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Discussion Boards => N => Topic started by: charlii on October 02, 2007, 06:30:51 PM

Title: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: charlii on October 02, 2007, 06:30:51 PM
I am considering removing the headlight from a N gauge Spectrum 2-8-0, which is mounted on center of smoke box, and replacing it with a Pennsylvania Railroad light to be mounted at top of smoke box front.
Anyone's experience with such modification, would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: fieromike on October 02, 2007, 10:12:30 PM
Quote from: charlii on October 02, 2007, 06:30:51 PM
I am considering removing the headlight from a N gauge Spectrum 2-8-0, which is mounted on center of smoke box, and replacing it with a Pennsylvania Railroad light to be mounted at top of smoke box front.
Anyone's experience with such modification, would be appreciated.
The headlight led on the 2-8-0 is located inside the boiler and piped into the headlight housing via the small round piece between the headlight and the front of the smokebox.  You might be able to use a smd led and hook the wires  to the original led solder pads.  Its tight in there!

Mike
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: Inder on October 06, 2007, 10:23:51 AM
I would love to see the results.  Will you please share with us?
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: charlii on October 06, 2007, 07:30:26 PM
Will try sending couple photos:
[http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/280-008.jpg][http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/280-014.jpg]
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: Inder on October 07, 2007, 10:43:17 AM
Wow that's impressive!
Do you have pictures of the front?
What did you do to cover up the hole where the headlight used to go?
Pennsylvania railroad light?  What brand loco is that?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: charlii on October 08, 2007, 11:59:09 AM

Couple front views


http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=2-8-0-front-001.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=2-8-0-front-003.jpg
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: fieromike on October 08, 2007, 04:25:48 PM
Quote from: charlii on October 08, 2007, 11:59:09 AM

Couple front views


http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=2-8-0-front-001.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=2-8-0-front-003.jpg

Nice!

Mike
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: charlii on October 09, 2007, 12:10:58 PM
Couple photos of Roundhouse Old Time 2-8-0, converted into Ma & Pa Light 2-8-0
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=Before002.jpg
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=After001.jpg
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: Inder on October 09, 2007, 02:45:14 PM
That looks really awesome.

Thanks for the pictures.  I don't think I can do that modification but I will give it a try.
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: charlii on October 09, 2007, 06:48:18 PM
My next N guage project, converting 3 Model Power 4-4-0 to Ma & Pa 4-4-0's #4, #5 & #6.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=ModelPower4-4-0toMaPa4-4-0.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=RoundhouseMDCNGuage2-8-0toMaPaLight.jpg

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc230/chuckaluick_photos/?action=view&current=BachmannSpectrumNGuage2-8-0toMaPaHe.jpg

Hope these may be helpful to someone.
All drawings by H Geissel--Model Railroader

Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: Inder on October 15, 2007, 01:35:28 AM
Thanks for the drawings.  I will be waiting for your updates..
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: bigjay7691 on October 31, 2007, 03:03:31 AM
I currently have mine is a state ready for my decoder installation.

As I have investigated pretty much everything about it, I can tell you, the headlight is not only an LED, but it is on a 1/2 cm x 1/2 cm board with a resistor to limit the current.  Since's it's still only dcc ready, an LED up there needs some sort of resistance.

You could probably install a lamp from other bachmann engines.. I have a 4-8-4 analog, which has a bulb directly wired between positive and negative power.. I can't see what that would not work, but fitting it and wiring it would tough.

Jay
Title: Re: Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight
Post by: Inder on October 31, 2007, 05:08:32 AM
Jay,

Yes for LED's you definitely need a resistor connected in series to limit the current otherwise your LED will burn out.

Guys there is a rule of thumb resistor for LEDS on locomotives.  Is it 600ohms?
Yes it's over kill but better safe than sorry.  If it's too dim then
You can also use ohm's law v=ir

So find the resisitor value by substracting your LED's voltage from your power supply's and dividing by the LED's maximum allowed current.