I have read on numerous blogs about the value of using LED's as opposed to the customary lighting. I would like to begin by converting all of my MTH Real Trax switch controls to LEDs. Is this possible and where is the best places to acquire the replacement LED's? Thanks for any leads!
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You might try here for LED replacement bulbs.
I have no MTH Realtrax switches, so no idea what they use for lighting, but if they have LED bulbs you can use to replace the originals, that would be the easiest way.
I have ordered from this supplier a few times with good results each time.
There are also other places that offer replacement LED bulbs, maybe some other forum members will be along shortly with more suppliers for you to check out. This is the only place I have ordered from, so can't speak for any others.
thanks rtr for the site.
I'm fairly certain the bulbs and mating sockets are identical to those used in Realtrax lock-ons. A while back I did a conversion of the incandescent lock-on bulb to an LED array.
I do NOT recommend this as a DIY project. I am posting this so someone might recognize the bulb type and be able to suggest an off-the-shelf LED replacement. The photo shows the 3/16" diameter bulb which mounts into a Christmas-light type holder (green plastic piece in photo) with bent wires. It then press-fits into the lock-on socket.
I posted a complete how-to in the O gauge LED archive here and it does provide a hefty power reduction (1 Watt to 1/10 Watt).
That's a cool way to do that Stan. Why don't you recommend this as a DIY project, looks pretty easy?
That's a cool way to do that Stan. Why don't you recommend this as a DIY project, looks pretty easy?
It's been a few years since I did it and I recall it was tedious working with the surface-mount LEDs. So my eyesight has certainly not improved since then but I gave it another go with the same design but with the 4 LEDs pointing upwards as needed for the Realtrax switch control box.
The electrical power savings is the same as for the lock-on.
What's amusing is these LEDs are even cheaper now at less than 3 cents a piece when you buy the common 300-LED strip roll. So while the parts cost for 4 LEDs plus resistor is only 10-15 cents, I re-confirmed today that the labor/time factor is the gotcha! I think most guys might get frustrated working with the tiny components and would rather just buy. Hopefully some supplier now sells AC-track-voltage LEDs with the compatible connector housing.
If you're not comfortable with working with the SMT LED's, I can see your point. I use them in lighting conversions, sometimes I have very little space, and they work great in those places.
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