SMD LED's for loco and car lighting

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Anyone have a source for bright white or warm white SMD 603 LEDs? I don’t know if they come in different brilliances, but likely super-bright would be best for most things (could always tune it down by using a larger resistance).They would make great parts for ditch lights, # boards, caboose side markers, etc. rather than just using the 3mm standard LEDs. I have a Digikey catalog but really have a hard time finding things in it because they seem to go by THEIR part #'s and descriptions which aren’t very descriptive, to me, anyway…

Also, there seems to be some PCB’s out there with 6 of these on them that are being used by vendors for passenger car lighting. They “look” like they would be just 6 603’s in a row. At about $20/car, I would think they would be cheaper from a supplier than from say Walthers. Any other source for them?

Unexpectedly, a search of this forum didn’t turn up anything.

Thanks. Ken

2

I just got them from these people recently.Mine came with thin wires soldered on them.

http://www.richmondcontrols.com/WhiteLED.html

3

have you checked at jameco.com eletronics supply

brakeman321

4

A couple of possibilities other than the ones already mentioned:

http://www.superbrightleds.com

http://www.moreleds.com

http://c-leds.com

5

0603 footprint isn’t a nice size to handle without a reflow machine.
consider the 1.8mm kingbright wired LEDs instead :wink:

http://www.kingbright.com/product_main_1.php?level=20050527102124&lang=Korean

6

Richmond controls that Hamltnblu linked to has 603 LED’s available with lead wires pre-soldered to them. I just attended a clinic by them at the Houston train show… Amazing!

7

Thank you hamltnblue, brakeman321, cacole, tricky trev and ds137 for the responses.

tricky trev, I couldn’t find the SMDs you noted. I can’t believe the100’s of different LEDs and SMDs they have. BTW, is there a pricing schedule someplace? Couldn’t find that either.

Thanks again, all.

Ken

8

the 1.8mm LEDs aren’t SMD, but have almost the same footprint as 0603 and has wire leads.

As i’m based in switzerland, www.distrelec.ch is where i get mine. Farnell, radio shack, RS components, digikey should also supply Kingbright LEDs.

9

For all your electronic needs, including LED’s, try:

Digikey – A large electronics distributor with seemingly everything

Mouser Electronics – Ditto above

Jameco Electronics – Typically more expensive but they have a lot of stuff for hobbyists)

All Electronics – They have a lot of surplus and unusual items

John

10

I’ve had good luck with TrainsAidsa for SMD and lighting strips. Inexpensive, good quality, good service (they are also on e-Bay).
Alan