ModelRailroadForums.com is a free
Model Railroad Discussion Forum and
photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
I'm in the slow process of reviving some old, previously abused engines. I was wondering if it's possible to swap out the old headlights with some LEDs. I'd like to do it without adding DCC to them if possible. Can this be done? If so, how?
I put LED's in every engine that I own. Some of the other guys on the Forum do the same thing. I buy mine in bulk from China w/the resistors already installed. The 1st thing you need to do is hardwire all of your engines or do it when you start installing LED's. You also need to solder everything incl. the hardwire & the lights. If you have the older Tyco, AHM & one motor engines, then you can still add the lights, but differently.
Most guys use male & female plugs for hookup wire & a special fitting for the bulbs to sit in. It's a fairly easy installation once you get started.
The only one's I don't put LED's in so far are the Athearn Genesis engines. But, that may change shortly.

It's easy to do. I use 1000 ohm resistors and you can get 2mm or 3mm led's with resistors off eaby that work fine. If you use the white led's you can paint the led yellow or use a yellow marker to make them look like an old bulb.
You can wire them without soldering but might not work a well and the soldering makes it easyer to install.
Bob
If I remove the old bulb and solder in an LED with a resistor it will work? Is it really that simple? Of course, the new bulb will need to be positioned and secured.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website
(Learn More Here)