What is the mcd of the LED's in most locomotive headlights? or can it be any brighness of your peference. I would want it to get as bright as it can but without it damaging your vision if you look at it. Of course not for too long.
The only ones generally bright enough to hurt your eyes draw too much power to use on a decoder function output anyway, so really just get whatever looks good. Color is just as or more important. I model the 50's, loco headlights int eh 50's didn;t look bluish like modern lights, they were yellowish. Golden white LEDs are clsoe to that, and I don;t think the brightness is even listed on the ones I buy. They shine in front of the loco if I turn off the lights, so they are good enough for me. Sunny White is more for modern locos, a brighter, whiter white without being too bluish.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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I just got a new Bachmann DCC S4 switcher and it has a high and low setting for the headlight. The bright is almost too bright for me. I also model in the 50's and mid 60's. I don't know how they do it unless there is a second resistor that kicks in when you punch F7 (the control for the brightness). I guess you could experiment with different resistor values until you get the brightness you want without burning it out.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Decoder functions outputs are usually PWM similar to the motor outputs, so for the 'dim' mode they usually decrease the 'on' time, effectively dimming the the light.
I see, thanks for the reply.