Thanks for taking the time to comment. I have plans to record a more in-depth tutorial on a different solutions for directional lighting. I have the parts and everything - I just need to find the time to do it. Thanks for the sub!
Great follow up! I was just going to start researching how to add directional lights to my 4-6-0 #49. It has a single on/off switch & someone added a red christmas tree light in the coal box to give it a "hot" look. I just ordered some 3v LED lights to use as replacements. I'd love to hear about your ideas on that topic. I'm also investigating 5v power for a Raspberry Pi Zero to add more functions to the model.
Chris - thank you for taking the time to comment. LEDs are quite a bit different than old-fashion incandescent lights. Two keys - the LED needs a certain voltage before it will emit decent light (3V for example), but an LED also needs to have its current limited (somewhere in the 10mA to 20mA range). The simple method is to add a resistor in series to 'drop' the rest of the power supply voltage and to limit the current. The problem with trains (using simple variable DC power supplies) is that the voltage varies so much. IF the supply voltage was fixed at 12V, then a 1K resistor would drop 9V and limit the current to 9mA (I=V/R = 9/1,000 = .009A or 9mA). The question is, what about when the loco is going slow? You could decrease the reactance to 500 or 400 Ohms. I'll need to experiment with this. I'll try and follow-up with another video in a couple of weeks or so. Thanks again!
@@kevintaberski4249 Here is the circuit I ended up building: www.circuitlab.com/editor/#?id=snu39u7hm34b I started with the forward light and that is working. I will build a second for the reverse. Thanks again for the videos.
@@ChrisTuck I would be interested to see how this circuit responds to varying track voltage. Generally, LEDs are driven using constant current rather than a fixed voltage, but what ever works! Thanks for the reply.
Thanks for the very informative video. You were very clear and concise. It looks as though you and I have several similar interests, model trains and RVs, so I subscribed. My model trains range in size from HOn30 all the up to the Bachmann Big Hauler with several sizes in between. Looking forward to future videos.
Roger - thank you for the kind words and the sub! I've dabbled on-and-off with 'model' railroading - I had actually started to build an HOn3 layout ~30 years ago, then family and life took priority. In the meantime, I had the opportunity to work on the real-thing - volunteering my time on the Georgetown Loop Railway here in Colorado. I have designs on getting back into model building, just not sure I'll build a layout. Thanks again!
Hi! Greetings from mexico! I was wondering how did you pulled out the bulb from its casing? I have the big hauler "Wonderland Flyer" set from bachmann, beautiful engine, but the searchlight its very dim and i want to replace it, however i dont seem to find how to remove it from its casing without damaging it 🙈
Carlos - Greetings to you from Colorado. I'm surprised your locomotive is giving you trouble. On mine, I just need to pull the headlamp assembly straight-up to remove it. There, the bulb itself is 'perched' at the top of a plastic tube. The bulb it larger in diameter than the tube, but it has a slit cut over its length that allows the wires to pass. IF you are attempting to pull the bulb through this tube without first removing the lamp assembly, I can see how that would not work. I hope this helps! Thank you for your question and Good Luck!
Back when I did this - white LEDs were not developed yet and I received a question of how I did this. Plus, the grain-o-wheat bulb gives a nicer and more consistent 'glow' even before the locomotive moves.
wow I just landed on this channel. Was honeslty shocked to see so little subs. These videos are facinating and very professional! Glad to see more!
Charles - thank you for the kind feedback!
Awesome follow up video..
Lots of great info...
I definitely like 👍 and subscribe..
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I have plans to record a more in-depth tutorial on a different solutions for directional lighting. I have the parts and everything - I just need to find the time to do it. Thanks for the sub!
Great follow up! I was just going to start researching how to add directional lights to my 4-6-0 #49. It has a single on/off switch & someone added a red christmas tree light in the coal box to give it a "hot" look. I just ordered some 3v LED lights to use as replacements. I'd love to hear about your ideas on that topic. I'm also investigating 5v power for a Raspberry Pi Zero to add more functions to the model.
A little bit of investigation suggests adding a 1K Resistor just before each of the LEDs should do it.
Chris - thank you for taking the time to comment. LEDs are quite a bit different than old-fashion incandescent lights. Two keys - the LED needs a certain voltage before it will emit decent light (3V for example), but an LED also needs to have its current limited (somewhere in the 10mA to 20mA range). The simple method is to add a resistor in series to 'drop' the rest of the power supply voltage and to limit the current. The problem with trains (using simple variable DC power supplies) is that the voltage varies so much. IF the supply voltage was fixed at 12V, then a 1K resistor would drop 9V and limit the current to 9mA (I=V/R = 9/1,000 = .009A or 9mA). The question is, what about when the loco is going slow? You could decrease the reactance to 500 or 400 Ohms. I'll need to experiment with this. I'll try and follow-up with another video in a couple of weeks or so. Thanks again!
@@kevintaberski4249 Here is the circuit I ended up building: www.circuitlab.com/editor/#?id=snu39u7hm34b I started with the forward light and that is working. I will build a second for the reverse. Thanks again for the videos.
@@ChrisTuck I would be interested to see how this circuit responds to varying track voltage. Generally, LEDs are driven using constant current rather than a fixed voltage, but what ever works! Thanks for the reply.
Thanks for the very informative video. You were very clear and concise. It looks as though you and I have several similar interests, model trains and RVs, so I subscribed. My model trains range in size from HOn30 all the up to the Bachmann Big Hauler with several sizes in between. Looking forward to future videos.
Roger - thank you for the kind words and the sub! I've dabbled on-and-off with 'model' railroading - I had actually started to build an HOn3 layout ~30 years ago, then family and life took priority. In the meantime, I had the opportunity to work on the real-thing - volunteering my time on the Georgetown Loop Railway here in Colorado. I have designs on getting back into model building, just not sure I'll build a layout. Thanks again!
Hi! Greetings from mexico! I was wondering how did you pulled out the bulb from its casing? I have the big hauler "Wonderland Flyer" set from bachmann, beautiful engine, but the searchlight its very dim and i want to replace it, however i dont seem to find how to remove it from its casing without damaging it 🙈
Carlos - Greetings to you from Colorado. I'm surprised your locomotive is giving you trouble. On mine, I just need to pull the headlamp assembly straight-up to remove it. There, the bulb itself is 'perched' at the top of a plastic tube. The bulb it larger in diameter than the tube, but it has a slit cut over its length that allows the wires to pass. IF you are attempting to pull the bulb through this tube without first removing the lamp assembly, I can see how that would not work. I hope this helps! Thank you for your question and Good Luck!
@@kevintaberski4249 Thanks! I didn't notice the plastic tube, i'll definitely check that out thanks for the help!
@@Carliv_Sot You're welcome! If this still doesn't make sense - let me know.
LEDs are Diodes. Replace your diodes in the array with LEDs and replace your bulbs with a resistor equal to the old grain of wheat bulb. Done.
Back when I did this - white LEDs were not developed yet and I received a question of how I did this. Plus, the grain-o-wheat bulb gives a nicer and more consistent 'glow' even before the locomotive moves.