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Interior lights in model dim

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  • Member since
    June 2009
  • 231 posts
Interior lights in model dim
Posted by johngriffey18ca1 on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 6:25 PM

I have an overland models brass track inspection car that has interior and exterior lighting.  When I first got the car the interior lights were bright.   Now they resemble fluorescent lights about to die.  They are very dim.  Now this car was not dcc deconder equipped for lighting and I did run it on my dcc layout, so I'm not sure if I burnt out the bulbs but if I did they wouldn't be dim right?  They would be completely out.  Any advice would be of great help!

P.S.

I model in HO scale.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:47 PM

johngriffey18ca1
I have an overland models brass track inspection car that has interior and exterior lighting.  When I first got the car the interior lights were bright.   Now they resemble fluorescent lights about to die.  They are very dim.  Now this car was not dcc deconder equipped for lighting and I did run it on my dcc layout, so I'm not sure if I burnt out the bulbs but if I did they wouldn't be dim right?  They would be completely out.

It depends.  Were they bright on a DC layout and now dim on DCC or the other way around?  Are the lights, not really bulbs at all but LEDs?   Are there other electronics in there that would make them "constant" intensity?  Some DCC systems put up to 17.5V onto the track.  Perhaps some of the other components burnt out.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 9:09 PM

 Also since it's an inspection car take a look at what's going on.  Can you see if the led's or lights are on?  Also make sure the wheels are clean and the pick-ups are cleaned and lubed. If the pick-ups are standard wipers they tend to get carbon build-up and dim the lighting a bit.  A food cleaning followed by a quick blast of crc should get you back to normal if the lights are all working.

Good Luck

 

Springfield PA

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