I bought an Atlas signal recently, I have no intention of installing a comprehensive signalling system anytime soon, but am working on a scene in which I wanted a siganl more for scenery than any other reason. I thought I'd use the Atlas one as it would be possible to use it as part of an integrated system later.
All I wanted for now was to be able to turn a red or green light on for photography purposes. The Atlas signal comes with the four leads (one each for red, yellow, green and a common) terminated in a connector, made to fit their pcb. I did not buy the pcb, no need to spend that cash, I figured I'd wire it to a switch and change it manually for now. So I clipped the wires before the connectors, saved them for future reinstallment, solderd on extended leads and applied power, from a AA battery. The 1 1/2 volts did nothing. So I tried two batteries, 3 volts. The green is great, nice and bright. The amber is dim. The red, unfortunately, lit for an instant and is dead. I don't remember if I had tried the red on 1 1/2 volts, or just one of the others.
It seems odd to me, but is it possible that Atlas provides different voltages to the leds? Per the instructions, the power supply to their pcb should be between 6 and 22 volts. Of course there is no schematic, as I'm sure Atlas just wants you to buy their components.
My signal is now useless, I can't see changing the led. I must say the signal is gorgeous. The signal head with the three leds is molded with the leads coming out of the head and into the pole I'm pretty sure I would destroy the head attempting to replace the led.
BTW, the leads I cut were in red, green, yellow and black, and yes they worked for the led of that color. But the 4 wires are larger than the wires that go up the pole, they are soldered to what appears to be varnished wire of small size where they enter the bottom of the signal. When I cut back the shrink tube I initially thought I had accidently stripped the wires but I suppose they used the varnished wire to reduce the diameter.
Just thought I'd mention my problem in case anyone else is tempted to do the same.
All I wanted for now was to be able to turn a red or green light on for photography purposes. The Atlas signal comes with the four leads (one each for red, yellow, green and a common) terminated in a connector, made to fit their pcb. I did not buy the pcb, no need to spend that cash, I figured I'd wire it to a switch and change it manually for now. So I clipped the wires before the connectors, saved them for future reinstallment, solderd on extended leads and applied power, from a AA battery. The 1 1/2 volts did nothing. So I tried two batteries, 3 volts. The green is great, nice and bright. The amber is dim. The red, unfortunately, lit for an instant and is dead. I don't remember if I had tried the red on 1 1/2 volts, or just one of the others.
It seems odd to me, but is it possible that Atlas provides different voltages to the leds? Per the instructions, the power supply to their pcb should be between 6 and 22 volts. Of course there is no schematic, as I'm sure Atlas just wants you to buy their components.
My signal is now useless, I can't see changing the led. I must say the signal is gorgeous. The signal head with the three leds is molded with the leads coming out of the head and into the pole I'm pretty sure I would destroy the head attempting to replace the led.
BTW, the leads I cut were in red, green, yellow and black, and yes they worked for the led of that color. But the 4 wires are larger than the wires that go up the pole, they are soldered to what appears to be varnished wire of small size where they enter the bottom of the signal. When I cut back the shrink tube I initially thought I had accidently stripped the wires but I suppose they used the varnished wire to reduce the diameter.
Just thought I'd mention my problem in case anyone else is tempted to do the same.