So here’s where I’m at: I have a couple of Digitrax DH123D decoders that I plan to install in two HO scale Athearn BB AC4400s. I want to install one LED for each light (front/rear) in each loco. What is the most plain English way of doing this? All I need to know is what to buy and where to attach it. Simple diagrams are great!
FWIW I tried searching but either used the wrong terms or couldn’t find what I thought I was looking for.
A while back someone asked the same question and somebody gave this as one of answers: http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/install-leds-decoders.htm. Pretty helpful info there.
The wires you need to use are the Blue/White and Yellow ones.
Install a resistor (typically 570ohms) on the white and yellow leads.
Connect a wire from the LONG leads of the LEDs to the blue wire.
Connect a wire from the short lead of the front led to the white wire.
Connect a wire from the short lead of the rear led to the yellow wire.
David B
What I was looking for…thanks.
What would be a good LED to use? My local retailer didn’t know which would be best…any ideas?
The best LED?
Well not sure of the size since I don’t have any AC44’s but you’ll probably want to get “sunny” white LEDS. If you can, avoid white LEDs for headlights. White LEDS have too much blue tint and rarely look like real headlights. Some tint/paint their LEDs to get rid of the blue color. I can see why some people tint since “sunny” or “golden” white LEDs cost a lot compared to plain old white.
You might remeber some very early LED equipped HO locomotives having a very stark blue tint. Some years latter, to combat the too much blue tint, manufactures used yellow LEDs. It’s only been the last few years where incandecent like LEDs have hit the market. I assume as the years progress we’ll be seeing HO locomotives with sunny or golden LEDs already installed.
Dan,
Tom
Keep in mind that you can adjust the color on ANY LED by simply painting the bulb, then mix the LED color with the color you have painted on by scraping away the paint. So, for a sunny white look, you can paint the LED yellow, wait for it to dry (about 2 minutes with water based paints), then scrape away a bit of the paint on the tip. You can then adjust the light to fit what you want. Much easier than hunting for that perfect LED color.
David B
So something like this?
eBay Item
Or will this work with too?
They ePay link didn’t work, but the TCS link did. That looks like a good all-in-one kit.
Rotor
For some reason the eBay link would not open for me. But the TCS is a nice kit.
Take a look at the link below. It shows the color differences between “Golden” and “Sunny”. With modern AC4400s I’d personally go with Sunny. They look more like modern headlights. Golden are great for F units, Steam locos, or really any thing of the “Golden” era of railroading. Sorry for that bad pun [(-D]
That looks even “mo better”!
Bad pun noted, and laughed at! [:D]
Rotor
I do like that “sunny LED” color better. I’ll be ordering from them (TCS) hopefully soon. Thanks for the awesome suggestion! I will be sure to let you all know how it goes.