Interested in getting some info about this bumper if anybody has one. Specifically, thought about replacing non-lighting post and retro-fitting a LED on top. Would like to know what is underneath plastic roadbed in that section of bumper to determine whether its possible. Thank you.
The bumper simply unsnaps from the track bed section. 100_1212-1 by John Moore posted Jul 29, 2021 at 3:58 PM The dummy light is a simple push out from underneath. 100_1213-2 by John Moore posted Jul 29, 2021 at 3:58 PM
Thank you so much... John. Definitely clarifies option and think an LED can go where post is located on top.
DCC current is AC isn't it? What kind of circuit will you use to illuminate the LED? This is a cool idea Mark.
Hi, How are you? I bought the Kato illuminated bumpers and while Kato claims DCC compatibility, found NCE knowledgebase article indicating that illuminated bumpers should be avoided. And, I definitely agree!! No doubt due to power drain on DCC, among other things. Just sold them. So, thought about using the 047's and mounting LED that would be connected to ( long term) GPIO pin on the raspberry pi running JMRI. There seems to be some JMRI documentation regarding controlling via JMRI though my research at this point would be best described as cursory at best. 2 spurs would have yellow or amber LED and one layout spur has insulating joiners; in which a DPDT switch option would be used. For that spur, a red or maybe a bi-polar Red-Green LED, (Red when connected to prog output of base station) is the idea.
I found this on the NCE website about a month after buying the 064s last October. The 3rd paragraph in bold from bottom was a bit disturbing and didn't want power drain from track so removed them. https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207991626-Power-Cab-Track-Voltage
Apparently, they only draw 0.015 amps, so unless you have an awful lot of them or are already close to your DCC system's limits, I wouldn't be too concerned about power drain:
The 15mA rating based on DC with no spec for DCC. It would be very interesting to observe, measure and compare operation to DCC. Anyway, I loved the 064 lit bumpers under DC with switches set to power routing.
That 15ma rating is at 12V, if the DCC system puts out 12 volts, it would be the same. If the DCC systems puts out more, the current would be a little more, but not much, certainly no more than 20 ma with any DCC system you'll likely be using with N-scale.
Without knowing whether Kato is simply using a bipolar LED with current limiting resistor or some other basic circuit, connection to the track output and its impact on DCC signal may be a factor too. Decided to follow the NCE recommendation and, after running additional track power feeds, shortening as well, and 15g sub-bus to reduce transmission line resistance by ohm's, just figured why use the 064 and place any additional unnecessary loads across the track output. Only want DCC capable devices connected to and consuming DCC track power. If the 64s had a built in decoder, so ON OFF state can be controlled via DCC, that would be a satisfactory compromise and GREAT!!! Before selling the 64s (at a loss), even thought about using insulating joiners and power the bumper via a separate hard wired connection and source but wheels bridging issues would likely occur. At any rate, think the 047s have real promise for LED mod and future control under DCC.
