Hello all,
I've got a small project here that I'd love some help with. I bought a pair of Kato units (one SD40 and one SD40-2) custom detailed for CP, whose units had nose lights, and by the 1970s, ditch lights. I'm wondering how I should go about lighting these as I install DCC - With the drop in decoder for the SD40-2, are there more lighting functions available than just front/rear on/off? Also, how shall I channel the light and mount the bulbs?
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Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/
Check out the TCS installation page http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/N_Search/search.html there are several N scale installations for different eras of Kato SD40. The TCS decoders recommended are in most cases 4 function, so have the capability of driving 2 other lights. So the electronics are dealt with. The physical installation is a different matter. I find it hard enough in HO scale using small surface mount LED's connected via magnet wire.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I'm also curious as to the actual installation in N scale. Are there small enough LEDs or is there a molded fixture that will use some sort of light tube. I've seen fiber optics used in HO, but doubt it will work for smaller scale.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
I'd think fiber optics would work fine in N scale - there are some pretty small fibers available. The real problem is where to put the other end - with the LED attached. Even tiny surface mount LEDs need SOME space. This could be made by lopping off a portion of the frame in the front around the nose.. at the expense of weight and pulling power. A very delicate operation, to install the LEDs, attach them to the fiber, and run that magnet wire to the decoder. With a magnifier lamp, a very fine tip soldering iron, and very steady hands it could be done though.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker it could be done though.
it could be done though.
Just not by me! I will be making sure that my N scaler Son does not see this thread and get any ideas!
Yeah, beyond me, too. My friend witht he scratchbuilt N scale camelbacks though, he'd probably eb able to get it to work, and withotu a drop-in decoder, given how he's crammed decoders and wiring in with the motor in a tender drive for these locos.In fact witht he tiny CT Elektronik decoders there might not be any need to mill the frame. Once the big circut board was pulled out, there'd probably be enough room in the space it left for both the decoder and the LEDs to fit, with the fibers leading to the headlights and ditchlights.
Might as well add sound too.. LOL.
Richmond Crontrols has the smd LEDs (surface mount) with the wires already attached. Actually Railflyer has the smalllest smd's with wires attached. You can use Microscale's Kristal Klear to make new lenses in the holes, then glue the smd's from the inside with Kristal Klear. The harder part will be making the nose light itself. You'll have to file a notch into the nose and mount a headlight casting (Detail Associates or Minitures By Eric) As for the ditch lights, as I am not into N scale so I don't know who makes them, but you could probably make your own. The smd's are small enough to do this, I don't think there's enough room for routing fiber optics (you can't make sharp bends with the fibers) and light bulbs would be too big.
Jay
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Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
a 603 SMT LED like the ones Richmond sells would be about 10"x5" in N scale - dunno how that compares to the size of a ditch light. Those are the smallest ones generally available.
There are very small LED's out there. The 402 is the smallest that I know of.
Measures 1 MM (0.039") X 0.5 (0.020") MM X 0.5 (0.020"). Can be gotten with #36 wires alread attached.
rrinker a 603 SMT LED like the ones Richmond sells would be about 10"x5" in N scale - dunno how that compares to the size of a ditch light. Those are the smallest ones generally available. --Randy
The ones from Railflyer are about half that size. http://www.railflyermodel.com/