Does anyone have any advice on a simple way to convert the lighting in a set of Streamliners to battery power? Would self-contained AAA batteries w/ LEDs be best, or using the existing lighting w/DPDT switches [track/battery]? If using the existing lighting, would it be better to battery power each car individually, or MU the cars together with one car holding a bigger battery? Although my home layout uses battery power, I sometimes visit layouts that are track powered.
Thanks,
JimC.
Initially I would put batteries in the combine/baggage, with small plugs between cars, and use existing lights to see how it works.
If you really want to retain track power as an option, then yes, switches, BUT:
You gott make sure you throw EVERY ONE or a crossed plug (immaterial to battery in this application) can FRY the wiring, or if polarity is correct, one switch wrong and you could blow the battery up.
TOC
Jim ,
I would go with Dave on this , being very careful never to put myself in the position where I could blow up my bright bits by forgetting a switch . You would be best advised to NOT switch it at all , I think Dave was being unusually restrained when he said "if you must " . If it works on battery without track power , why risk it ?
Mike
Thanks Dave and Mike,
In two words… SOLD AMERICAN!!! oops! sorry Mike.
I am convinced that putting in switches is unnecessary and potentially disasterous. Therefore I will follow the suggested KISS principal and go with battery only, connectors between cars, and either low watage incandescents or better yet, LEDs.
JimC.
Hee,he heh,hey–better than sold a pup !
Mike
Jim, I did the battery with connectors between cars and am very happy with the installation. I used a 12V battery installed in the slightly modified RPO. the battery is 10,000mAh as each car draws about 1Amp. I also beefed up the wires along the bottom of each car as the car carring the battery will have to pass the entire load (6 amps for 6 cars, etc) and so on down the line. I think you will be even happier with the cars after the mod. Nick Jr
…ask yourself …"How often do I run the cars at night ? "…then figure how simple can I make it…probably by then you will have just gone with batteries in each car, avoiding jacks/plugs/connectors, between cars.
I see a lot of people with lights blazing away during daylight running; drawing power that could better be used in powering the loco. Then at night; the lights only prove that most cars have no-one in them…
There is the other odd phenomina that seems to indicate more “Twitiness” out there…lights in the cabs of locos. If the lights are on in the cab of a loco; it ruins any night vision an engineer or crew have, in order to see the road ahead. But…the twits demand cab lights and the manufacturers all give them what they want, along with smoke units belching white smoke from… Deseasels.
Fr.Fred
Fred ,
I confess to being a little disappointed in you . I am surprised that you of all people should ridicule people for playing with trains–we all do it . As it happens , no cab lights are fitted in my rosters . But I think I would be a bit offended if I had and used them as you said .
Mike
…ahhhh, Mike, me fine son…
It seems I disapoint a lot of people…now I’ve gone and disapointed you.
I guess it’s almost time to change my ways, and start “Playing”, in spite of myself…or was that “With myself ?” !!!
Fr.Fred
The Sierra passenger consist that is being replaced by the streamliners had almost 50% of their running hours either in deep shade or at night. The Wichita GRS does several exihibitions that run during evening/nightitime hours. By the way, the Sierras have had figures placed in the coaches and on the deck of the Observation. During the Botanical Gardens Luminaries display [Polar Express theme] I took the roof off one combine to show kids the children figures inside along with the baggage area full of presents. Frequently, during family gatherings, we run long into the night. All of my structures are also lighted. Layout at 5:PM on Summer day.
Botanical Gardens Luminaries.
JimC.
The point is Fred , how’s the driver supposed to read his newspaper ?
Mike