Lights

I need some new headlights for my locos to take advantage of the FX features. Walthers has lots of different bulbs listed but I don't know which ones I should use. Any recommendations on brands, types, and sizes?

 

Hi there,
There are basicly two kinds of lights, incandescent and Light Emmitting Diode (LED)
Incandescent (light bulbs) come in all sizes, colors and shapes, 12volts and 1.5 volts(for our purposes) the 1.5's and maybe the 12's need a dropping resistor(size depending on the track voltage and milliamp of the bulb).
LED's are all very low voltage and need a dropping resistor(value of which is same as above). They light only when the current is flowing in one direction. This works great if you've got one on the head end and one facing rear. When the train is going forward (+ voltage) the front headlight works, and when in reverse (- voltage) the rear headlight will be lit.
I like light bulbs because they will fit into all sorts of tiny spaces. I have operating headlights, tail lights and marker lights on all my loco's and tenders as well as my doodlebugs. I use dcc so when the locos are sitting in the yard all the lights are lit. It makes the layout look alive!
Your local hobby shop should have a selection of bulbs and LEDs. Size and shape them according to what will fit where you want them. Radio shack will have the approiate resistors. Here's the formula to find the correct resistor value. First determine your maximum track voltage (lets assume 17volts) Second pick the bulb (lets assume 1.5 volts)third the milleamps should be written on the bulb package along with the voltage ( lets assume 30milliamps).
Next subtact the bulb voltage from the track voltage(add a couple of 10ths of voltage to your answer so your lamp runs a little low, it will last much longer.
17
- 1.5
_____
15.5 (plus .5 to 16)
16 volts is the amount of voltage you want to block.
Now divide the voltage by the milliamps.
30/16.000= 533 Ohms
Find the next highest resistor(this will lower your lamp a little more, another good thing) and wire one leg of the lamp wire to 1 end of the resistor and there you are. Be careful if you are using 2 resistors they must be wired in series or else the value will be cut in half.

I hope this helps.

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When in doubt, empty your magazine.

 

You really did empty your magazine on this one. I ask a simple question and got the whole light bulb story.

First, I don't have a local hobby store. Closest is about 80 miles away.

Second, I got the information I wanted from the wiringfordcc.com website.

Thanks anyway.