I've put the Miniatronics LED's in all my passenger cars and really like them. They have a capacitor that's keep them powered (no filickering).
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/475-100YCL01
I didn't buy them at walthers, got them at my local shop after seeing them installed in a few of cars there. In fact the electronics guy at the store helped design them.
I am considering using surface mount LEDs and perf board like you describe in my Walthers heavyweight cars. Do you have a electrical circuit schematic and a parts list for the system you are using?
I build my own out of surface mount leds and a narrow strip of perf board.
I mount this in the ceiling of the car, and use a voltage regulator configured as a constant current source to drive them. I use pickups - if only because I can't remember to turn the thing off.
Of course, this will only work on dcc or with dc that has a significant pulse inserted on it
Villy
The lighting kits I have include an extra battery. I have not tried to see how many hours of lighting they provide, but I suspect I have at least 3-4 hours on them right now. Since these are LED's, I would suspect many hours. I do not have a battery here, but it is a standard 'button' battery, and I was able to find it a Walmart. What I like is no pickups dragging on the axles, and very easy mounting(about 5 minutes per car. I do not use the lighting normally, but for visitors or at the club I turn it on. The magnetic 'wand' works quite well. I have 4 of the Con-Cor 72' cars setup with this system, and I am planning on using it in my Amfleet II cars as well.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
MisterBeasley wrote: I'm always wary of anything that uses batteries.Have you had your Easy Peasy long enough to comment on battery life?Also, what's involved in replacing a battery, and what kind of batteries does it use?
I'm always wary of anything that uses batteries.
Have you had your Easy Peasy long enough to comment on battery life?
Also, what's involved in replacing a battery, and what kind of batteries does it use?
When you're powering these type LED's with batteries, the battery shelf life is more an issue. I built several working FRED's in HO scale, that use a single AA battery. I just use a good alkaline battery. Most times I remember to turn them off, but even still, the battery will last for years in this application. True it's only powering one LED, but it also drives the LED flasher circuit. Since I built these myself from components, and have a snap in battery holder, I made the replacement easy on myself.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
All the the Walthers unit is a PC board with some light bulbs and it designed to be mount in their 85' passenger cars. Basically too long, but I suspect it can be cut down to fit. You still have the mounting/pickup issue to resolve. I have been using the Rapido 'Easy Peasy' board that just fits in the 72' cars. It has LED's and uses a small battery. There is a built-in magnetic reed switch and a 'wand' to turn the light on/off. Here is a link:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=&manu=rapido&item=102013&keywords=easy+peasy&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search