Kato Passenger Car lighting, a new trick I tried

DCESharkman Apr 23, 2011

  1. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Hi,

    I have a new way to install the Kato LED's in the passenger cars. I got tired of the flickering etc and wanted something more reliable.

    So here is what I did:

    First, I soldered the LED board leads to the contacts, relable electrical always means soldering.

    Second, I bent the last 1/4 or so of the contact back on top of itself, this spring effect placed more pressure over and area of the contact lead and the frame bus in the car.

    Third, I worked the contacts with the ligthing board into position using a one side hop-over the two vertical partitions where they are supposed to be installed. This is more of a physical need becasue the contacs are no longer free.

    Last, take the plastic LED board cover and install it forcing it down over the contactsfor a tight fit. This give the whole assmebly a little more of a physical contact increase.

    I did this on 4 Kato business cars as my test bed. And they are now only flickering going over an unpowered frog. Running on regular track there are no flickers any longer.

    I am still considering a small capacitor to remove the flicker for an unpowered frog. I am just trying to figure out the right size to use.

    I hope this helps you with your Kato lighting issues. I still have to see the long term performance, but for now I am very happy with the results.
     
  2. Steve Ervin

    Steve Ervin TrainBoard Member

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    If you find the right capacitor and it is small enough I'd like to know about it. I want to do the same thing.


    Steve E.
     
  3. sandro schaer

    sandro schaer TrainBoard Member

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    same here. let me know what type of capacitor you used.

    oh, guess i need a different one cause of running dcc.
     
  4. Jerry M. LaBoda

    Jerry M. LaBoda TrainBoard Supporter

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    I also would like to see how this goes. As nice as the Rapido lighting might be I am not impressed by the appearance of the light, especially so because of its color, when applied to heavyweight cars. I, myself, have considered a pair of bus wires from one car to the next just out of the hope of being able to make lighting more reliable, but if this can be fixed with a capacitor it likely will be the way I will be going with it.
     
  5. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Sandro,

    I am 100% DCC on my layout so I am woking on the DCC solution that should also work with DC.

    Given the better connectivity, a smaller capacitor should work just fine. I am hoping a small ceramic disc will work, but testing will tell the tale!

    Once it is all figured out, I will post the final solution and hopefully get the hang of the digital camera and the uploading and have some shots!
     
  6. Rich Businger

    Rich Businger TrainBoard Member

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    I would try a Tantalum Capacitor rated at minimum 25v. 100uF might be enough.

    Surface mount Tantalum Capacitors are typically flat and square.

    Jim Hinds uses Super Capacitors in his lighting modules. You might want to look at those as well.


    Rich
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 25, 2011
  7. Steve Ervin

    Steve Ervin TrainBoard Member

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    MOst of the super capacitors are too large to fit. I do have one that would fit with modification. On the other side I have a couple of super capacitors from a car that would run the whole layout!
     
  8. Kevin M

    Kevin M TrainBoard Member

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    I only have a few cars with the light kits, mostly a few bussness cars and RDC's. I put some Atlas Conducta Lube cleaner on the contacts where they meet the brass strips and also on the truck contacts where the meet the brass strip. Anyways after a few minites of running the flickering for the most part will stop.
    Kevin
     
  9. CMStP&P

    CMStP&P TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm using the capacitors from Ngineering.

    See Lighting_accessories
    and scroll down.
    I'm using the capacitors in parallel (3 or 4) and this works well..

    Michael
     
  10. Rich Businger

    Rich Businger TrainBoard Member

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    Richmond Controls uses Super Capacitors on most if not all his N Scale lighting modules. Jim also sells a lighting kit for Kato Passenger cars that utilizes a Super Capacitor for flicker free lighting.


    Rich
     

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