LED headlights for Soundtraxx DSD decoders.

One of my preferences has been to fit LEDs for a better headlight effect – no varying brilliance problems and a better colour. The problem with fitting LEDs to DSD equipped locos that the selected OFF headlight always flashes. This is mentioned in the Soundtraxx manual, but I choose to ignore it for a better headlight.

At Tony’s Train Exchange, there is a method to correct this inconsistent operation. I have fitted these extra resistors and capacitors to some of my LED headlights – still working on the others – no time. The results are great. The LEDs operate as they should, the rear headlight does not flash on and off while the front headlight is selected on.

The extra 1,000 ohm resistor and the ceramic 0.1 uF capacitor connected in parallel across the LED. Both front and rear LED components added to a piece of Vero board to simplify installation complete with the 1,000 ohm voltage limiting resistor for each LED. The yellow decoder is a Soundtraxx DSD-100LC and the white box is the speaker enclosure made out of business card for the smallest rectangular Soundtraxx speaker. These extra components could be located anywhere but since I had a little space I used the Vero board.