Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Help with replacement bulbs!!!

6331 views
19 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2021
  • From: Lewiston,Maine
  • 15 posts
Help with replacement bulbs!!!
Posted by loggingfirefighter388 on Sunday, June 27, 2021 10:03 AM

Hello everyone!! I have 2 Athearn RTR SD39's and on both locomotives some of the bulbs are burned out. According to my parts sheet included in the box they take a G19023 light bulb. When i search for them on Athearn's website and even Google i come back with nothing. Can anyone point me in the right direction for replacements?? Thanks in advance!!

-Sam

Samuel Robinson

Lewiston,Maine

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, June 28, 2021 4:22 PM

I only see 2 different bulbs on Ebay, one that is wired and one that looks like a pistol cartridge.  I can't believe they used a lot of different bulbs for different engines.  What does your look like?

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, June 28, 2021 4:38 PM

Sam,

Have you tried contacting Athearn directly?  The parts department might have more specific information for you.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, June 28, 2021 4:49 PM

Are these the one's? Out of stock, due Aug:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH90360

Take Care! 

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, June 28, 2021 5:15 PM

good find Frank

Here is where someone says, just tear out the circuit board, put in a decoder buddy and a DCC sound board and use LED's   Devil

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, June 28, 2021 5:38 PM

Big Daddy,

I knew where they were at Henry. I picked up a few for a friend in the UK not long ago. Some people insist on keeping their models original. I too am in that group.

Take Care! Smile, Wink & Grin

Frank

 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, June 28, 2021 6:12 PM

In my experience, any Athearn part with the G prefix is a Genesis part.

As such, the Genesis line uses the grain-of-rice 1.5 V. wired lamps like these:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG63843

They ARE prone to premature failure. Some of mine were DOA on brand new locos!

https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1108

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH64485

 

I don't know why the disparity in part numbers?

The Miniatronics 1.5 V. 1.2mm lamp is a better quality replacement:

https://miniatronics.com/products/micro-mini-lamp-clear-1-2mm-1-5v-30ma-10-pcs

 

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 12:06 AM

loggingfirefighter388
Hello everyone!! I have 2 Athearn RTR SD39's and on both locomotives some of the bulbs are burned out.

Hi Sam,

Welcome to the forums!!       Welcome

Have you considered using LEDs instead of the incandescent bulbs? The LEDs will last a lifetime and they are brighter than the bulbs.

If you are considering LEDs let us know and we can advise you on how to install them. Also, are you using DC or DCC?

The Moderators may move your thread to the 'Electronics and DCC' forum. They will let you know if they do.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 11:10 AM

gmpullman
In my experience, any Athearn part with the G prefix is a Genesis part.

That is a helpful and interesting detail.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 12:14 PM

Lastspikemike

Anyone know which voltage bulbs Lifelike used in their Proto 1000 C Liner? I assume they'd be incandescent. The one in my A unit with a decoder added has a red and a white wire which seems odd since incandescent bulbs are not polarity sensitive. Could it be an added LED and how would I tell? 

 

Could be a LED was added when the decoder was added in.

LED's will have a "flat spot" on the base on one leads side, to denote the cathode side. (If its base also is covered in shrink wrap, you most likely won't be able to tell.) I much prefer LED's over bulbs, as when done correctly, they last forever in our models.

Nice tip on the Miniatronics bulbs Ed!

I knew I got a package of those when a local shop closed them out for something important! Now I know what... My Genesis SD70ACe in Erie Heritage Paint with the blown out headlight that lasted all of 15 minutes run time.... Blindfold

Now if only they would offer a "retrofit kit" to replace all those annoyingly short lifespan bulbs in one swoop easily...

If I'm correct, MicroMark PSA Adhesive is closest to what the factory used originally?

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
    June 2021
  • From: Lewiston,Maine
  • 15 posts
Posted by loggingfirefighter388 on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 12:32 PM

Yes I have cconsidered it but i'm not too good with a soldering iron following a vehicle accident I was in 2 years ago. I would say for the time being unless there are LED's available that already have the resistors installed im gonna have to stick with what is easiest to replace. I appreaciate everyones replies and will have to look into the Miniatronics ones. 

Samuel Robinson

Lewiston,Maine

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 2:22 PM

Lastspikemike
Could it be an added LED and how would I tell?

It could.  If you can't readily see the bulb, take a video of it with your smart phone.  LED's flash at a rate that can't be seen with the neked eye but is obvious on video.

i know how to spell naked, but I'm out in the country now.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 8:54 AM

loggingfirefighter388
I would say for the time being unless there are LED's available that already have the resistors installed im gonna have to stick with what is easiest to replace.

I use Evans Designs LEDs for pretty much all my locomotive and structure lighting. They come in several sizes and colors, and are pre-wired to use any DC or AC power source up to 14 or 16 volts. Even the smallest ones are very bright and make great headlights or marker lights. You can get them direct or from Walthers.

Stix
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 7:17 PM

Lastspikemike
I am a little intrigued as to why spelling may depend on where you are...

I guess you never read The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, July 1, 2021 12:33 AM

loggingfirefighter388
I would say for the time being unless there are LED's available that already have the resistors installed im gonna have to stick with what is easiest to replace.

Hi Samuel,

These might work for you:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/151396076356?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item233fe8cb44:g:U54AAOSwnDZT~~BX&amdata=enc%3AAQAGAAACkPYe5NmHp%252B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsStEKTPzZMfQmny3knR97t0Oz4WlOpREiRtCKJTk9ZsdvgIilGS4rAdgYp2tIEmeHaYw%252FkRB462bYXzFmbzNDtwl4fFEVpJEZuLzHruKceyuRUMnkvJw58wsg4bLYxMeIhZUm35hE%252FQdPUcplLEUoClEQv3dyJFu%252FAIWGaZHYS0Gb9wPioaUELBdvHOiR2y6jbipeEHyeEazCCoJOZXhnHoxYownbsonSQ332joL%252FmjoA5BKk4E6hS2Jv%252BXxPltToHThE8GmujQzdADlgJWt2uoa%252FjNGmzlY1YWFFZ1kWwH6m1ESZDgWPuKsYjRfVaCOL9Q7RQ0NRwUX3NHy55y42tBCkcGnLHj7mcY78epW%252Fj0LJx%252FZ4cVXVNRuw2IM3o1HOF%252BYOQHFywftQv5RVqIHsa2U0jokJJKU29VypIfPCCj84eLXB0eDWid6orKAMPbzJ75U2r7%252BtrD3re5p5aPnX%252Fhp4b%252Fvppx4W6c2r1%252FmCc7MEgLGck8j6dTNNsLjrF37QjUmDPkTuQpMUZZ2pKepKlxKPMFkJzH4wSgUTEXekGciakxN4yVVZ%252BD0R%252BdxpTgU4m4AW2V8Uz3VFuEFJ%252Bvrueg1YPMEFLmit9p3e%252FTaOl2acp%252Bp%252FL0gK8huOn8wmQcfssNPZL2rDGwDvOQ3uwOT%252BHgVB5UXVq9ekkicdcS0sdOHOvsFuhIyZbRXrT1G873bBbOAnQHBi%252B0WwZsd6oUku9MqWsxo%252BWSrQn3iLctXnpkOat9QN8Zjax3AiItOLGMn6lw9BBe53SFkVCU8b0hdmeG7A6mA8Pi8xydH09xd1YhBDRdE6wTkKvyz1PRw37vewQ%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

The listing is Canadian so your price will be lower.

Here is a thread that explains how to install an LED in an Athearn locomotive. You have to read through it a bit to get to the answer, but look for 'woodone's posts. If you use the above LEDs you will only have to solder two wires (I think).

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/248213.aspx?page=2

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, July 1, 2021 8:58 AM

hon30critter
These might work for you:

That is an impressively large URL.

I just ordered some... thanks.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, July 1, 2021 3:02 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
hon30critter
These might work for you:

 

That is an impressively large URL.

I just ordered some... thanks.

-Kevin

 

That is a very impressive massively large URL... Whoa!!!! Indifferent

I have ordered from there before, all of the ones I received worked without issue.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!