Next lighting project, some of the Kato C44-9W's I have bought at shows, have amber LED's on the light board, one for head light, one for reverse. The two LED's supply the light via light pipes to the front, ditch lights, and rear.
I called Kato USA yesterday to see if they had a replacement board with white LED's. The answer was no, sold out, don't if we ever will them.
I then asked if it was possible to snip off the amber lights, and solder on white lights. He kind of gasped, and said "you mean your going to alter the board?" He went on to explain that he could not advise me what size, or a procedure, as far as changing the lights. He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with it.
So, I'm throwing it out there to get some feed back before I do the "bulb-indectomy".
Has anybody done this?
Mike.
My You Tube
I do it all of the time. I replace with a 3MM warm white LED.
Check a DCC supply shop they should be able to help you pick one out.
Unsolder the old LED (Check for the flat side of the LED) Then make your replacement the same length and put the flat the same wayand solder.
Thanks woodone. I have a variety of LEDs on hand. I'm just moving cautiously, so I thought I would ask before I leaped.
Good, If you goof one up to the point of no return- PM me i have several of these boards that i could send to you- even change the LED's for a very small fee.
Postage mostly.
Jerry AKA woodone
Well thank you, Jerry!
mbinsewi I then asked if it was possible to snip off the amber lights, and solder on white lights. He kind of gasped, and said "you mean you're going to alter the board?" He went on to explain that he could not advise me what size, or a procedure, as far as changing the lights. He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with it.
I then asked if it was possible to snip off the amber lights, and solder on white lights. He kind of gasped, and said "you mean you're going to alter the board?" He went on to explain that he could not advise me what size, or a procedure, as far as changing the lights. He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with it.
LOL OMG...if you ever get into DCC, don't ever tell him you're about to install a decoder, because he just might have a heart attack.
What scale are you? I do N scale. If the light board already has a resistor installed, then snip off the original LED, save for a bit of the legs, and solder in an SMD LED (make sure the polarity is correct). I've done this recenty for a Fox Valley GEVO that has a notoriously dim amber-colored stock head/ditchlight.
Thanks Metro Line, I'm doing HO, and I use Digitrax.
Woodone's post was what I needed to try this, I did, and it works fine.
Although, the first try, I had the headlight in backwards, so I had to resolder it.
I tried following the path on the board, and then figured that the + side of the led should be on the + side, or engineers side of the loco. Wrong!
What a difference it makes.
Thanks for the reply.