I run a number of non-powered dummy engines and would like to have headlights run by battery contained within the engine. I can't solder so I am hoping someone can tell me a simple way to do this that would be affordable. Thanks. Specific product recommendations/stores would help. This is for HO scale
Can't be done. Get a soldering iron (they are cheap enough) and learn how to solder. It really *is* easy.
You need a battery, a switch, a lamp, and if you are using an LED a resistor. All of these are non-standard with each other, most require soldering, especially if you get a switch small enough to put into locomotive.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Although soldering is usually recommended and will generally give you a better and more reliable connection, it is not absolutely necessary. You can put your components together and just twist the connections tight, and they will likely hold up well enough.
I would recommend using an LED for the headlight, because it uses very little power, gives a nice directional light and runs cool. You will need a small resistor for each LED. And, you might think about some sort of switch mounted on the underside of the engine to let you turn the system on and off without taking the shell off.
And now, the commercial: Soldering is easy. I use a cheap soldering iron I got for about $15. This project is a good one to start on, too, since you can do all the work on your bench and then stuff it into the engine.
Oh, and welcome aboard!
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
You didn't mention if you're running DCC. If so, there's a simple circut you can build that will supply constant lighting off track power to LEDs. I use it in my passenger and other lighted cars. There's a rough circuit layout about on-third of the way down this page.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/213765.aspx?page=2
I also recommend giving soldering another try. It's a basic, useful skill that just takes some prectice to get good at.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
When I was in junior high shop class, we were supposed to use the gas-fired soldering irons to solder up a sheet metal box. I was so terrified I talked the shop teacher into letting me rivet it, instead. He thought I couldn't pull it off, but I was terrifiededly inspired.
Some years later, with a bit of help from my father, I kinda taught myself how and used a 275 watt soldering gun to make a cooling coil for a steam loco.
Since that time, I've been paid actual money to solder.
SO, if I can; you can. How hard can it be?
That said, I'd go look at the numerous how-to-solder videos on you tube. Then buy some basic stuff and practice on some throw away items--like twisted together wires.
Ed
The one thing that's made soldering easier for me than anything else is tip tinner and cleaner. I use the Radio Shack (64-020), but I suppose there are others. You'll say "$7 or $8 for that little tin of stuff?!!" Yep, and well worth it. A little dab into it every so often with the tip of your iron and the whole idea of soldering suddenly seems plausible.
Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. Greatly appreciated.
Around Christmas time the big box stores sell battery poweredLED Christmas lights for a dollar or two. If you can fit the battery pack in you can cut off all the LEDS except a couple for the lights. You;d have to figure a way of installing the LEDs as headlights so it might be easier to learn how to solder.
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
Speaking as someone who was once too lazy to solder (and got pretty creative with a staplegun), it's actually less work than opening up the shell to fix a wire that wasn't connected right the first time!
My grandfather taught me to solder when I was 7. Honestly, it ain't that tough.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
SouGP-30:
First of all, in case nobody has said it before, WELCOME to the forum!
I will add my voice to those who have suggested that you learn how to solder. Yes, it takes a bit of practise and there is a learning curve, but you will open up a whole new avenue in your modelling which can lead to great things, lots of fun and reliable operation. If you don't solder your connections I can guarantee that some of them will come loose. That will lead to dead locomotives, dead track and a great deal of frustration.
There are lots of tutorials on the internet, and if you run into a problem we will help.
Go for it!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!