P 2 K, bulbs to leds ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Its funny How I find things here then in a few months cant remember the topic’s title, looking to change out a couple of P2K’S to leds.

2

jwar,

Are your locomotives DC or DCC? If DCC, which decoder(s) do you have installed in them?

Tom

3

Hi Tom…I am using Digatrac dcc and have not installed the decorder yet. Thinking of using TRS brand decorder mod T1, and hope to install the leds ( I hope LOL) in a PK2 Gp 9. I mistakinly bought the T1 for an Intermountain F3, however with the four head lights I find I need the DP5X. I will try to tackle the mars light in the F3, if I ever get these two GP 7s done. Anyhow Tom …I am getting conflicting info about the the resistor value’s?. A BIG thank you in advance for any info “if you can enlighten this ole dimm man” with.LOL…John

4

John,

I have a Proto 2000 GP38-2 that I installed a Digitrax DH163L0 decoder in. With that particular decoder, I switched out the incandescent headlights for LEDs and I think I ended up using 330 ohm resistors for those.

If you go to the TCS web site, I believe they have a chart that will tell you which resistor value to use with which decoder. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find it for some reason.

Tom

5

Thanks Tom…I went to TRS and they do have a light kit, 2 gold white leds and 2 680 OHM resistors under $5. I guess my next step is to get my old Simpson voltmeter out and measure the exact track voltage and start from there to find the actual resistor value. Tom my second question…would it be prudent, to err or add a percentage to the resisors value account of spiking ect for a bit of added protection. Thanks… John