I just finished breaking in three Athearn AMD-103 Amtrak locos which I purchased some time ago, and found the headlights are, in my opinion, crap. By that I mean they are either too dim to see, or only visible on the left lens or the right lens, or not at all. I am talking about Athearn 9617 (Amtk#163), Athearn 9670 (Amtk#204) and Athearn 9669 (Amtk#134).
I know that opening them up and adjusting or replacing components may improve it, but wonder if recent Athearn production AMD’s are any better, especially at the higher prices now being asked?
Hoping someone with a new AMD-103 can report a better result. Thanks.
How are your locos set up? I have the Phase V models with no 10 and 55 respectively. Mine have the individual 1.5 volt bulbs per lens opening. I am considering replacing these with LEDs and fiber optics.
If these are older Athearn locomotives, they may still have the older 12v bulbs in them, that lit up the whole cab as well as the exterior lights. I’ve replaced the bulbs in all of mine with a constant voltage circuit and 1.5v bulbs.
I’m with Medina on this one. Replace the existing bulbs (LED’s) with some miniatronics 1.5 volt bulbs. You’ll also need to install a couple of resistors (400-500 ohm) in series if the original bulb source is 12 volts. if the original light source are LED’s and are 1.5 volt then all you need to install is the bulbs without the resistors…chuck