Best LED for headlight?

[Ray Dunakin]

I'm replacing the wimpy track-powered bulb in my loco's headlight so I can get a bright, constant light. I want to use an LED powered by a small pack of 2 or 4 AA batteries in the smokebox. What would be the best LED to use for this? Preferably one of the "warm white" variety, if possible.

[Anonymous]

Which loco?

[Ray Dunakin]

Well, it's going into a Buddy L 2-6-2, but I don't think would make any difference since it isn't going to be connected to anything else in the loco. I just need an LED that will put out plenty of warm white light running off a 3v or 6v battery pack.

[Anonymous]

Ray - the normal high brightness lad from radio shack and similar are a blue white . this site gives some info on charecteristics and has warm white leds , some might suit your requirements. the other option is to use a blue white led with a colored diffuser to add  amber tint

http://www.theledlight.com/led-specs.html

http://www.theledlight.com/color_chart.html

[Ray Dunakin]

Thanks for the link, that's a great site.

[cacole]

In order to appear more like an incandescent lamp, one of the Golden White LEDs might be a better choice than plain white.  Golden White LEDs are hard to find and cost more than plain white, but give off a more realistic glow.  One source for them is Litchfield Station at http://www.litchfieldstation.com

 

[FJ and G]

you could put a filter over the headlight (yellowish plastic) for the white LED to change colors