Tyco Trains

Welcome to the forum.

	Username:

	Password:

Save Password

Register
Forgot your Password?

[ Active Members: 0 | Anonymous Members: 0 | Guests: 23 ] [ Total: 23 ] [ Newest Member: Damnmy ]

Select Skin:

All Forums

General HO Train Discussions

Introduce yourself.

New to forum - question about engine headlamp!

All users can post NEW topics in this forum
All users can reply to topics in this forum

Printer Friendly

denicedcat
Switcher

Status: offline

Posted - November 27 2011 : 12:47:32 PM

Hi Everyone - It's getting to be that time of year when we set the train up. This year, my dear hubby wants use an led headlamp in our early 1970's red box Burlington Streamliner engine. He found a website that sells what he thinks will work, but now must determine the size of the lamp he needs. They offer a 1.8mm, 3.0mm or a 5 mm. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Country:

USA ~ Posts: 9 ~ Member Since: November 27 2011 ~ Last Visit: December 16 2011

Alert Moderator

Pierce
Big Six

Status: offline

Posted - November 27 2011 : 12:59:41 PM

You can use any size LED, it all depends on the intensity(brightness) you want. Also when you use a LED you have to make sure you install at least a resistor(Usually 5 ohm) on the positive(+) lead so you do not burn out the LED. Usually the larger the LED the brighter the light, I would start with the 3mm and see if you like it. Also if you just want to have light coming from the headlight be sure to put tape or something dark over it so it only goes out the headlight hole.

Adam

Country:

USA ~ Posts: 204 ~ Member Since: August 19 2008 ~ Last Visit: September 21 2025

Alert Moderator

AMC_Gremlin_GT
Big Boy

Status: offline

Posted - November 27 2011 : 1:01:05 PM

Is he replacing the lens in the engine itself with the LED directly? Most tyco engines have a plastic lens already in the engine, and the light goes behind it. So it won't really matter what size light you use, as it will shine through the lens installed. That said, a 3mm or 5mm will give him the brightness he needs. The 5 probably better than the 3, depending on LED maker. Don't forget , he needs to install a small resistor in series with the LED so it won't burn up. I assume he knows that standard DC track voltage is 14 volts max, and most LEDs don't use more than 4 volts. So he needs a current limiting resistor, he can't just solder in an LED in place of the light bulb. Hope he knows that. Or it will be a short-lived lighting experience.

JErry

" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"

Country:

USA ~ Posts: 3974 ~ Member Since: January 04 2009 ~ Last Visit: January 11 2019

Alert Moderator

denicedcat
Switcher

Status: offline

Posted - November 27 2011 : 1:14:20 PM

Thanks for your help. Yes, he is getting an LED with a resistor already built in. Actually, we have 3 F9 engines - an original Tyco (red box) which he bought for Christmas one year in the early 1970's as a set (Burlington Streamliner), one Athearn and a Mantua. He wants to do some work on them and I'm eager for him to do it! About 5 years ago, I set it up as part of our Christmas display, now it's a tradition! Since we actually now have 2 complete working trains, I'd like to set them both up, but space is limited (4 ft x 4 ft) and we have at least 3 different "villages" ranging from small houses (2 x 3 inches) to rather large (8 x 10 inches) and all must be on display!
Thanks again - love those trains!

Country:

USA ~ Posts: 9 ~ Member Since: November 27 2011 ~ Last Visit: December 16 2011

Alert Moderator

catfordken
Moderator