loco headlight shorted out...

[lmackattack]

i just picked up a new ic P2K "uboat" loco (dcc ready) also got a DT plug and play DCC decoder.

installed the decoder put elec tape around it for safty. before i put the shell on i did a test run.. forward back etc... all ok. then i turned the lite on and snap... the lite blew upand shot the top part of the bulb or led across the room

missed something? is this my fault?

 

[jbaakko]

You should never FULLY wrap a decoder in tape. It can (and will) over heat.

I'm not sure as to if that can cause the bulb to blow, but my thought is you had a 1.5v bulb.

 

[UP2CSX]

Which model of "uboat" exactly do you have? Which model of decoder? Most of the P2K locomotives use a 1.5 volt LED. If your decoder was putting out 12 to 14 volts to the LED, it will surely burn out although having one blow up and shoot parts across the room is kind of unusual. It's important to know exactly what voltage your headlights are before installing the decoder. Some decoders can be set with a jumper or CV value to output a certain voltage to the headlight and others output a fixed voltage. Either your decoder is fixed to output a voltage much higher than 1.5 volts or you didn't set the correct jumper or CV before applying power to the headlight.

 

[lmackattack]

hello

its a P2K U-30 and the decoder is digi trak (cant remeber what number)

and yes i dont think parts should fly LOL
i think the light was a LED? can i simply replace with a new led and change the voltage?

 

[UP2CSX]

Yes, you should be able to replace it with a new LED. Just make sure you have the right headlight voltage set on your decoder this time.

 

[lmackattack]

thanks for the tips.. so can say its a small problem or just another learning experince?