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SIGNAL REHAB

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  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Saturday, August 3, 2019 1:26 AM

Thanks guys, I will give that a try!!!

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, August 1, 2019 4:41 PM

Randy is correct about the insulation.  I used my thumb nail to strip the Teflon insulation off the small wires.  The #36 wire in my links is very good quality.
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 1, 2019 2:30 PM

 The Litz wire Mel mentioned is in some ways even better - it's thin like magnet wire, but because it is made up of hair thin strands, it flexes without breaking like magnet wire. Downside is it will be a bit more difficult to strip, and you have to make sure no stray strands escape the joint, especially if the brass pole is used as the common terminal for the signal.

                --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, August 1, 2019 12:24 PM

Magnet wire is very thin because it's coated with varnish, not plastic insulation.  I've used it for LED signals and it works very well.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 10:42 AM

Are the wires accessible at the bulbs?  If so replace them with #36 0.28mm Litz wire.
 
 
I went with #36 Litz wire on my signal heads, easy to work with and very small.
 
I used NJI signals early on but I found out I could make them myself using the new SMTL4-RGY LEDs shown in the picture below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
SIGNAL REHAB
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 1:51 AM

Hi Guys n Gals,

It's been a long while since I posted here, hope all is well with you MRRDERS, And your summer is full of fun also, 

Well on that note, I have a question, if you recall I said my wife and I were moving to a new house, well we did!! and now the task of breaking down the layout begins, I have two combo house signals from NJ international, and the wires are kind of.... well... let's just say they served well, is there a way to improve the wires or restore them, on one of the signals the red wire has broken. HELP!!! Lol

Take care..... Trainsrme1Cool

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