I do agree that ..
- the m84 is better at
switching power
- while the m83 may
provide power
What the m84s
switch offers is the ability to switch a wide range of electrical circuits
- dead sections with a digital or analogue signal
- sounds to speakers
- and lights or motors with different voltages if needed, including a variable transformer for brightness/speed.
- basic functions like blinking
What the m83 may
provide is a
- voltage source of a set voltage (16VDC)
- controlled in power (which may loosely translate as brightness/speed) by way of PWM (Pulse width modulation)
- some more fancy capabilities like - florescent flicker on start, MARS, halogen, random - in addition to blinking options
Where the m83 may have perceived short comings is in the amount of power available
- the Spec for a m83 is 3Amp although the certified power supply is only 2Amp capable.
- the suggestion being that if all ports are on, they should not have more than an average of 250mA current draw.
Re:
Quote:I was also wondering, can I connect 24 street LED lights to a single m83 port through a single cable? Will that overload the m83/port?
Yes 24 LEDs may be connected to a m83 port.
Apparent to the electrical savey is that this would not be in a strict
series configuration as only 16V is available and a single LED , by design, needs a (approx) 2.5v potential difference),
However if you have ,say, 8 strings of 3 four LEDs (with appropriate current limiting resistor) in parallel, and given the LEDs are in the nominal 20mA to 40mA range you are about right.
Note: usually hobby LEDs strips are configured in 3's rated for 12v supply. If you are not wanting overly bright lights and the LED's still work at 8V then you may wire two strips in series and connect directly to a m83 port without an additional current limiting resister.
FWIW our club layout has a couple of meter long platform canopies. Two wires, from the m83 feed up a middle pillar and one strip of LEDs that goes left wired in series to a second strip that goes right.
While this could be done with a k84 to just turn the lights on or off, we also have wired in a 3rd wire to just one set of 3 LEDs and connected to a m83 port with the florescent startup function enabled. i.e. giving the impression of a single batton with a degraded tube/starter.
To cover off a few things.
1) Both the m83 and the m84 solutions should have any external power supply (6636x) connected
- this is desirable for the m83 so it dosn't suck power off the track (and reduce the power to trains)
- more to the point, i consider it
required, for both units, in order for the lights to stay functional (retain their settings) should you press stop on your controller or have a short - causing the signal feed to drop.
2) The black m84.2 (60842) , like the m83.2 (60831) , may be configured for 8 address mode. As long as each pair of ports is needing a common power source/signal, this can reduce the cost of investment.
3) Should you have need for either
- a) more than a SPST/SPDT relay in your circuit
- b) a self latching relay solution (meaning the m8x does not to require a separate 6636x power supply)
you might consider the using a m83 with an
external (latching) relay.
An example of this need is a DPDT relay that switches two circuits , one for a dead tract section and one for its accompanying light signal(s)