I got no response over on the Layout forum so I guess I post it here. Can anyone tell me what size incandescent bulb should go into an HO SD45 for the headlight and mars/ditch lighting? Would it be grain 'o wheat or larger? Thanks.
Tom
I would recommend Miniatronics micro grain-o-wheat bulbs, because they can go anywhere - even in ditch lights, and they’re easy to conceal so the light doesn’t leak into the cab. I prefer the 1.2mm. They’re 1.5V apiece, so they need to be fed by a constant lighting circuit or resistor. http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/
Is there any reason you’re going with incandescent instead of LED? Personally, I think the incandescent look more natural than the “natural” LED’s.
Nelson,
I’m asking this for a friend of mine in my MRR club. He just purchased a brass Overland SD45 and is having it painted. He asked me what size bulbs ought to go in it. I told him that I think if would be grain 'o wheat but that I’d double-check.
For headlights, I personally like LEDs. And since I model the steam and early diesel, I don’t have to concern myself with fancy lighting. However, I know that on newer prototype locomotives, some of the grain 'o wheat bulbs are small enough to be used for the gyro/mars/ditch lights and work better in that situation than LEDs.
It seems I remember that Joe Fugate prefers incandescent for the gyro lights on his locomotives. I’m basically trying to gather information to get back to my friend. Thanks again for the input.
Tom
I’ve mostly put them in steam. It’s hard to find an LED small enough for some applications, and these incandescent bulbs were the perfect solution for the oil lamp on an 1890’s loco of mine. They throw a surprsing amount of light. Good luck with the project.
Nelson,
I agree with you on the LEDs for headlights. I have a couple of locomotives that will light up the back wall of my basement.
Tom