Fitting directional lighting to an old Lima diesel

My first attempt to install LED directional lights to an old Lima diesel. There is quite a lot of experimenting and bodgelling along the way but the end result was.....

[@spiralfirst6488]

Excellent. I like the methodical approach and presentation, and it's good to watch a video that treats viewers as normal people rather than technical experts.

[@KV12543]

Thanks for your kind comments... I had wondered if my approach was too simplistic but then this was my first time of fitting LEDs to a loco and as you can see I am no expert...just a happy bodgeller, Regards Keith

[@spiralfirst6488]

@@KV12543 It worked nicely. I certainly don't think I could do such a good job, but it's interesting to watch.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Thank you for this video. I have a BR blue Lima 33 and I have always liked the look of it and wondered how to make the lights work. Now I know. Excellent. Also thank you for the video about the flush glazing. I will certainly be fitting some in due course. 😊

[@KV12543]

Glad the videos help and good luck with your class 33, Regards Keith

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@KV12543 Thanks, I've ordered the LEDs.

[@donniblanco5239]

Very Good - Almost Simple enough for me to follow - I might even have a bash at that, cheers 👍🏻

[@KV12543]

Go on, try it, Regards Keith

[@gs425]

Keith I am more than happy to offer my services when it comes to electronics. I need to say that leds don't enjoy reverse bias. So what you have done is liable to failure at higher track voltage
The way around that is to mount them in inverse pairs. The working one then protects the reverse biased one. It means you only need 2 resistors in this application not 4. Let me know if you need more of an explanation.

[@KV12543]

Thanks for that...all very interesting as all this electronic stuff is new to me. DCC concepts briefly mentioned reverse bias in the instructions which accompany their LEDs but in relation to AC not DC current so I had ignored it. I will make further investigations before my next project and may well yet come back to you for more advice, Regards Keith

[@gs425]

@KV12543 Yes although leds are diodes, they don't enjoy reverse volts. So you either use another diode instead series, or the trick I mentioned of wiring both whites back to back and both reds back to back. That means the operating one protects the off one. It's a pleasure to help. Incidentally, are you anywhere near Dorset? You welcome to pop in if you are and ill take you through it over a cuppa

[@KV12543]

Thanks again for your help....i am a lot wiser now. I will have to turn the offer of a cuppa as I live in Devon , Regards Keith@@gs425

[@TrentonLightninghammer]

I managed to get a working headlamp on a Hornby 0-4-0 Santa's express for less than $2 for my Christmas layout. Big Bertha beacon style headlamp, but as the loco isnt really prototypical, but a resounding success for cheap proving it's possible.
Would love to see you do something similar to this video but on one of your two already modified 0-4-0 steam engines.

[@KV12543]

Well done for getting a working lamp on such a small engine....I may try to modify my 0 4 0 tanks and fit a flickering smoke box glow....we shall see, depending how difficult it is and how much room there is, Regards Keith

[@henrybest4057]

I have just ordered, from China, some bidirectional red/white tower LEDs to do my lima class 33s. They will let me have both lights working at each end. When the "slow boat" arrives, I'll let you know how I got on with them.

[@KV12543]

I look forward to that...if the boat doesn't arrive in time, DCC concepts also sell red/white 2mm tower LEDs...I purchased some for a possible future project on a Hornby HST, Regards Keith

[@User-3O3]

Looks fantastic. I wish I had your patience when it comes to electronics but I find them such a turn off.

[@KV12543]

I tend to agree, electronics are not my thing either, Regards Keith

[@williamsworkshopuk]

so one colour on each side, rather than both lights being red or white? Is that true?

[@KV12543]

For diesel locos in the early '60s period I am modelling...yes.... but for DMUs EMUs and shunters probably not. The subject seems to be rather confused and it is hard to get a definite answer of what lights were used on what types of motive power and when! Photos of ones chosen prototype are very useful here but unfortunately the early lights were rather dim and also not many photos were taken after dark. Regards Keith

[@williamsworkshopuk]

@KV12543 thank you chum! I’m looking at doing some lighting on a 24 and 17 in the late 60’s/early 70’s so imagine similar?