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Connecting the N8077 OptiCom Simulator
Installing
the N8077 is very straightforward. 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 and cause a short
circuit.
Included with the module are two 6” lengths of #32 insulated wire. If
necessary, these can be used for power input wires. If used, we recommend the
red wire be used for the + DC connection. It would be connected to solder point
1
as shown in Fig. 1. This wire could also connect through a switch to the + DC
connection for remote control of the lighting effect. The other (black) wire
should be connected to – DC and to solder point
2. 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, decoder 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.
Track powering (without a decoder connection) All of our Simulators require a clean DC voltage of known polarity for their power source. Track power is typically provided in one of two forms. DC voltage (analog), or DCC. Analog track power has been around for more than 75 years. Simply put, a DC voltage is applied to the two tracks with one being +DC and the other, -DC. Increase the voltage and the electric motor in the locomotive spins faster making the train go faster. If the train is required to reverse, track polarity is reversed so the loco's motor turns in reverse. Also, what defines "forward and reverse" is dependent on which way the loco is facing when it's put on the track. Bottom line here is that track polarity is not fixed. Our Simulator needs fixed polarity. DCC track power is such that to devices requiring plain DC voltage, it looks like AC power. That is because voltage levels on each track go both + and – continuously. The DCC decoders in locomotives “descramble” the track signals and provide correct polarity so their motors can function normally. It is this process that will allow multiple locomotives to go in different directions on the same section of track, at the same time (a feature not available with analog track power). Once again, our Simulator needs fixed polarity and it needs to look like DC voltage. Due to our Simulator's very small size, there is insufficient space to include additional circuitry and components necessary for proper power conditioning when direct track pickup is to be used. There are two solutions to this problem and both are inexpensive:
Connecting LEDs
When
connecting the LED, proper polarity must be observed. LEDs are “polarity
sensitive” and will not function is connected backwards.
The N8077
is configured to connect to a 20 ma LED with a device voltage of 3.3-3.6 VDC.
This covers all of Ngineering’s white
LEDs, as well as most of the white LEDs available.
Using wire
appropriate for the size of the LED and its placement in the project, connect
the LED
cathode
(the
–
connection) to point #3 on the module and connect the LED
anode
(the +) to solder point #4.
See figure 4 below.
Figure 4
This
completes connection of the N8077
module. It is recommended that a thorough re-inspection of all connections and
module placement be performed prior to applying power to the locomotive. We hope
you enjoy the added realism our module provides.
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