I have an Accucraft Short Caboose I would like to convert to battery lighting. I removed the power pick ups long ago, but would kind of like to be able to light the markers.
It looks like just 4 screws under the floor and watch out for ladders. Is that it or are their hidden dangers?
if I remember, it tabs over the floor and I think it was painted shut.
Terry
Jon Radder said:
I have an Accucraft Short Caboose I would like to convert to battery lighting. I removed the power pick ups long ago, but would kind of like to be able to light the markers.
It looks like just 4 screws under the floor and watch out for ladders. Is that it or are their hidden dangers?
Jon,
Opening an Accucraft shorty caboose can be an adventure the first time. Remove the four screws in the floor. Then CAREFULLY lift the body (including the roof) just enough to pull the top ladder stems from the roof holes. This is where most people BREAK a ladder or the handrails! Carefully slide the body toward the FRONT of the caboose (that’s the end AWAY from the marker lamps). This is about 3/4" to 1". Now lift the body and roof up and away from the frame and trucks. Moving the body forward allow you to clear the tabs of the body away from the bench seats on the floor frame. Difficult to explain. Hope you can figure this out from this note. Good luck with the battery install. I have a very old post from the early 2000’s from MLS where a battery install and interior work was explained very well. If you need that, I can email it.
Thanks Terry & Gary. I’m sure I can figure out the mod without instructions once I get it open but looking over someone else’s ideas couldn’t hurt. jon (at) cvsry.com
Hey Jon
Don’t know if this will help but I wanted to operate the lights and smoke in my Aristo caboose. Since there really isn’t any room for a battery I cut the wires from the trucks, hooked them up to a CON_240 connector and ran it to car fwd of the caboose with a battery installed.
Lou
Which caboose are you referring to? I have both brass and plastic (AMS) I would also like to convert to batteries
Rick
I need to open up my brass one to glue the windows back in. The factory glue melted when I ran it outside…
I have the discontinued plastic short caboose - RGS prototype…
I’m thinking if I convert the markers to LED it will run a long time off a pair of Alkaline AA.
Robbie,
Brass accucraft cabooses have lots of metric hex bolts on bottom( 4 per side)
remove them and unhook ladders and lift straight off.
Beware of short wires from marker lamps to regulator board
Don’t use ACC or krazy glue on windows as you will get a white frost on windows.
While youre inside add a bulb to interior, it looks better at nite. Bulbs and regulators were 1.5 or 5 volt
check to get right bulb.
Dave
Interesting thread, Jon.
I’m gonna grab one of mine and investigate lighting it up.