Hi All, Would anyone happen to know of a good simple wiring diagram to install directional LED front and rear headlights.? My project loco is a postwar GP-7 with one pullmor motor and an ACRU electronic reverse unit. I'm assuming I would tap off the motor circuit? (This loco is also getting an electronic horn and a Williams Atlantic Coast Line GP-9 shell) Thanks so much!
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You can do directional headlights with AC motors, they work best with LED's.
Wire an LED and a 680 ohm resistor from each of the armature connections to the track center roller power. One LED will light in forward, the other in reverse. Track power goes from the E-Unit through the armature, then the field, to frame ground (wheels). In one direction, each LED will have the voltage across the motor windings across the LED, the other one will have no voltage differential.
Shazam, directional lights.
Thanks so much - can't wait to get started! I just wish I had enough room to squeeze a smoke unit in there too!
Gunrunner, one thing -- I just noticed you mentioned e-unit. Is the circuit still ok when using an acru in lieu of an e-unit/
It should work fine, the electronic boards do the same function. I confess to having never tried it, but I can't imagine why it wouldn't work.
351 DD-1,
gunrunnerjohn knows what he's talking about. He helped me out when I did this last year, although it was just the factory E-Unit. Worked out well!