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Connecting the N8044A Unmarked Police Car Simulator

 

Installing the N8044A is very straightforward. Its tiny size and thin construction will allow it to be placed nearly anywhere in any scale model. Because the module has circuitry on both sides, care must be taken to be sure that the components or wires soldered will not make contact with any metal object causing a short circuit.

The Simulator can be powered by battery or any well-filtered and regulated DC power source with an output of 6-18VDC.

Included with the module are three 6” lengths of #32 insulated wire. If necessary, these can be used for power and input control wires.

Solder point #1 is the + DC power connection as shown in Fig. 1.

                              Figure 1

Important note: A low-wattage iron with a pointed tip should be used for connection of wires. Too much heat or solder can easily damage the wires or module and void the warranty.

Also, all connecting wires should be pre-tinned before soldering them to the module. This will make connection quick and easy and ensure excessive heat is not applied to the solder points.

Solder point #2 is the -DC (or ground) power connection.

 

Connecting LEDs to the N8044A

When connecting the LEDs, proper polarity must be observed. LEDs are “polarity sensitive” and will not function if connected backwards. The N8044A is configured for the "common-anode" connection of two 20ma LEDs to solder points 3, 4 and 5 . The most common LED colors for this application is one red LED and one blue LED. Ngineering's Nano, or Micro LEDs are ideal for this choice. The N8044A uses an on-board current limiting resistor to protect these  2 LEDs so no external resistor is required.

Common-anode wiring refers to 2 or more LEDs that share a single connection (wire) to their anodes (+DC connections).

Using wire appropriate for the size of the LED and its placement in the modeling project, connect the 2 LED anodes (the + connections) together and wire that junction to solder point 4 on the module. Connect one LED cathode (the -) to solder point 3. Connect the other LED cathode (-) to solder point 5.

Additionally, the N8044A has a third output (solder point 7) configured to alternately turn on and off 2 series-wired white LEDs to simulate the vehicles headlights. Solder point 7 is connected at the junction of the anode/cathode series connection of these 2 LEDs. One of these LEDs has its cathode wired in series with a resistor connected to solder point 2 (-DC), and the other LED has its anode wired in series with a resistor connected to solder point 6. These resistors (plus a spare) are included in the Simulator package.

See Fig. 2 below for a schematic layout of LED hookup.

 

REMEMBER: Micro and Nano LED polarity markers for RED LEDs are reverse of "normal". The marker points to the ANODE (+) not the CATHODE (-).

                                           Figure 2

Once again, be sure to use a low-wattage soldering iron when connecting wires to the module.

Our N40M2 12-watt Iron with either the N408I (iron clad) Needle Tip, or the N408X (bare copper) Needle Tip would be an excellent choice for this operation.

To simulate a typical unmarked police or state traffic patrol car, the two common-anode wired LEDs should be placed inside the car and located such that they are visible through the driver's side rear window.

                                       

This completes connection of the N8044A module. It is recommended that a thorough re-inspection of all connections and module placement be performed prior to applying power to your model. We hope you enjoy the added realism our module provides.

 

     

© 2009 Ngineering