Large Scale Central

Aristo Heavyweight Diner Lighting ?

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

I recently acquired a set of Aristocraft Pennsylvania heavyweights, new in box (but old - grey boxes,) to go with my K4. The first one I took out was the Diner, as it has a rattle; something large is loose inside.

I checked on the dismantling instructions (Rayman4449 has a detailed page,) and it was as I recalled - two screws each end needing a long screwdriver, and tabs in the center. However, this is my first diner, and I happened to notice his comments about lighted LED table lamps, as well as the overhead incandescent bulbs. He indicates the table LEDs only light at about 16V whereas the overhead bulbs are already overloaded, being 14V rated.

I’m not using track power so I often install a battery. A 9V usually does the job for 12V bulbs or strings of 12V LEDs. But I’m scratching my head at these table LEDs. Can I use a voltage regulator/doubler to run them off 9V? (You can tell I am not an electronic engineer.)

Has anyone fitted up a heavyweight diner with LEDs and a battery - and if so what did you use? Any suggestions welcome.

#2

I replaced the overhead bulbs with LEDs, those bulbs burned hot and used a lot of current. I have not attacked the table lamps, but being LEDs, you could definitely re-wire them to work on lower voltage… unfortunately I think the wiring for the table lamps is in the “sandwich” in the floor… there’s a circuit board in there… breaking it out is tough. (that’s why I have not done it yet).

Changing out the bulbs in the roof was quite gratifying, the old bulbs were uneven and had hot spots and you could see the bulbs through the windows:

going to the low profile LED strip, evens out the light and they do not show through the windows

#3

I have not converted the fleet, and because I will purchase the USAT cars, I may not keep them all… I can see that I need to cut the light down, since it is overpowering the table lamps. This was a quick and dirty, 2 strips of 12v lamps in series, and I have 24v on the rails, so they are pretty much at full brightness… I’ll bet if I used 3 strips and put in series it would be just about right.

The “LED tape” is pretty darn cheap and you can get it in warm white… usually a 3 meter long reel…

Greg

#4

Pete Thornton said:

I recently acquired a set of Aristocraft Pennsylvania heavyweights, new in box (but old - grey boxes,) to go with my K4. The first one I took out was the Diner, as it has a rattle; something large is loose inside.

Any suggestions welcome.

Mine also develop “something large loose inside.” Turn the car around from the picture and check to see if all three “roof vents” are still in place. If you push on these, they can pop out of place to the inside of the car.

#5

My coach had a rattle, it turned out that the commode was in the isle way, free to wander about in the car. That’s just a sh crappy situation.

#6

The “LED tape” is pretty darn cheap and you can get it in warm white…

Yes, I have several reels - in my MD home. I’ll have to order some more.

I won’t be taking the roof off for a few days, so I don’t know what’s rattling. I think it’s fairly large - maybe the serving counter or similar.

#7

Pete Thornton said:

I don’t know what’s rattling. I think it’s fairly large - maybe the serving counter or similar.

Open the end doors and shake it out

#8

" Rooster " said:

Pete Thornton said:

I don’t know what’s rattling. I think it’s fairly large - maybe the serving counter or similar.

Open the end doors and shake it out

I could, but it can wait until I deal with the lighting and couplers.

#9

Pete Thornton said:

" Rooster " said:

Pete Thornton said:

I don’t know what’s rattling. I think it’s fairly large - maybe the serving counter or similar.

I could, but it can wait until I deal with the lighting and couplers.

If you put truck-mount Kadees on, cut the truck mounts as short as possible while still allowing the couplers to mount. This will help with tight radii (e.g., back-to-back 8’ diameter turnouts).

#10

my observation car had the toilet seat installed backwards!

#11

If you put truck-mount Kadees on, cut the truck mounts as short as possible while still allowing the couplers to mount. This will help with tight radii (e.g., back-to-back 8’ diameter turnouts).

No KDs for me. I usually cut back the tongue and bolt the original couplers back on. Aristo couplers work fine, and the consist is not going to get shunted around any live steam layout that I know of!

And I don’t do 8’ diameter with an Accucraft K4, although I believe it will. 20’ is more like it.

#12

Greg Elmassian said:

my observation car had the toilet seat installed backwards!

Ats dem Chinese fur ya.

#13

The toilet seat orientation may not be the only issue!

-Ted

#14

The toilet seat orientation may not be the only issue!

That’s correct. George Schreyer has this photo of the toilet in a Pullman, where the wall completely blocks the end door!

#15

(https://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg)

(https://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg)http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg

Can’t seem to embed it…

Greg

#16

 

 

 

#17

Greg Elmassian said:

(https://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg)

(https://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg)http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg

Can’t seem to embed it…

Greg

My post has the photo embedded. What’s the problem?

#18

Pete Thornton said:

Greg Elmassian said:

(https://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg)

(https://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg)http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips2/hw_pullman_interior.jpg

Can’t seem to embed it…

Greg

My post has the photo embedded. What’s the problem?

The “Problem” is George’s toilet seat is on backwards as well and so is Ted’s and so are the one’s that I have. From this evaluation I suspect a toilet seat installed correctly is pretty rare? Also suspecting that if you decide to open the door and shake the rattle out of the car end you might end up with a toilet in your hand. I know I have twice with my Aristo Heavyweights.

This post has been edited by: Rooster

#19

Pete, if you sign into LSC with http:// you can see the picture in your post

… I use https:// to protect my password, and other protection. with https, the picture in your post does not show.

I was trying to add the https:// to the link to George’s picture and it would not show (most likely an issue at his site)

Greg

#20