 Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Hi all,
I know I been posting a bit here, seems like I been having problems with whatever I touch recently.
Something I thought would be straightforward is the installation of the LED lighting in some Roco coaches I have. For something defferent (for me), I went for the ESU digital interior lights.
So, I have it all installed and added it on the central station on a DCC address 3 - it all worked! But then I wanted to go change the address and change the CVs to simulate the flickering of the fluorescent lights.
On the programming track it goes but then, my Central Station 3 won’t read the decoder.
Not sure what’s going on, anyone have the same issues?
PS - I have Roco DCC locomotives and they are all work fine. So I don’t think it’s the CS3
Any comments or advice is most welcome
Eddie |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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 Joined: 28/03/2007(UTC) Posts: 303 Location: Torino,
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I don't have CS3 and these strips, but this looks like the usual behavior of function decoders.
Do you get an error when trying to read or write a CV ? Did you try to change e.g. the address and see if the lights respond to the new address?
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Originally Posted by: mario54i  I don't have CS3 and these strips, but this looks like the usual behavior of function decoders.
Do you get an error when trying to read or write a CV ? Did you try to change e.g. the address and see if the lights respond to the new address?
Hi, Thanks for your comment, all the best for the festive period. When using the default address 3, it works fine. I tried to change the address and read the decoder but keep getting errors. I decided to give it a break and the try again tomorrow. I may decide to just use normal LEDs without the decoder. |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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 Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 484 Location: USA
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CS3 update to 2.5.1 reportedly has some ESU decoder issues. |
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Originally Posted by: BenP CS3 update to 2.5.1 reportedly has some ESU decoder issues. I know, I went back to the previous update actually. I had some issues with the new update as well. |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Hi everyone,
Looking at the manual again, there is a mention to connect a load to AUX1. I’ll be exploring that tomorrow, hopefully this will lead to success! |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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I do have digital light and they works fine with the PoM. However i found out function decoder work better together with analog lighting. Simple just use Märklins current-conducting couples and connect with severals wagons. Works excellent this way with only one pick up shoe. Edited by user 27 December 2023 08:16:29(UTC)
| Reason: Changed some words |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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 Joined: 10/07/2002(UTC) Posts: 3,298 Location: Patagonia
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Originally Posted by: Eddie7979 Hi everyone,
Looking at the manual again, there is a mention to connect a load to AUX1. I’ll be exploring that tomorrow, hopefully this will lead to success! Yes, yes, yes, à load in aux1 is mandatory to program the strips. Regards |
 German trains era I-II and selected III, era depends on the mood, mostly Maerklin but i can be heretic if needed XD, heresy is no longer an issue.. LOL |
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Originally Posted by: franciscohg Originally Posted by: Eddie7979 Hi everyone,
Looking at the manual again, there is a mention to connect a load to AUX1. I’ll be exploring that tomorrow, hopefully this will lead to success! Yes, yes, yes, à load in aux1 is mandatory to program the strips. Regards This might be a stupid question but, how do I do this? I was thinking it was just connecting power to it but thinking the voltage would be too high. |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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 Joined: 07/01/2015(UTC) Posts: 730 Location: England, Suffolk
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if I recall correctly there are two pads on the circuit board where you have to solder a resistance, not present in the box, that 'simulates' a motor and in this way you can program the CVs
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 1 user liked this useful post by ocram63_uk
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: ocram63_uk if I recall correctly there are two pads on the circuit board where you have to solder a resistance, not present in the box, that 'simulates' a motor and in this way you can program the CVs
Why? You have PoM and i use CV adress without problem. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Hi all, I ended up figuring it out, with your help and an earlier post I ended finding after I wrote my post. As guide to anyone else out there struggling with this LED strip, what you need to do is add it to your Central Station 3 and input address 3 on DCC mode. After that, place it on the programming track to change the address and program it. Where I had issues was trying to read the decoder and just changing the address, which doesn’t work. What I did, I entered the desired address to CV 1 using the web interface of my CS3. Unfortunately (in my case), the CS 3 alone wouldn’t let me do it. I also changed the address to what I entered in the CV, then it all worked. While this was really cool I decided to use the analogue strips because I just couldn’t find a way to make it work with the current conducting couplers. I ended up burning out one of the decoders, so decided to go back to something more simple. Thank you all! Eddie Edited by user 02 March 2025 02:49:05(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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You don´t need to use programming track to change adress of the CV1.
ESU digital light are difference from locomotive decoder.
ESU 50708 CV1 adress works with PoM. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Originally Posted by: Goofy I do have digital light and they works fine with the PoM. However i found out function decoder work better together with analog lighting. Simple just use Märklins current-conducting couples and connect with severals wagons. Works excellent this way with only one pick up shoe. I am using the Viessmann current conducting couplers because I find they work well with the Roco coaches. I am curious to know how you have set it up the wiring. If you don’t mind sharing, I’d be keen to know. |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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I post here a picture of the draw connect with analog light and a function decoder. Remember...you cannot use digital light connect with other digital light together. That´s way you need one pick up shoe in every wagons where the digital light gets the power from. By the way...did you tested ESU digital light on the regular track by read decoder and change the adress in CV1?  |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 28/03/2007(UTC) Posts: 303 Location: Torino,
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Originally Posted by: Goofy
Remember...you cannot use digital light connect with other digital light together.
That´s way you need one pick up shoe in every wagons where the digital light gets the power from.
Why ?
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1 user liked this useful post by mario54i
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,480 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: mario54i Originally Posted by: Goofy
Remember...you cannot use digital light connect with other digital light together.
That´s way you need one pick up shoe in every wagons where the digital light gets the power from.
Why ? I have to ask the same question, after all, Marklin didn't need to in the King Wilhelm train set, they used one decoder for three wagons.
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1 user liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
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Joined: 10/07/2002(UTC) Posts: 3,298 Location: Patagonia
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you absolutely can.
I use 2 pole conducting couplers so in the rest of the cars i dont even use ground springs.
One pickup and one ground springs for the entire train with digital lights by ESU.
Regards |
German trains era I-II and selected III, era depends on the mood, mostly Maerklin but i can be heretic if needed XD, heresy is no longer an issue.. LOL |
2 users liked this useful post by franciscohg
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan Originally Posted by: mario54i Originally Posted by: Goofy
Remember...you cannot use digital light connect with other digital light together.
That´s way you need one pick up shoe in every wagons where the digital light gets the power from.
Why ? I have to ask the same question, after all, Marklin didn't need to in the King Wilhelm train set, they used one decoder for three wagons. They install analog lighting and used one decoder. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: franciscohg you absolutely can.
I use 2 pole conducting couplers so in the rest of the cars i dont even use ground springs.
One pickup and one ground springs for the entire train with digital lights by ESU.
Regards You use one same adress but if you released wagons from the wagon who has pick up shoe they loss power feeder. In fact when you change value or control digital output functions all the lighting react at the same time. Edited by user 28 December 2023 11:23:49(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 10/07/2002(UTC) Posts: 3,298 Location: Patagonia
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I do not use same adress. And the whole consist is meant to run together always. One is the Fleischmann Gambrinus FZug and the other is the Fleischmann alte Preussen.
They work just fine and with much lesser friction (and noise) than if i would be using one pickup shoe for each car.
Regards |
German trains era I-II and selected III, era depends on the mood, mostly Maerklin but i can be heretic if needed XD, heresy is no longer an issue.. LOL |
1 user liked this useful post by franciscohg
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: franciscohg I do not use same adress. And the whole consist is meant to run together always. One is the Fleischmann Gambrinus FZug and the other is the Fleischmann alte Preussen.
They work just fine and with much lesser friction (and noise) than if i would be using one pickup shoe for each car.
Regards I did tested same way and there was power feed to the next wagon. I did also tested with analog light as second wagon feed by the first digital light and there was no respons. I did draw another sketch which are your idea.   By the way...did TS fixed problem by change adress and read decoder in the CS3? |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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I did tested and found out that is a good way too by use digital light with only one pickup shoe and use as power feed to next wagons install with digital light.
And yes you can even use difference adress.
I did also use PoM by change the adress of the digital light.
Works perfect. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: mario54i Originally Posted by: Goofy
Remember...you cannot use digital light connect with other digital light together.
That´s way you need one pick up shoe in every wagons where the digital light gets the power from.
Why ? Sorry my fault...of course you can use digital light to next same. |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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I have problems with Märklin current couple so i did ordered Viessmann two pole current couples so hopefully this time will fix the problem.
I have no problem by use PoM to change ESU adress at CV1.
I wonder if TS did also fixed problems too?
Like to read DCC with CS3? |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 01/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 140 Location: Western Australia, Bassendean
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Originally Posted by: Goofy I have problems with Märklin current couple so i did ordered Viessmann two pole current couples so hopefully this time will fix the problem.
I have no problem by use PoM to change ESU adress at CV1.
I wonder if TS did also fixed problems too?
Like to read DCC with CS3? Hi, I totally forgot to reply, I was able to change the address in the end. I still have no idea how to wire it up with the current conducting couplers. I need to keep trying and work out a way. Regards, Eddie |
Eddie
Perth 🇦🇺
Marklin | Roco | Piko
CS3+ & iTrain |
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Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC) Posts: 2,976 Location: CA, USA
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Hello everyone, I was hoping for some help with an ESU 50708/09 strip, and thought I would post here:
Problem #1 I am having is that the 470uF capacitor I have connected does not seem to be working. This should be fool-proof, as the pads are labelled for (+) and (-), but it clearly isn't buffering. Any ideas on how to test the strip for this, or alternate connections? (the Capacitor itself is fine- I tested it individually)
Problem #2 I am having is for the Aux1 pads/connection. I am using these to control a relay, which in turn controls the Marklin current conducting couplers. The idea is that the first car has the decoder and "controls", via Aux1, the lighting to the rest of the coaches. The setup works quite well, however the "Aux1" pad is not buffered. (per the manual and my testing experience) Does anyone have an idea where I can slip a capacitor in to buffer the relay? Would placing one in line between the aux1 pads and the relay itself work? (the problem being this output is low voltage?)
Thanks in advance! |
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Joined: 28/03/2007(UTC) Posts: 303 Location: Torino,
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Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR the "Aux1" pad is not buffered. (per the manual and my testing experience) Does anyone have an idea where I can slip a capacitor in to buffer the relay? Would placing one in line between the aux1 pads and the relay itself work? (the problem being this output is low voltage?)
50708 manual says that AUX1 is a transistor output with a maximum current of 100 mA. Did you connect your relay towards U+ ? A capacitor in that position is useless.
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Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC) Posts: 2,976 Location: CA, USA
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Originally Posted by: mario54i Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR the "Aux1" pad is not buffered. (per the manual and my testing experience) Does anyone have an idea where I can slip a capacitor in to buffer the relay? Would placing one in line between the aux1 pads and the relay itself work? (the problem being this output is low voltage?)
50708 manual says that AUX1 is a transistor output with a maximum current of 100 mA. Did you connect your relay towards U+ ? A capacitor in that position is useless. Hi Mario, correct: The relay is connected to U+ and working, I am wondering if there is a way to buffer this that I am not sure of? Would placing a 5.5v "coin" capacitor between the U+ and the relay itself work well as a buffer for the relay? (like you say, the output is not buffered by the light strip as confirmed by the manual) |
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Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC) Posts: 2,976 Location: CA, USA
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An update for anyone following this thread: - ESU has confirmed that neither the capacitor pads nor the powerpack pads will buffer Aux1. - The Aux1 output is slightly lower than the track voltage, so I'm wondering if a 25v 470uF "normal cap, will work if placed "in line" to buffer the relay. (see diagram) I don't see why it wouldn't, but I am no electronics expert! Any thoughts before I try it this evening?  Edited by user 08 March 2025 05:45:57(UTC)
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1 user liked this useful post by 5HorizonsRR
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 Joined: 28/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Aachen
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To protect the AUX output from inrush current spikes you may want to add the known resistor / diode combination. |
Regards,
Rüdiger (Rudi)
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2 users liked this useful post by RudiC
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Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC) Posts: 2,976 Location: CA, USA
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Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR An update for anyone following this thread:
- ESU has confirmed that neither the capacitor pads nor the powerpack pads will buffer Aux1.
- The Aux1 output is slightly lower than the track voltage, so I'm wondering if a 25v 470uF "normal cap, will work if placed "in line" to buffer the relay. (see diagram)
I don't see why it wouldn't, but I am no electronics expert! Any thoughts before I try it this evening?
Update: the capacitor "in line" definitely did not work. Well, it might have worked but the cap overheated near immediately so I didn't want to push my luck! No idea why as electronics are not my forte. Can I buffer the track power going into the decoder as an alternate? (if that is even possible, it is the same concept as what overheated above...) One possibility for the failure: the board has a "UB" and an "F1" pad to solder to. I assumed UB was the "-" for the capacitor, but might it be the other way around? |
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Joined: 28/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Aachen
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The "track power" (= slider / pickup shoe) contains the digital information to control the loco and its functions. Buffering it may result in uselessness.
Please show the circuit that made the cap heat up. Mayhap it is / was defective, as direct current should not flow through it? Try another one. |
Regards,
Rüdiger (Rudi)
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 Joined: 11/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 217 Location: Aruba (general), Oranjestad
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Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR
......
One possibility for the failure: the board has a "UB" and an "F1" pad to solder to. I assumed UB was the "-" for the capacitor, but might it be the other way around?
Yes, the polarity of your cap was wrongly connected, UB is the "+" Regards Jean-Pierre
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1 user liked this useful post by cintrans
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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I did tested in both two rail and Märklin tracks. Also depends type of the passenger cars pick up power via wheels or Märklin pick up shoe. ESU and Brawa do have metal pick up inside of the wagon bogie while Trix don´t have it. To use Trix/Märklin wagons in two rail system you need copper contact fitted under the isolated wheels. It is incredible difference and in fact does ESU and Brawa do have double more wheels contact on the rail than Trix/Märklin wagons converted to two rail. So to install power cap in the ESU lighting are recommended if you use Trix/Märklin wagons.  |
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DCC = Digital Command Control
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Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC) Posts: 2,976 Location: CA, USA
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Hi everyone,
One blown decoder later (UB is indeed + ....) I have wrapped up the installation. Everything works, but I'm not happy with the power interruption to the relay. On one hand, the capacitors keep the car lights on. On the other, the relay is constantly having to reset over even minor power interruptions. I have a 330uf cap on there (all I had on hand) but need to find a larger, compact design that might fit in the coach's toilet compartment...
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1 user liked this useful post by 5HorizonsRR
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