hello all!
recently I took it upon myself to convert an Athearn Genesis gp7 (Brand new, DC only) into an ATSF Topeka cab chop-nose unit for a short line I model. (I then realised that Athearn already produces a ready-made low nose version!). Anyway, everything came out great - except for the front headlights. They do not function. Thinking it was bad luck and that the lousy wheat hair bulbs had burnt, I swapped them with an extra golden LED bulb I had lying around. Still nothing. I've tested several other LEDs and none work. Has anyone experienced dead lighting circuits on DC Athearn Genesis units? It's basically still a new engine and yet there seems to be a circuit issue.
cheers :)
It sounds like the PC board has a failure regarding the lighting function. I have several Athearn Genesis locos that started out as DC (DCC Ready) that I converted to DCC by adding a decoder. But, before I did, I tested each loco on a DC track, and the incandescent bulbs performed fine. So, I have not experienced a lighting failure in DC mode.
You are correct in that the incandescent bulbs that come factory installed are of poor quality. I replaced mine with SMD LEDs when I installed the decoder but, again, the lighting function did work out of the box.
Rich
Alton Junction
The Athearn board has voltage regulators on it to provide the required 1.5 volts for the bulbs. White LEDs require a bit over 3 volts. You cannot drive an LED directly from the factory Athearn motherboard.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ