Questions, Answers & Tips - 6
LEDs and constant lighting
Q.
Over the years I have equipped many of my diesels with
constant-lighting kits. My layout is straight DC. Some of the
1.5 volt bulbs have burned out. Since I will have to disas-
semble engines to replace bulbs, I've been wondering what it
would take to change to LED lighting. Any comments? Thanks.
– Larry
5a-5b: Pollen Software.
5a
5a
5b
TIPS
A.
Several companies have stepped up to meet this demand
for an LED constant-lighting circuit. Jim Bernier and “Bill” rec-
ommend LED lighting packages from Evan Designs. They can
be used for AC/DC/DCC and any voltage from 7-19 volts. Some
have the appropriate resistor in-line on the LED wire lead. See
Bruce Petrarca says warm white LEDs with built-in resistors are
also offered by Litchfield Station at
They fire at about 4 volts
and can stand well over 12 volts. If you wire them directly in par-
allel with the motor with opposite polarity, one will light going
forward and the other going backward. The only thing left is to
put the correct LED into the correct end of the loco.
Gary Collins calls this circuit by Pollen Software (5a-b) “very
compact and reliable. It requires no additional components,
and is quite inexpensive. I've used it in several locos, and I've
had zero problems.” Go to
or details.
– MRH
Glue delivery
Getting solvents into tight places is always a problem. One
method that I have seen used, and used myself when apply-
ing solvent glue to sight spots and joints, is to get insulin
syringes and apply the glue or solvent with that.
MRH-Jun 2013
