Large Scale Central

OK? , 5v bulb into Stainz 20211 #3

Problem Solving
#1

I noticed the front headlight on the Stainz #3 (20211) was burnt out (thin bulb round top–24v? ) but the similiar one in back was still working directionally ! I replaced the front with a 5v (p/n 5051/1) and noticed it sure burns brightly but going backwards the original 24v (?) just glows very lightly and the front 5v similiar low orangey glow.

Will swap out the rear to see if the matching voltage bulbs allows the directional tech to work properly.

Major question is — for this 20211 stainz is the original bulbs seemingly 24v (?) required to run properly and safely as designed. Or 5v installed both F/R, just as fine long term ?

Indoors the track is powered with a lgb starter set transformer ! Might they blow if running on track which acquires up to 23v outside ??

Thanks for your time.
Doug C

p.s. the reason the Stainz came out of the enginehouse in the first place, I was chatting with another G-gauge enthusiast on the phone who it seems is looking for replacement wheel gears for his red chassised Stainz that were stripped by over-excited kids playing holding onto the engine under power and the gears became stripped. He chkd with a regional lgb reseller but they did not have any, new engine is at premo hi-pricepoint. At first I was thinking of selling him my engine but then realized why I bought it in the first place – powerful little engine can be a decent yard engine for the RBR ! Now I have tell him sorry I remembered why … and help him source some new gears !

#2

Doug, the old LGB orange 18-volt bulbs screwed into a socket.

(http://www.train-li-usa.com/store/images/68501yellow%20screw%20bulb.jpg)

The new clear 5-volt or 24-volt bulbs are the 2-pin type. For LGB parts, Train-Li USA has a good stock. http://www.train-li-usa.com The parts are stocked by the model number and the number of the part off the exploded parts diagram in the Service Manuals. The Service and Instruction Manuals for LGB equipment can be downloaded from the FGB site in Germany. http://fgb-berlin.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=49

#3

Thanks Paul

The headlights for this Stainz (which was out of their 1998 30th anniversary set) was the 2pin style !

You’re an electronics whiz what happens with this one 5v and another seemingly 24v combo ?

I actually picked up the Stainz along with the 4 mini-skelton cars, at a local G-gauge flavoured swap meet from someone who was downsizing about 6 yrs ago !

I was wondering where the online tech pages were online ! :slight_smile:

later,
Doug C

#4

I have never seen a manufacturer put two different voltages of headlight bulbs in a locomotive.

If it is a 5 volt system, there usually would be a voltage regulator on a circuit board to protect the bulbs. A 24 volt bulb should just glow in a 5 volt system.

If the bulbs are supposed to be 24 volts, they wouldn’t need electronics to protect them as it would be highly unlikely that a Stainz would be run on that high a voltage. 5 volt bulbs would shine brightly, but not for long.

If you are getting a light shining brightly in one direction and glowing in another, it sounds like a diode to limit the current to one direction is failing.

All this assumes that previous owners have not messed with the electronics.

I would try two 24 bulbs first. If they both just glow in both directions, then you might try the 5 volt bulbs. But perhaps they are supposed to just glow to represent old lamps.

#5

Thanks Paul;

LOL I was just looking at that engine an hour ago finished reinserting the 5v bulb into the headlight assembly and was lookin’ at how to access the back headlight assembly. Which was not just a pull down and out as the front is So as it would have req’d a bit of time (at least an hour) to hit the right disassembly screws.

Someone on another site thread mentioned this lgb sitepage, http://fgb-berlin.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=49for tech dwgs but the closest for this engine is the 2020
http://fgb-berlin.de/products/Lokomotiven/2020-1.PDF which I believe is one of the earliest models with even the screw-in bulbs !

I’ll maybe have time to pull it apart in the new year but for now will let it glow…let it glow…let it glow :wink:

nite,
doug c

#6

All the service manuals seem to indicate one small screw holds the rear headlight on. If the exploded parts diagrams are right, you should be able to see it from the rear of the cab. Remove that screw and lift the headlight off. It looks like the bulb will just pull out the bottom.

#7

Look at a LGB pin style bulb and if it has a flat top it is 5 volt, round top is 24 volt.

Screw in bulbs are 18 volt and have an orange tint.

Train-Li sells screw in clear bulbs at 18 and 24 volt.

I lighten the orange colored bulb with a paper towel and alcohol.