in voltage, but up not so good, they tend to smoke and go puff. I know some who figure this out on paper using all there electronic knowledge, but I'm old world and commonsense works well for me.

trainman

ironacres:
I use the same LEDs have no problems.

ironacres:
Talking with Railpro some more on smoke generator hookup.  I could rout track or battery power to the modual relay output built into the LM, and get higher voltage to run smoke.  They do like the relay idea better it helps to isolate the LM from any problems. And the draw is much lower. Smoke generator draws more current than running relay.  I am also going to install a DPDT switch so I can run battery or track, depending on run time. See what happens, have all the parts and ready to install.

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