Walthers mainline observation car marker lights- adding LEDs

[krakow]

https://ibb.co/RpdtmXm

I got some HO Walthers maineline cars and want to change the fake molded marker  lights with LEDs. Does anyone have any suggestions for doing this? About what LEDS to get For this?

[mbinsewi]

I don't have pictures, but drilled out the rear marker lights on a coach and used these:

https://evandesigns.com/products/chip-nano-pico-leds

I used the Pico size, for 7-19v ac/dc/dcc power supply.

They have a resistor already installed, just wire direct to each side of the car.

I used a Bachmann car that was set up for an interior light, I removed that one bulb set up, and connected the picos.  

Once installed, I covered the picos with a drop of clear canopy cement, after that set, I dabbed the "lens" with red paint.

If I get a chance, I'll take a picture today.

Mike.

 

[doctorwayne]

krakow

I got some HO Walthers maineline cars and want to change the fake molded marker lights with LEDs. Does anyone have any suggestions for doing this? About what LEDS to get For this?

While I don't use lights of any kind on my layout (there are lots of them lighting the layout room, though), I have added locomotive lights for a couple of friends.  If you need really small LEDs, like these...

I'm not sure if they come in colours, but do know that they are available in both "warm" (as shown above) and "cool" white.

You should be able to find more info at BC Robotics

Wayne

[nycmodel]

I added rear lights to a Walthers NYC Hickory Creek observation car by drilling out the factory "lights" and installing 2 short lengths of fiber optics terminating at a red LED.

[MisterBeasley]

Are you running DC or DCC, and does the car have interior lighting of its own?  This gets more complicated if you need to collect track power and bring it inside for these lights.

[Pruitt]

For track powered markers, can someone point me to a DCC-compatible anti-flicker circuit? I want to install rear marker lights in my waycars (cabooses). 

[MisterBeasley]

Somebody does make caboose trucks with pickups and anti-flicker circuitry.

I put interior lights and outside markers on a caboose, using wipers, a diode rectifier bridge and a capacitor.  Not perfect, but it mostly works.

[krakow]

I would definitely like to see a photo of these. I assume you added the glue to simulate the dome type fixture?

[Trainman440]

Hi, I got my $2 lighting circuit perfected for installing lights into my passenger cars. 

 

Here's one on adding lights to a Walthers Dome car, without exposed wires going to the dome: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/282261.aspx

Here's an OLD post on figuring out how to solder wires onto those tabs on a walther's car: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/252113.aspx

Here's one where I install lights into a Branchline Heavyweight: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/259248/2910544.aspx

Lastly, in order to install pickups, I just use a brass (copper is better) sheet, bent into shape to touch the axles of the wheels. There are much better methods but this is my cheap and easy way. I recently have been using Walthers metal trucks, which can pickup power from both sides of the track, using all wheels. In this case I just simply add a brass washer to the truck screws and solder a wire that goes from there and through the frame of the car. 

Here's a shotty video of me in the middle of upgrading my P70 coaches with Walthers trucks, and flicker free lighting (and other upgrades). 

https://youtu.be/umMfs_HiODY

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That all being said, I have yet to bother installing markers into my cars as of now, but it should be as easy as wiring them parallel to my LED strip with a 1k resistor. Finding the castings for those markers will likely be the hardest part. 

Cheers!

Charles

[mbinsewi]

krakow

I would definitely like to see a photo of these. I assume you added the glue to simulate the dome type fixture?

Not sure who you are directing this to?

Mike.