30 replies to this topic

[Yngwie]

Hey all. I have a few host cars that I let the kids use when they come over and was thinking of giving them some lighting. I dont want anything fancy such as lights staying on etc. Just lighting.
So, if I have 4 leds that draw 3 volts each and my track is running at 12 volts, then I can attach them together without the need for a resistor! So

12V ------- +Led- ---- +Led- ------ +Led- ---- +Led- -------?

It is this easy to get 2 front lights and 2 rears working in a basic form?

Regards

John

[chenglaw]

I don't think wiring the lights in series would be a good idea. If one blows or there's a loose connection somewhere, everything will go black. I also took a simplistic approach when I wired up my Ford GT40 for a 3-hour enduro race but I wired up the lights in parallel, using just 1 resistor (hooked up to the common negative). This worked very well and I had no lighting problems throughout the race.

[aussieslotter]

yup if you wire in series the last light gets more power. Parallel is better.

[Ember]

I'd also consider wiring a diode in so as not to blow the lights if car is put on track backwards.

[neophytte]

This should work ...



Cheers

Richard

[kalbfellp]

I seem to remember seeing THAT circuit some where before!

[Yngwie]

Diagram is just what I need. Just to clarify, is that 0.047 or 0.47? These dont seem to come cheap from my research!

[aussieslotter]

Are the red diodes brake lights? I guess not, not wired to motor.

Edited by aussieslotter, 11 April 2010 - 08:01 PM.

[aussieslotter]

Heres a brake light circuit.




Lots more on Slotforum.....

Edited by aussieslotter, 11 April 2010 - 08:14 PM.

[neophytte]

kalbfellp, on Apr 11 2010, 05:46 PM, said:

I seem to remember seeing THAT circuit some where before!

I think it was one of Ricks(?) circuits he posted ...

The capacitor will keep the power to the lights after a de-slot: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResults.as...&SUBMIT.y=0

You could probably remove this from the circuit if you only want lights when you're on the track (or never de-slot!)

Cheers

Richard

[edit] here is another URL: http://slotcars.carlsoncomputers.com/artic...otcarlights.asp

Edited by neophytte, 11 April 2010 - 09:29 PM.

[rick1776]

neophytte, on Apr 11 2010, 07:09 PM, said:

This should work ...



Cheers

Richard

Theyre hard to find but I would get two 0.1F caps and connect them in series (this reduces the value to 0.05F but then you get 11V rating). That way you can get rid of the 5.5V zener and 150 ohm resistor. Put the two white LEDs in series and use a 560 ohm resistor. That will give you about 10mA current flow. Series up the two red LEDs and use a 1.2K resistor. This will give yoy about 7mA through the LEDS

That combo should give you about 10 seconds of lights if you deslot or power off.

[Bulsara]

I love the concept of "power off" stop lights. Plucka has a car wired this way and it is fascinating.

[kalbfellp]

The circuit above gives over 30 seconds of light when the car deslots. Althought the taillights tend to go out sooner.

[aussieslotter]

Bulsara, on Apr 11 2010, 11:33 PM, said:

I love the concept of "power off" stop lights. Plucka has a car wired this way and it is fascinating.

Yup brake lights are so cool, especially in the dark........

Edited by aussieslotter, 12 April 2010 - 08:39 AM.

[rick1776]

Have you actually built that circuit? That circuit draws about 60mA and has a RC time constant of only about 4 seconds. I coulnt get it to work effectively. It works dont get me wrong but it just died too quickly.
I suppose if you dont deslot its not a problem.

[Yngwie]

Rick, I found these and they are not too far from me.
0.1F Super Capacitor

Fairly pricey for only a handful but once you buy 10+ it is pretty reasonable. ANyone else want some so that we can get the price down somewhat?

Regards

John

[kalbfellp]

Rick: Most of my rally cars use that circuit,I think it came from a german site originally. I just translated it and sorted local components. Some where I also have one with working tailights.

[rick1776]

Yngwie, on Apr 12 2010, 09:57 AM, said:

Rick, I found these and they are not too far from me.
0.1F Super Capacitor

Fairly pricey for only a handful but once you buy 10+ it is pretty reasonable. ANyone else want some so that we can get the price down somewhat?

Regards

John

No probs Phil. Ive got a cct that I did where the tail lights go brighter when you hit the brakes on the controller. It works on my bread board but it really needs to run on 12V. The time constant is just too short with 0.1F and it doesnt work at 5.5V. I bought some 1F caps from Jaycar and the cct works a treat but the caps are 25mm in diameter, just too big. But John's find at Farnel is great.

John,

I think a better bet would be this one. Just mount it on its side, its .33F. You'll need 2 of them in series and this will give you .17F. At 11V this will work well. Only $2.38. If it helps you out put me down for 6. I'll even give you my cct for free.

http://au.farnell.com/panasonic/eecs0hd224...f-5v/dp/9692690

[Yngwie]

rick1776, on Apr 12 2010, 10:31 AM, said:

Yngwie, on Apr 12 2010, 09:57 AM, said:

Rick, I found these and they are not too far from me.
0.1F Super Capacitor

Fairly pricey for only a handful but once you buy 10+ it is pretty reasonable. ANyone else want some so that we can get the price down somewhat?

Regards

John

No probs Phil. Ive got a cct that I did where the tail lights go brighter when you hit the brakes on the controller. It works on my bread board but it really needs to run on 12V. The time constant is just too short with 0.1F and it doesnt work at 5.5V. I bought some 1F caps from Jaycar and the cct works a treat but the caps are 25mm in diameter, just too big. But John's find at Farnel is great.

John,

I think a better bet would be this one. Just mount it on its side, its .33F. You'll need 2 of them in series and this will give you .17F. At 11V this will work well. Only $2.38. If it helps you out put me down for 6. I'll even give you my cct for free.

http://au.farnell.com/panasonic/eecs0hd224...f-5v/dp/9692690

Have you linked to the right ones Rick? Seems the one you have linked to are 0.22f and $4.21? Just checking before I get some! And would love a copy of your circuit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

John

Edited by Yngwie, 12 April 2010 - 10:41 AM.

[kalbfellp]

Maybe we need a resources section where all these cct's can be found by anyone, we could include track wiring, sensor wiring etc.

Vinno, Bo etc what do you guys think?