Control panel LED’s

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am starting track laying on my new layout. It is DCC with the turnouts controlled via stationary decoders and Tortoise switch machines through the throttles and with local control panels. My problem is what type of LED’s to use to show turnout position. The local Radio Shacks do not stock many and looking at internet suppliers, the different types are bewildering. What case or type would work best in 1/8" Masonite? Sometime in the future, I hope to add detection and install LED’s to show block occupancy. My problem is what style or type to use. Thanks for any help. Richard

2

Here’s how I built my control panels.

http://www.thebinks.com/trains/control_panels.html

I use 1/8" hardboard/masonite. The LEDs were ordered from Digikey Electronics. I use 67-1044-ND plastic LED mounting rings, with a 1/4" drilled hole. For green LEDs I use MV5453-ND 5"mm and for red LEDs MV5753-ND 5mm . I use a drop of CA to hold the LEDs in the mounting rings.

3

I use the Tortise and Radio Shack Green/Red LEDs part 276-012. That LED is 5mm with a clear lens and two leads. They are wired per figure 4 in the Tortise instruction sheet using +12/-12 volt Bi-Polar DC and SPDT switches as in figure 2 of the Tortise instructions…

I use a LED at the console panel (1/8" plywood) and another LED at the switch to indicate switch position.

4

I use 3-lead dual-color LEDs I got from Demar Electronics, an online supplier. If you power one side, you get red, and if you power the other side you get green. You can even power both sides and get a muddy yellow. In bulk, these things cost like a quarter each, as I recall. I also use these for turnout-position indicators in signal heads on the layout.

5

If you are looking for bulk LEDs, The best place I have found so far is an ebay seller called besthongkong. I usually get them 100 at a time with resistors included. After shipping it comes to about $11. Shipping usually takes a while but the price is right. Now this deal would be for regular white LEDs, but you can buy bottles of red and green (or whatever color) transparent pait to dip them in. I think the paint is from Tamiya, dont remember for sure though, I get it at my LHS for about $3 a bottle.

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Thanks for the replys. Richard