Here is a link to the page I wrote on HOW TO PUT A MARS LIGHT IN A KATO F7. Please let me know what you think. http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/n_scale_mars_light_installatio.html Mike
Very cool Mike. I too need to add Mars lights to my F3s and F7s. Would you mind posting a short video of the effect. I'd love to compare how Digitrax implements this versus Richmond Controls (whom I believe has a very nice Mars effect).
I have been using Richmond Control's light boards for my DC lighting FX for over 10 years. Different outputs give you either Mars or Gyralight along with constant light or a beacon if you want that. Jim recently switched over to using tiny golden white LEDs instead of the old mini incandescent bulbs. The LEDs give a consistent light output and last virtually for ever.
Mars Corporation (based here in Chicago) made these light units. I know them most closely from the fire service where the Mars 888 (said "eight-eighty-eight) light is very common even today. It essentially uses a single light and lens mounted on separate x and y axis arms that basically move the light in a figure eight pattern. The DCC version is simulating this effect with a fairly quick rise and fall of light output that fairly closely emulates the look of the figure 8 pattern from a distance. Jim at Richmond controls looks the best though as his is very smooth in its effect. I just got done modding my F3 CB&Q unit and if I get a chance to capture some video of the Mars effect, I'll post it up. -jamie
Here is are links to clips of the Mars Light with a white LED installed. Mars Light Clip Mike [ February 16, 2006, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: fifer ]
