Grain of Wheat Bulbs

[dougdagrump]

Can the grain of wheat bulb be powered directly from track power or does the power  have to be stepped down? I want to use them in some "F" series dummies as an interior accent lighting, subtle lighting of a cab and the porthole windows on the sides.

Forgot to say the powered units paired with the dummies are TMCC.

[twaldie]

Hi Doug.

I think TMCC typically runs at @ 16V, so if the bulbs are 16V they would work fine directly from track power.  If they are less than 16V bulbs you will have to reduce the voltage to them.  If you know the voltage and wattage of the bulb it is easy to calculate the resistor you would need to get the job done.

Tim

[dougdagrump]

Went to the Lionel website and checked out some schematics. The grain of wheat bulbs are direct powered from the track, no power step downs required.

[jefelectric]

Doug,

Not all grain of wheat lamps are the same.  I have some rated 12 volts, some rated 14 volts and some rated 16 volts.  I buy most of mine from All electronics.  They are a surplus clearance house and have different items at various times.  I would suggest for longest life you make sure you use at least 16 volt lamps, 18 volt would be better if you can get them.  I think I have seen 18 volt grain of wheats at shows.

[ChiefEagles]

Doug, so as suggested.  Get teh right voltages.  I use them all time with direct track power.  Since I am runn command [18V], I have to use the higher voltage ones.  Never had a problem.  Just picked up some LED ones at a good price. 

[jefelectric]

A couple of lamp sources.

http://www.towncountryhobbies.com/

http://www.allelectronics.com/index.html

http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?handler=home

http://www.scottsodds-n-ends.com/products.htm

In case you can't find what you need locally.

[Anonymous]

If you want "subtle" or subdued lighting in your units, try wiring the bulbs in series to further reduce the brightness of the filaments.