I want to put a light in my logging caboose.
Would Bachmann's tender trucks like these (Leaf Spring, Assorted (On30 2-8-0) Tender Truck $13.20 Model: 259XX-00W05) work under the logging caboose since (in the picture) it looks like they already have electric pickups?
(http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/images/On30_parts/259XX-OOWO5.jpg)
Aren't these trucks a bit heavy duty for a caboose?
Or is the caboose filled with a bunch of fat conductors? ;D
The standard archbar trucks for boxcars have facilities to accommodate a brass pickup.
the only thing you need are those pickups.
Ton
Someone on another site mentioned those. It's hard for me to tell from the picture.
Terry, I don't see why the truck wouldn't work. On narrow gauge (all scales) especially, the car bodies tend to overhang the trucks more, so it would be hard to tell what kind of truck you have under there. I generally prefer to take all the help I can get, so if there is a truck out there that meets your needs with a minimum of work, go for it.
I'm just considering all my options now.
I guess I'm going to have to paint the inside since the standard caboose glows a bright red through the walls. I don't imagine these walls are any thicker.
I won a standard On30 caboose on Ebay for $17.50 + $5.99 shipping. I will use the lighting stuff out of it for the logging caboose. By the time I would buy the stuff separately, this will probably be cheaper and easier.
It's funny how thing work out.
I had ordered a couple caboose interior sets from Valley Model Trains so I could put interiors in my logging caboose and standard caboose. I got an email from them a couple days ago saying everyone's orders were canceled due to health issues.
I received my Ebay bought standard caboose today. I took it apart to see what I was going to have to do to remove the lighting stuff to put in the logging caboose.
I was quite surprised to find that the standard caboose already has a full interior. I did not know that because I never looked in the windows of the one I have.
The new cab. is a darker red and the light doesn't shine through it. It has been relettered and painted. I could keep that body because it's more of an oxide red and I like that color red better than the old cab but that is lettered for "Rockaway Valley". If I try to remove the decals, I might remove the paint.
I can take the new cab interior and cut it down to fit the log cab as well use the lighting stuff and trucks.
I guess it boils down to - Do I keep the new cab and use my my old cab for a donor car for parts for the logger or do I use the new cab. If I keep the old cab intact, I still have to do some painting on it so the light doesn't shine through the walls. That's means I have to take it apart anyway.
This sucks. Now I've lost one of the bushings that goes between the truck and the frame. I took the logging caboose apart a few days ago and put all the parts in a box. There's only one bushing in there. I guess I'll have to see if Bachmann has one to sell.
(https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34399624_10156391948870522_1373554966739812352_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeEgjhXjSusKhzZIdZQyjEUUb64eOCsQJzhrpCUMWoRxRuomZY5gE4qOf4_DU9zaiL4WCsbzTauR3l4_T2uDnxdK4ox1Bg6qd-xwgiWpV9ndHg&oh=570a53f0ecfd76d95ca00a17331321d7&oe=5B7A770D)
They come with the pack of three chassis.
Ton
Thank Ton. I hate to have to buy 3 chassis just to get a bushing. I emailed Bachmann's parts dept. I'll see what they say.
I found I don't need the whole interior from the full size cab. The cupola seats with cabinets below just snap off the floor as well as the bathroom. the logging cab already has the stove. I just need a couple benches and maybe a small table that I can make with balsa.
The whole project is not going to be as easy as I hoped. Somewhere along the way, Bachmann changed the electronics in the newer cabs. I'm using the older Ebay cab. It has a screw in bulb where as the newer cab is soldered GOW type bulb. I have to build a bracket to hold the light and circuit board because the old one partially stuck up in the cupola. It has a pin type connector sticking up and the other end plugs into it. I'll have to make a bracket that will lower it so I center it in the cab and not under the cupola. It also needs to fit under the roof.
I have to cut away part of the inner ceiling to fit in the cupola seats because the logging cab has a wider cupola that goes all the way to the sides.
(https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34322681_10156392139830522_2805027039185207296_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeH40SvNGGasEoNMtjnfqOrBk1thN8D_S5TQColKF-LU6xJlrrQUWHiO-ejJPi8gJ16SQV-Hh1RAJtwst8TMOfSfz8Mx2pHu7Qfko7AY3UnbIQ&oh=81151422f7b922a08fe97bf6005c0fb5&oe=5BB7C5EE)
Why not using a 5mm LED with a 1000 (1K) Ohm resistor.
Not a white one but a yellow or warm white version.
Make a bracket with a 5mm hole and glue the LED in place.
Will last a lifetime.
Ton
I thought about doing something like that. It would be less complicated in the long run. I'm all thumbs when it comes to soldering but I guess I'll try it. I have to find where to buy the LED and resistor.
Do LED's flicker?
I was wondering if there is some kind of anti-flicker device on the market. I've seen schematics to build them.
I'm going to put a figure in the cupola. That's why I wanted the seat up there. Did cupola windows open? Slide open or flip up or out? I wanted him leaning out the window.
You can find LEDs for trains here:
http://www.autolumination.com/other-products/lionel-miniature-train-parts/lionel-miniature-train-led-bulbs.htm
The prewired 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm LEDs are at the bottom of the page. Use the 'Choose Color' pull down to select amber.
The larger screw and bayonet base bulbs have the resistor, etc., built into the base. You'll need to provide your own for the prewired LEDs.
Len
Autolum doesn't sell the resistors too.
I'm looking at Aliepxress. https://www.aliexpress.com/ (https://www.aliexpress.com/)
10pcs 5MM Round Top 12V Pre-Wired Resistor White LED Emitting Diode 12V DC 20 CM Pre Wired Diodes Led Lamp Light DIY Retail GHMY for $2.17 They also come in yellow. It doesn't say if it's 1000 ohm resistor.
Quote from: Terry Toenges on June 03, 2018, 09:09:28 AM
Did cupola windows open? Slide open or flip up or out? I wanted him leaning out the window.
It's you railroad so windows will open.
It's as simple as that ;D
Do LED's flicker?
Yes , but you won't see that.
If your DCC is 15 KHz your LED will flicker at 7.5KHZ.
We humans can't even see 24Hz. Movies.
Ton
I realized the log cab side windows are real small anyway so I won't worry about that.
I ordered the LED lights from Aliexpress that are prewired with resistors.
I got the interior done. I had an O scale Arista guy that I didn't have much use for so I stuck him in there. The O scale Arista guy is so much smaller than the O scale Woodland Scenics people.
I built a table and two chairs and a bench/tool box. It's real hard to see inside anyway. I measured my table and chairs and reduced the sizes down to 1/48th and pared them down a little more since room is tight in there. Arista fits in the chair so it's cool.
I did paint the floor flat brown. I painted the cabinets/cupola seats a lighter brown then went over them with matte spray.
(https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34382446_10156394592030522_1865493352523235328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeEz4uG1O4P1IfxOEylQSd4Yn5HTTyTIIEsalzZtknGouUCpbicuQ2qxosZ1qWIdgC1D0-D9YbtnJI0shixCv2-ZG0tZYdzHocOvqhqs1dD79w&oh=f015ed29338e909401b698842317c9d6&oe=5B7DC749)
(https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/34368472_10156394592645522_4200225815008378880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeE8GqnZQG6TiWra38PjBBQzFET9TG2X8TVH_rQbtkWT6E0rai4hBxbm_2eYgOaafmW17ivXCYxe9xO7WdbLCV1V3Ii1eVV6efM2hRvu6G13Ow&oh=2ab511d09ce09aa71c1725044ada396f&oe=5BC282ED)
The preresitored LED's you ordered will be very bright.
They will use the correct value resistance required for those LED's, ranging from 470 to 680 Ohms.
I use 1000 Ohm to dim the brightness.
Ton
They didn't say how much of a resistor they had. If they are too bright, maybe I can tint the windows.
On the resistors that you use, what wattage are they? When I was looking at resistors, I saw that they come in a variety of wattages.
1/8th Watt.
average current consumption for a LED is about 20 miliAmpere.
calculation; (overall Voltage minus voltage LED) devided by 0.02 Ampere gives resistance in Ohm.
Red = 1.9V
Green = 2.1V
Blue = 3.6V
Ton
Good news and bad news.
The bad - I heard back from Bachmann this morning about the bushings. The email said, "Bachmann does not have this part available."
The good - I was looking in a box for something this afternoon and found the lost bushing that had apparently fallen in there at some point.
The moral of the story is don't lose your bushings because Bachmann can't replace them.
I got it done. The amber light does seem kind of bright but since the windows are real small, it's not bad. I might put a dark wash on the windows to tone it down. I'll try to get a "night" pic.
I had pieces of an old coal mine platform and I cut a piece of it.
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35350375_10156423007095522_8460922772384645120_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=aaadc49994dc8e89e0764724a1019fb0&oe=5BC1E377)
I ran the wires up through the bathroom floor.
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35311956_10156423007320522_4376812755433291776_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=de4d2bd295ff87b4ae1b8c8bec64e77c&oe=5BA89CDB)
I soldered the wires together and glued the post to the wall of the bathroom.
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35389770_10156423007465522_7545795018338861056_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=6847f0dfda43c325e398450daa38325d&oe=5BAA4C76)
I put some tape on the wires to keep them from sticking out so I could put the body on.
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/35303776_10156423007740522_1198269848082186240_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=3cb86dc4671db7969e54b508ab7d16c9&oe=5BA688AB)
Nice work, Terry! Looks great.
nice job.
If you want to tone down the LED just use a resistor with a higher risistence.
2k2 red red red or 3k3 orange orange red.
Ton
Ton - For me, it's easier to just darken the windows. There are no electronics stores anywhere close to me. I would have to order something on line. All I would need is one resistor but I don't think you can buy just one. Then I would have to pay postage. I have materials on hand to do a wash.
I already went over it with a dark wash before I put the windows back in. It toned down the newness look. I can just go over it again with the windows in place. That way I don't have to take it apart. I'll get some pics of it soon.
Yes one resistor is a few cents and ordering 1 is a bit difficult.
As a radio ham i have plenty on the shelf.
An alternative is if you have an old radio or amplifier laying around.
The pcb inside has plenty of components.
Ton
Quote from: Terry Toenges on June 03, 2018, 06:08:39 PM
The O scale Arista guy is so much smaller than the O scale Woodland Scenics people.
That's because Arttista makes them in 1/48 scale and Woodland Scenics makes them in 1/43. I have figures made by each on my layout and I have to make sure they're never placed close to one another (same for some Brit-made 1/43 WW2 figures I have; those are usually placed close to the edge of the layout for some basic forced perspective).
I wish WS would make 1/48 for over here and let their 1/43 be for across the pond since they use 1/43 for O scale.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_scale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_scale)
Hunt - Thanks for the links you me. I've bookmarked those for future use. Streamlined Backshop had a lot of neat stuff.
I'm late to this thread, but will reply anyway.
LEDs will flicker just like a regular bulb will, but if there is a capacitor already in the circuit then the LED may draw less power thereby not flickering as much or as soon as a regular bulb.
I have found that even circuits that include a capacitor usually still flicker, so I have begun adding a cap to all my lighted cars. 100uf - 1000uf if you have room to have a cap that big.
You can also buy LED strips on ebay or amazon to replace regular bulbs, or just use discrete LED's, either way. If I add LEDs I included a full wave rectifier. I use DCC, so a full way isn't necessary, but it will be if you use DC.
ADDED: Here's an LED strip, but you can also find warm white. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSF66JO/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=AAF37WJS3P6BT&psc=1
Added again: It took me some digging, but I found a place where I purchased bronze material to fabricate wheel wipers so I could add lights to cars. http://www.rodmiller.com/parts.html#wipers