Ditch lights and decoders

KenPortner Feb 5, 2012

  1. KenPortner

    KenPortner TrainBoard Member

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    Do the white/yellow and blue wires from the decoder that connect to the front/back lights also connect to the ditch lights somehow?

    And where do the green, purple function lights come in?

    Also, do decoders usually have resistors on them for the front/rear lights? (or do you not need resistors except for LED's?

    Thank you
     
  2. jagged ben

    jagged ben TrainBoard Member

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    If you want control of the ditch lights that is separate from the headlights, you need to connect them to the green or purple wires. If you want to do the alternating flashing of the ditchlights, like on some prototypes, you need to connect one ditchlight to green and one to purple.

    If you don't care about separate control, you can connect the ditchlights to the white wire.

    Some do and some don't. Some bulbs require resistors and some don't.

    What are you using?
     
  3. Ike the BN Freak

    Ike the BN Freak TrainBoard Member

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    Most do not come with resistors. Also, you WILL need resistors for LEDs. Most decoders put out 12VDC for the white and blue, so you'll need to drop the voltage for the lights if you are using bulbs with less voltage requirements or LEDs
     

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