One of my upcoming LokSound conversions for my own fleet is going to be Kato's SD-45 SP #8613 (really a converted SD-45 into an SD40M-2). The Kato model has the proper headlight arrangement, but is missing the ditch lights (ok, and the horn is in the wrong place) As an example, here is a 12-year old view of the loco: I figure to use 0402 SMD LEDs (just running the magnet wires across the deck plate and under the nose, but am stymied on what to use as a casing / mounting for them. Any ideas from our creative folks?
Rick, would white metal ditch light castings work for you? If so, I can send you some. I've also seen a post where someone made a very small slice of brass tubing to hold the LED and then mounted it on a flat piece of material (can't remember if it was metal or plastic) as the back.
I used ditchlight housings off Shapeways on my SD45s. Same style as what you want and no risk of shorting out.
I’ll get pics tonight. I haven’t had the courage to run bulbs to them yet. I didn’t want wires running over the deck, and running under opens another can of worms.
I started playing with the Sunrise ditch light housing, which is cast white metal (courtesy of @Ryan Wilkerson ). As can be seen in the photo, these do not have any hole through them. From the front, I used a #63 bit to drill through the housing, and then from the back, I "counter sunk" the opening using a 3/64" bit (just held between thumb and forefinger) to give a bit of extra room for the 0402 LED to fit. After painting the housing, I cut it to size, then carefully mounted the LED (warm white) on the back, using a small amount of CA around the counter-sunk rim. Once dried, I applied a coating of Bondic to hold everything in place and provide strain relief for the magnet wires. I then painted over the Bondic, to provide a light block to the rear of the housing. I then put a bit of Aileen's Clear Gel Tacky Glue into the housing to act as a lens. I should also be receiving some of the Shapeways housings today or tomorrow.
I went ahead and mounted these two on my SD45 shell The hardest part was getting the light on the right (of the photo) seated, as the MU hatch cover sticks out a bit. A little filing of the excess plastic was all that was needed. I thought about adding red marker lights into those nubs on the shell, but as seen at the top of thread, the prototype doesn't have them. Using 38 awg magnet wire, the wires crossing the front platform and under the lip of the hood are barely noticeable Oh yeah, and they work, too! Unfortunately, for me, have to wait a few more days before my next batch of LokSound Select Micros arrive for this install
When I wired my GP-60 for ditch lights, the magnet wire is so small that I drilled a hole under the mounting brackets and ran the wire underneath the shell. Worked like a charm!
