Headlight LED color?

[Diesel-Electric]

Hello there!


I'm installing constant brightness/directional headlights to my diesel locomotives.

I'm modeling a generic American branch line, era 2005-present, which employs 2nd generation diesels (GP38s, 40s etc etc) and I'm installing LED bulbs for the headlights. I like to know, what color LEDs should I install? Sunny white or golden white?


Thanks in advance!


Diesel-Electric.

 

[jdetray]

I don't know the proper color for the headlights, but anyone installing "white" LEDs should check out this web page: What Color Is White?

- Jeff

 

[kjd]

I use sunny whites. A color temp of about 3200 Kelvin is ideal for incandescent bulbs. The blueish white LEDs are around 5600 Kelvin. I get them from digikey and they were less than $.50 each for .06 x .10 surface mounts. They are similar to the ones a hobby supplier sells for $3.50 each.

 

[diburning]

Any off-color white LEDs can be fixed by dipping them in Tamiya Clear Orange paint

 

[Diesel-Electric]

Hello there!


Thanks for your input people! I've decided to install sunny-white LEDs to my locomotive headlights with the constant brightness/directional circuits.

I'll post a few pictures when time permits!


Take care!


Diesel-Electric.

 

[Diesel-Electric]

Bachmann GP40 with constant brightness/directional head lights

Here are some shots of my HO scale Bachmann GP40 upgraded with constant brightness/directional head lights.

Shots are from it running on my new layout.

Next year or so, this locomotive will be converted to a GP38-3. (HLCX 1010 with the patched UP livery).

Will be my last upgrade project for some time to come as I'm having family matters to attained to.

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

Do you know how many Kelvin that is on those? Im modeling modern era as well, those are a touch on the blue side for what im looking for. Im glad this is brought up though, ive been doing the best I can to research what the proper kelvin and type of white LEDs would be for todays locomotives.

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

I don't know the proper color for the headlights, but anyone installing "white" LEDs should check out this web page: What Color Is White?

- Jeff

Ive been searching for years now on the best looking white LED that would look right and was thinking that perhaps someone should do an article excactly like this person did. Its almost as if this was taken right out of my head and answers all the questions I have always had about what LEDs look right and what doesnt. I was ready to start doing my own sort of article similiar to that had I known more on how to light that many LEDs for one article. Let alone getting one to work. This guy gets two thumbs up from me for this one.

Boy will this article help a lot of people out that want to get the right looking lights in thier locomotives without having to spend 3 bucks each on LEDs. Which I just find is a ludicris price to pay IMO per LED. A very well dont article with pictures to show all the common available LEDs out there and a chart of opinions on how well each one looks.

Thank you so much for posting that article.