LED MARS Light

[RR_Mel]

Both of the 2mm LEDs are clear.  They are glued together on a horizontal plane.  In the MARS decoder configuration they alternate with a modulated pulse.  The alternated pulse makes them look like a single light in motion.  The light from the 5mm LED lens appears to sweep from left to right.  The illumination from the MARS light on the scenery near the track also looks like a light sweeping from side to side as if it was a single light moving like the real thing.  A single LED only flashes, it doesn’t look like it’s moving.  

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[Mark R.]

So the two smaller LEDs are one white and one red ?

Mark.

[RR_Mel]

I placed the LEDs horizontal, both are clear.  Using two alternating LEDs gives a very realistic looking sweeping effect as the locomotive rolls past scenery and on the track in front of the locomotive, much like the real locomotives I watched as a kid.

 

 

 

I filled the area where the small LEDs connect to the 5mm lens with Testors Clear Parts Cement & Window Maker so that I could paint the assembly black without dinging the forward light from the two smaller LEDs.  I paint all of my Led headlights black behind the lens to prevent light splash on the track under the locomotives.  It also prevents light splash through the locomotive cab windows.

 

I use the Single Row 1X40 & Dual Row 2X40 pin Socket Connector Strips for pretty much everything so that I do not need to solder directly to the LEDs.  The connector strips have the standard electronic component spacing of .1” and the .02” diameter LED leads simply plug into the connectors.

 

The dual LED assembly in my picture above is a standard clear white 3mm LED headlight below the MARS light configured to fit the Model Power E7 below, I put a dab of Goop glue on the socket and attach it to the shell.

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[gmpullman]

Mark R.

Real Gyralights and Mars Lights were just a single bulb

Some did use a red emergency lamp that would automatically engage when the train went into emergency. UP, Santa Fe and maybe Burlington come to mind.

ATSF_mars by Edmund, on Flickr

Maybe Mel has one LED of each color?

Otherwise, I get great oscillating headlight effects with just about any of the better decoders and a single LED.

Regards, Ed

[Mark R.]

I don't understand the reasoning behind using two LEDs. Real Gyralights and Mars Lights were just a single bulb, just each brand had it's own method of rotating the bulb.

Mark.

[RR_Mel]

For any of you out there that would like to make an LED MARS light I have one that works very good.

 

I found a great LED 2mm clear white round top LED that works great through the lens of a 5mm LED.

 

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/100pcs-2mm-LED-Diodes-Water-Clear-White-Light-Round-Top-Transparent-USA-/121906001990?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=L4N%252FMrzygz514LB1lv%252B1b8748mE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

The 2mm LEDs are flat sided and are easily glued together.

 

 

 

I cut off the lens of a clear 5mm LED and glued the two 2mm LEDs to the back of the lens.

 

The two 2mm LEDs are connected to the Green ( F1) and Violet (F2) wires from the decoder.  Program the functions to either MARS or Gyralite.  If you want the LEDs very bright use 1K resistors, I recommend 2.2K.

 

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.