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How do you put LEDs in Athearn SD45 RTR?

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  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Thornton, CO
  • 763 posts
How do you put LEDs in Athearn SD45 RTR?
Posted by jwils1 on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 10:44 AM

The lighting holes in the SD45 are for 1.34mm Athearn incandescent bulbs. I can't find LEDs that small.

Jerry

Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 11:06 AM

You can find LED's all over the place.  Here's a place I go to alot.  Good prices, and fast shipping.

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/

There are many other places, and I'm sure you'll get lots of input.

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,932 posts
Posted by Stevert on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 11:17 AM

Look on that auction site for Monster LED's by Big Al Mayo.  He uses fiber-optic strands with his LED's to replace the Athearn bulbs.  

Disclaimer:  I don't have any connection with Al.  I haven't even used any of his LED kits.  But I've seen some positive reviews, and no negative ones.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 2:01 PM

Another source for LEDs with fibre optics attached is Ulrich: http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/led-light-with-fiber-optic/ . These are intended for replacement of Athearn bulbs.

Joe

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 2:23 PM

If it's the dual lamp light usually used on Rio Grande diesels in both nose and above the windshield, I typically use a short section of .250 Evergreen styrene tube glued behind the openings. I then slip a 3mm LED into the tube. It lights both openings/lamp well and the typical Pyle/rotary beacon simulation on most decoders still generates a good looking effect.

I have used dual SMD LEDs from Ulrich in a few, but this is more expensive, more trouble to install and requires using two outputs on the decoder. YMMV

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Victor Harbor, South Australia
  • 362 posts
Posted by alexstan on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 8:41 PM

Streamlined Backshop does some replacement LED's specifically for Athearn.

Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Thornton, CO
  • 763 posts
Posted by jwils1 on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9:12 AM

Alex,

Thanks. This appears to be what I'm looking for.

Jerry

Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9:54 AM

Wow, cool, another source, and those look great! A simple Athearn replacement.  I'm going to have to try them.  Looks like they are made to order.

http://store.sbs4dcc.com/SBS4DCC4-pkHOScaleAthearnHeadlightLEDAssembly-WarmWhite.aspx

Thanks for info, Alexstan.

Mike.

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 30 posts
Posted by dstephenson on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9:01 PM

Try sbc4dcc.com / store 

They make led lenz lights for athearn diesels that should fit with little effort, and are pre wired...

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Victor Harbor, South Australia
  • 362 posts
Posted by alexstan on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9:25 PM

mbinsewi

Wow, cool, another source, and those look great! A simple Athearn replacement.  I'm going to have to try them.  Looks like they are made to order.

http://store.sbs4dcc.com/SBS4DCC4-pkHOScaleAthearnHeadlightLEDAssembly-WarmWhite.aspx

Thanks for info, Alexstan.

Mike.

 

 

He also sells a special drill bit to slightly widen the headlight openings.

Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA

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