8
8. Caboose lights on.
9
9. The basic power block installed in the caboose.
Battery-powered models - 5
power by itself for a multi-hour operating session, operation
on powered track, even incredibly dirty power track, allows for
recharging on the fly, and for smooth, continuous power. It’s
like a Keep-Alive module on steroids – hence, KAOS power.
Caboose lighting details
Using the KAOS module just described provides an uninter-
ruptable power source which can be used to light car interi-
ors with no light flickering at all – unless you really want to
make them flicker! The caboose pictured was my first test. It
uses four LEDs, all lit with KAOS power. Figure [9] shows the
basic power block installed in a caboose. Note the first use
of the silver-finned, heatsinked regulator on the left. Figure
[10] has the later version using the 78ST105HC to avoid a
caboose meltdown.
Two of the LEDs are powered through a 270 ohm 1/8 watt
resistor. Dropping resistor values are lower than you might
be used to, as the LED power is from 5 volts, not 12 volts. The
10
10. Caboose using the upgraded basic power block.
MRH-Nov 2014
