Bulb Upgrade On Athearn Genesis & RTR Units

[conrail 6373]

Well, its pretty obvious that Athearn uses some crappy light bulbs used in there Genesis and RTR line. On my SD45-2, 1 of the 2 light bulbs burned and its not even 6 mos. old. On both of my SD70MAC's, only one light bulb lights up (front and rear). I was looking for some upgradable bulbs. Just want to know what you would recommend and what have you used...

Thanks!

 

[jbaakko]

The Athearn bulbs are 1.5V, so that in DC mode they light up sooner. If you're running DC, you should search for, and install a constant lighting kit, to help save the bulbs. If you're running DCC make sure the lighting output is either 1.5v or you add in resistors.

 

[ThoroughBreed]

I found that the Miniatronics 1.5v 15mA 1.2mm bulbs are great replacements for them, as they fit almost perfectly and the voltage/amperage requirement is exactly the same. Walthers has a 20 pack on sale right now for $15.98, part# 475-1800120.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/475-1800120

 

[NYSW F45]

are there any led bulbs that are 1.5v? i have a project im working on and i want install 4 red led's or even grain of wheat bulbs.

 

[MGWSY]

are there any led bulbs that are 1.5v? i have a project im working on and i want install 4 red led's or even grain of wheat bulbs.

Whats your plan. I have done stuff with LEDs in the past and might be able to help. Only problem I have noticed with Bulbs is if you run your stuff on different layouts and the track voltage is different then either the lights will be dim or to bright and blow. Had both happen before so I use LED's now.

 

[NYSW F45]

Whats your plan. I have done stuff with LEDs in the past and might be able to help. Only problem I have noticed with Bulbs is if you run your stuff on different layouts and the track voltage is different then either the lights will be dim or to bright and blow. Had both happen before so I use LED's now.

thats exactly what i plan on doing but on the AMD-103/P40 from athearn. 2 engines will be getting the motors swapped out and have the newer style athearn motors put in with the dcc/lightboard already wires up. I want red markers on the front and rear of both. And will need markers on 2 shells i'll be working on.

 

[Larry]

There's all kinds of stuff about LED's on the internet that I've been looking up. How to's, pictures about wiring, adding resistors. The guys on this forum will help you too.
This season(winter) I'm going to start putting LED's in all my engines for markers & headlites. That's the only way to go. Bulbs don't last like LED's. Most LED's are brighter too. Like the idea of using fiber Optics too. Going to work w/FO's a lot because I have a lot of that stuff.

Larry