Houston - we have a problem!!!!!!!!!

[bulleidboy]

I have just installed a 3v bus under my street and shops, and have wired the taxi lights and the belisha beacons - they all work - but everything is flashing in sinc. with the belisha beacons. I can give the belisha beacons their own power supply (pain ) - but any ideas why this is happening? I was going to add the street lights and shop lighting to the same supply - may be not! BB

[Walkingthedog]

Is the power going through the beacons on its way to everything else?

[bulleidboy]

No - that's what I don't understand - the beacons are, and will be, at the end of the line. It's a bit like putting a novelty flashing light bulb into a lamp at home, and the whole house is flashing.

[Rog (RJ)]

If the various lights are LEDs this can happen if they don't have resistors fitted. One set of lights (usually red LEDs) rob all the power.

[Brian]

If the Beacons are not in series then it reads as though possibly the total load is exceeding the power supplies rating? Try removing the beacons and see if the other lights then stabilise

[bulleidboy]

I've disconnected the beacons and every thing is fine. Does this mean the beacons need a separate power supply?

[Steve M]

I had a similar issue some years ago - solved by fitting each led with its own resistor. It was in the days when I tried using just one resistor for the whole lot.

[bulleidboy]

Does it matter which wire (+/-) the resistors are attached to?

[Steve M]

Barry it’s one or the other.

Try this:

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

[bulleidboy]

Thanks Steve - I think that will be helpful. Barry