SMD LED's for loco and car lighting

[kenkal]

Anyone have a source for bright white or warm white SMD 603 LEDs? I don't know if they come in different brilliances, but likely super-bright would be best for most things (could always tune it down by using a larger resistance).They would make great parts for ditch lights, # boards, caboose side markers, etc. rather than just using the 3mm standard LEDs.  I have a Digikey catalog but really have a hard time finding things in it because they seem to go by THEIR part #'s and descriptions which aren't very descriptive, to me, anyway...

 Also, there seems to be some PCB's out there with 6 of these on them that are being used by vendors for passenger car lighting.  They "look" like they would be just 6 603's  in a row. At about $20/car, I would think they would be cheaper from a supplier than from say Walthers. Any other source for them?

 Unexpectedly, a search of this forum didn't turn up anything.

Thanks.   Ken

[Hamltnblue]

 I just got them from these people recently.Mine came with thin wires soldered on them.

http://www.richmondcontrols.com/WhiteLED.html

[brakeman321]

       have you checked at jameco.com eletronics supply

                                   brakeman321

[cacole]

A couple of possibilities other than the ones already mentioned:

http://www.superbrightleds.com

http://www.moreleds.com

http://c-leds.com

 

[tricky_trev]

0603 footprint isn't a nice size to handle without a reflow machine.
consider the 1.8mm kingbright wired LEDs instead ;-)

http://www.kingbright.com/product_main_1.php?level=20050527102124&lang=Korean

[ds137]

Richmond controls that Hamltnblu linked to has 603 LED's available with lead wires pre-soldered to them.  I just attended a clinic by them at the Houston train show... Amazing! 

[kenkal]

Thank you hamltnblue, brakeman321, cacole, tricky trev and ds137 for the responses.

tricky trev, I couldn't find the SMDs you noted.  I can't believe the100's of different LEDs and SMDs they have.  BTW, is there a pricing schedule someplace? Couldn't find that either.

Thanks again, all.

Ken

[tricky_trev]

the 1.8mm LEDs aren't SMD, but have almost the same footprint as 0603 and has wire leads.

As i'm based in switzerland, www.distrelec.ch is where i get mine. Farnell, radio shack, RS components, digikey should also supply Kingbright LEDs.

[jwhitten]

kenkal

Anyone have a source for bright white or warm white SMD 603 LEDs?

 

 

For all your electronic needs, including LED's, try:

 

Digikey -- A large electronics distributor with seemingly everything

Mouser Electronics -- Ditto above

Jameco Electronics  -- Typically more expensive but they have a lot of stuff for hobbyists)

All Electronics -- They have a lot of surplus and unusual items

 

John

[Doc in CT]

 I've had good luck with  TrainsAidsa for SMD and lighting strips. Inexpensive, good quality, good service (they are also on e-Bay).
Alan