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Top News
- Aug 19, 2019 The New GCS 30" Arch Bridge for Slot Car New for Fall 2019, the AR30SC bridge takes your slot car layout to new levels of realism.
- Jul 10, 2019 The New 2019 Triple Arch GCS introduces the incredible AR60 60" arch bridge for use with the AR Piers System.
- Jul 1, 2019 The AR Pier System The new 2019 AR Pier System for N & HO scale, allows our new 15" and 30" AR Series bridges to be seamlessly interconnected and elevated.
- Aug 1, 2018 The New N Scale 15" Arch GCS is pleased to announce our newly released N Scale arch bridge kit for Fall 2018.
- Mar 14, 2018 New RGB Multicolor LED Lighting for 2018 Use our new RGB multicolor LEDs to create almost unlimited color variations.
- Mar 1, 2018 New Lighting Installation Guide GCS has a newly designed LED Lighting Installation Guide. This guide covers all of our lighting configurations with an included wiring diagram for each configuration.
- Feb 10, 2018 GCS Products Now Available thru MB Klein and its Retail Network GCS is proud to announce our products are now available thru MB Klein, Model Train Stuff and their Retail Network.
The Light Emitting Diode, Voltage & Circuits
Jan 27, 2017
Light emitting diodes come in many sizes and colors, and voltage requirements vary. The LEDs GCS uses range from 2 volts to 3.5 volts. By adding the voltage of each LED used together in a circuit, you can determine the amount of volts needed from the power supply.
When LEDs are daisy-chained together, it's said to be a Series Circuit. This circuit is efficient, in that it lights each LED at full brightness, provided the combined voltage of your LEDs don't exceed the output voltage of the power supply; in which case the LEDs will not light. The wiring is also very simple. The drawback is that when an LED burns out, or if there is bad solder joint - the circuit is broken. Still, it is the best method to light projects using LEDs as they light evenly, seldom burn out, and trouble shooting the circuit is relatively easy.
When LEDs are daisy-chained together, it's said to be a Series Circuit. This circuit is efficient, in that it lights each LED at full brightness, provided the combined voltage of your LEDs don't exceed the output voltage of the power supply; in which case the LEDs will not light. The wiring is also very simple. The drawback is that when an LED burns out, or if there is bad solder joint - the circuit is broken. Still, it is the best method to light projects using LEDs as they light evenly, seldom burn out, and trouble shooting the circuit is relatively easy.
GCS lighting kits utilize the series circuit almost exclusively.
The Parallel Circuit allows you to connect all positive leads together and all negative leads together. If a circuit connected to an LED is broke or if an LED burns out, the others continue to light. The drawback is that the combined LEDs pull-down the voltage resulting in brightness drop. This might be a good thing if you want your lighting to be a lower brightness but you might find that connecting our lighting controller is a better solution.
Note: Remember, always place a resistor in front of all LED circuits.
See FAQ for more on LED lighting
GCS produces LED lighting kits for multi-purpose use, ideal for any hobby project.