I’m trying to install both forward and rear headlights in an Athearn SW1500. The bulbs I have generate too much heat and it started to melt the plastic body shell. I just electric taped the 12V Miniatronics bulbs in place centered over the headlight opening. Any Ideas on how to reduce the heat generated or for something to use as a heatsink?
Try white LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs. LEDs generate very little heat, and can be fastened in place with a clear silicon product called Goop. Since your subject line indicates that you are installing a decoder, what you will need are two LEDs and a 720 Ohm 1/4 Watt current-limiting resistor. LEDs are polarized, but you can tell which lead is which by looking at them – the longer lead is positive, and the shorter one is negative. Connect the white decoder wire to the headlight’s long LED lead, and the yellow wire to the rear LED’s long lead. Connect the short leads of both LEDs to the blue decoder wire through the resistor. If your decoder is programmed properly, this will give you directional lighting.
What’s a good source for LEDs? I’m converting to DCC and have a bunch of locos to convert that have a single light source. I’d love to convert them to directional lighting. I see recommended part numbers in the documentation for the various brands of decoders, but haven’t a clue where to get them (and none of them mention Rat Shack model numbers).
A good source for LEDs and resistors is All Electronics, a surplus outlet in Van Nuys, California. Their Web site is at http://www.allcorp.com
Thanks! I’ll check them out.