Replacing Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 headlight

[charlii]

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.

[fieromike]

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

[Inder]

I would love to see the results.  Will you please share with us?

[charlii]

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]

[Inder]

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.

[charlii]

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

[fieromike]

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

[charlii]

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

[Inder]

That looks really awesome.

Thanks for the pictures.  I don't think I can do that modification but I will give it a try.

[charlii]

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

[Inder]

Thanks for the drawings.  I will be waiting for your updates..

[bigjay7691]

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

[Inder]

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.