Copied-WW Has anyone modified the lighting for a Kato SD40-2? I'm trying to model several Canadian units, where the lights are located on the nose. I'd appreciate any input from someone who has changed the lighting system on these units. Thanks. [ March 28, 2006, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: watash ]
If you are referring to the problem that the lights have a blue tint you can fix that by putting a thin coat of yellow paint over them. ------------------ marshall
I have done this in N scale by using fibre-optics. In HO you may have space to move the led, and connect with wires to the original mounting point. A new headlight casting would be needed, I guess with new lenses. I would make the lenses with fibre optic. What do you HO guys do? ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
<font color="336633">until now i have always used 1.5v micro bulbs in the headlights with 6 diodes to give constant directonal lighting,but as im now going dcc i will have to change all these for 12v bulbs.... </font> ------------------ Matthew wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery
Has anyone seen the heat a 12v bulb generates? I'm scared to put one near a Cannon cab... Anybody have anything else on this?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tunnel88: Has anyone seen the heat a 12v bulb generates? I'm scared to put one near a Cannon cab... Anybody have anything else on this? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <font color="336633">Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! i didnt think of that i supose i could use 6volt bulbs and put a resistor in it, i will have to think about that and do a bit of testing b4 i go al out and refit all my locos </font> ------------------ Matthew wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery
<font color="3333cc">You could, of course, use two fibre-optic cables for the lights, back to the bulb away from the shell. In my HO days I used to put the bulb in a short piece of brass tube, and the two fibre-optics in the other end. It worked fine, and the bulb could be some way from the actual hood.</font> ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
You guys have to use some kind of heat sink. Usually a little electrical tape around the bulb and possibly mounting some plastic inside the cab could work. I use 12v bulbs extensively in HO scale and have had no problems so far as long as I do this. Of course, none of the bulbs touch the plastic, and never will due to where they are secured (against the lead weights for the loco). ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
The metal tube and resistors seems to carry the heat away OK. Have no problem in HO. It might build up on a long run in an N diesel, maybe? With DCC you can always turn the lite off. ------------------ Watash
I'm thinking a big tube for a light channel/heat sink should work. But with most of the BNSF units going to the nose lights it shouldn't be a problem...
