athearn lighting kits

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’d like to drop some athearn lighting kits into my heavyweights - do they work on DCC just the same as DC?

2

anyone? I see there’s “DCC” and “DC” versions for waltehrs cars and Rapido cars, too, so I imagine that answers my question. Do the Walthers kits work for Athearn cars?

3

The Athearn light kits are very basic, just some wires, bulbs and pickups. Part number 90201, $4.50

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Parts/Default.aspx

Personally, I do not think they are worth even that low price. I have been very pleased with Miniatronics lighting kits. They cost more, but are much better. Part number 100-YCL-01 for yeloglow LEDs simulating incandescent lights.

http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100-YCL-01&Category_Code=&Product_Count=5

In Walthers
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/475-100YCL01

This is another discussion of lighting where I talk about these lights and show pictures
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/166663/1832390.aspx#1832390

4

The Athearn kits will work on either DC or DCC. They are, however, very crude. Basically a pick-up for each truck, one bulb that get sandwiched between the weights, and some copper strips to complete the circuit between the weights and truck pick-ups.

I got several cheap. The only part I used was the pick-ups and there are cheaper ways to get them.

Nick

5

I decided to dip my toe into this pool by trying one of the miniatronics caboose lighting kits … I’ll posta pic if I can get it to work. :slight_smile: