LED lights to use with LokSound v4 decoder?

[pequeajim]

I have a few diesels that I will be installing a v4 LokSound decoder in and want to buy some LED lights to use in the engines, ditch, cabin lighting. Can anyone provide a link to a recommended light to buy?

[hon30critter]

Hi pequeajim:

If you could tell us which locos you are working with that might help us provide more specific information but I will try to give you some general guidelines.

First, any LEDs used with a Loksound decoder require resisters to reduce the voltage. Generally a 1K ohm resistor will work just fine, but if you are modeling locomotives from the early 20th century you may want to use higher resistances to get the 'glow' that better mimics kerosene or early electrical lamps. I have used resistors as high as 30,000 ohms to get the desired lighting effects but for early headlights something around 10,000 ohms will probably do the trick.

The easiest LEDs to work with for your interior and ditch lighting are 'SMDs' (Surface Mount Devices). They come in several sizes but the smaller ones are the easiest to fit into tiny spaces. You can buy pre-wired 0402 or 0603 LEDs on eBay for very reasonable prices. The numbers refer to the size of the LED. 0402 LEDs work well for ditch lights and are quite suitable for the other functions like interior lighting. They will also work OK for headlights but if you want something brighter then you should consider the 0603s or 3mm round top LEDs if they will fit.

Note that there are 'warm white' and 'cool white' LEDs. For late model locomotives cool white LEDs are OK, but for anything prior to the 1990s warm white LEDs are a better choice. Cool white LEDs are actually a bright blue in colour.

Here are some eBay listings for the various LEDs:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-Pre-Wired-Warm-White-0402-SMD-LEDs-Lighting-Kits-Pre-soldered-Micro-LEDs-/262170290082?hash=item3d0a9127a2:g:LDQAAOSwJcZWcrtg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-pcs-Pre-Wired-Warm-White-0603-SMD-LEDs-Lighting-Kits-Pre-soldered-Micro-LEDs-/401035301881?hash=item5d5f9113f9:g:JksAAOSwUdlWcr2e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-3mm-Warm-White-Round-Water-Clear-LED-Leds-/251678078965?hash=item3a992eb7f5:g:xp4AAOSwEppUPS5N

Dave

[pequeajim]

Thanks Dave for the information.  I going to install them in later era, (70s-80s) locos.

I saw the information relating to the resistor in the manual.  I think they recommend a 470ohm, but I am going to use 1k.  I'll take the information that you provided and do some shopping.

Jim