Locomotive Headlights

[jxtrrx]

The DCC column in the current MR mag mentions that he has isolated some track so that he can power it down -- one of the benfits being to conserve loco headlights. I find myself hitting F0 now and then to turn them off, too -- being concerned that leaving them on whenever I'm running trains will shorten the bulb life too much. Actually, I really like the look of leaving all my locos lit and it occurred to me that for as much as they're on, it's probably not that big a concern. Are loco headlights really that fragile that they shouldn't be left on for a few hours at a time?

[Vampire]

I've read a few posts lately from folks who've had the light bulbs melt the plastic around them. I guess some of the 12V bulbs get pretty darn hot. If you've installed dropping resistors to allow use of lower voltage bulbs you may not have to worry about that. However, is it worth the hassle of having to replace bulbs if they burn out? Bulb replacement can be a chore on some loco's... especially ditch lights.

Having isolated track sections will also save wear and tear on your DCC decoders. Why have them just sitting there powered up when you're not running that loco?

[tstage]

Jack & Bill,

If heat or bulb life is a concern to you about your locomotive headlights, switch them over to LED's. They are a lot cooler (heat AND visual wise) and really give your locomotive a more prototypical look than the incondescent bulbs.

LED's are also either on or off. There is no fluctuation in intensity, as would be with incondescent lighting running on DC. They stay brilliant - even if they are standing idle somewhere on the track. And LED's give off very little heat, so there's no concern about the headlight warping the lense or nose of the locomotive from being on too long. Converting your locomotive over to LED's will require you to place an in-line resistor to keep the LED from blowing. I switched my two locomotives over to LED's and I have absolutely no regrets.

If you want to see what an LED headlight looks like, click on the link at the bottom of my post. There's a pic entitled "Playin' chicken?", which is a headon shot of my 2-8-2 Mike. LED's and headlights are the way to go.

Tom

[jxtrrx]

Thanks Bill and Tom. Makes sense. Tom, great photography. The LEDs look good! Bill, I just discovered the thread you started last summer on locomotive bulb life -- very helpful stuff in there, too.

-Jack

[palallin]

Unless you get the light golden LEDs made for the job, they are NOT prototypical for headlights until modern gas-filled bulbs came into use. White LEDs are too white and bright to represent the incandescent bulbs most widely used for headlights, especially in the classic steam and transition eras.

[jfugate]

I find 1.5v 30ma Miniatronics bulbs to be ideal for use in things like HO diesel gyralight housings. The bulbs are only 1.2mm diameter, and a #55 drill makes the perfect hole for these bulbs.

Plus bulbs look better with gyralighting or Mars lighting effects than LEDs. LEDs are just too abrupt, light bulbs have a gentler transition and look great with these effects.

At 1,000 hours rating for these bulbs, I compute they will last about 10 years if you only burn them about 8 hours a month ... and longer if you don't run them this much.

If you want to see for yourself what these bulbs look like, here's a video clip:


WATCH THE VIDEO: http://mymemoirs.net/model-trains/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=930

[tstage]

Steve, thanks for bringing that up! [:)] Jack, both the LEDs pictured on my link and used in my 2-8-2 Mike and S1 switcher are the "golden-white" variety that Steve is elaborating on. Sorry, I neglected to mention that before.

Tom