Headlights/ cab beacon for DC only loco's...

[boostersandslugs]

Group,

I need some "step by step" instructions on hooking up some lighting for Athearn Blue Box locomotives.

Specifically, I have an SD40-2 that I just hard wired.

I want get rid of the "fire in the fireplace" bulb and bracket.

I want to add realistic headlights and a flashing beacon to the roof (NO ditch lights)

What about headlights on both ends or directional lighting with the flashing beacon?

Is this possible with DC?

If so, how do I do this?

Are LED's the answer?

The headlight holes in the cab are 1/16" diameter.

Can you recommend a SPECIFIC vendor that sells correct lights/beacons?

Thanks,

boosters and slugs

[annarborfan]

C.R.E. lighting kits are very easy for that type of effects. Hard to find but they show up on auction sites now and again.

[mtoney]

Richmond Controls makes excellent lighting circuits with several different beacon effects, you just order what style beacon you wish. Strobe, Prime stratolite(digital sequential beacon used on BN, ATSF ect), Western Cullen rotating beacon(rounded top bumblegum machine light). Most engines got the Prime 8901/8911/8913 Digital sequential beacons, 4 lamps that are flashed in a rotational pattern with no moving parts. The motors and high voltage in xenon strobes messes with the radio reception for the 2 way EOT telemetry. For vintage circuts, Emrex Electronics and Ibenlite both had excellent circuits. Richmond Controls is about all that is left for non DCC that makes really good circuits. His directional lights + a Prime beacon all use LED's and there is no need for a detail casting for the beacon, he has special LED's that look just like the beacon light itself. Mike

[c415rock]

Hi boosters and slugs,



My go to for everything DC lighting is Ngineering.



Their lighting Simulator Modules are very small in size(about half the size of a dime)great installation instructions. There customer service is second to none. They are located in the state of Washington. When I place a order I have the product at my door here in Michigan with in two to three days at the most.



The other great thing is the cost, most modules are between 12.95 & 13.95 very affordable. They will also do custom configurations if you ask but I don't know of the cost for this service.



The other great thing about there modules is that they can be hooked up directly to DCC decoders. So if some day you want to convert to DCC you can hook these modules up to the function outputs of the decoders, as a on/off function. These can also use either bulbs or LED's which ever you like. They also offer a good selection of soldering supply's and other items for modelers. I suggest everyone check this company out.



Here is a link to there web site:



www.ngineering.com/lighting_effects_products.htm



Erik