Headlight out on PS2 Loco

quote:

Changed the bayonet type bulb with a new one, I only had a 24V bulb so that's what I used.

I believe the headlight circuit is around 5 volts. I'm not sure if a 24 volt bulb would even light up. You've pretty well have covered all the bases though.

Gregg is mostly right. It's 6 volts.

Is the bulb a special 6V bulb for that loco?

A GE or other manufacture #51 bulb will work. A slighty brighter bulb would be an original type from MTH.

Would this automotive bulb work?

http://www.elightbulbs.com/cat...pingCSE&prod=SL35763

As Chuck says, the #51 bulb is widely available and probably under $1 at an auto shop or lamp store.

If you can't find it, look for a "BA9S" bayonet base which is 9mm across the metal base. It can't just be any 6V bulb. The power needs to be in the 1-2 Watts range if that's the only spec they give. The Sylvania bulb mentioned above has the right bayonet base and the power is correct but the bulb portion may be too tall for the lower front hood on F-units(?)

To your point, it is possible for just the transistor that drives the headlight to go out while all the other lights continue working. The repair would be to swap the transistor as there is not a replaceable constant-voltage board per se.

Thank you all for your responses, Chuck and stan2004, I'll try the 6V bulb from an auto parts store and see if that works, I'll report back later.

Joe