Lionel Heavyweight Pullman With LEDS: Strip or Bulb

Its easier with the bayonette bulb because you are just replacing the bulb instead of tearing apart the car, cutting into the electrical line to add the protect and power circuit that will power the led strip. You also have to figure out a way to mount the strip to the roof then reassemble to car and being carefull no wires/circuits show in the windows when reassembled.

The car on the left in the photo has LED bayonet bulbs from Town and Country.  The dim and bright spots are obvious.  The car on the right has LED strip lights and a LM2596 AC/DC buck converter from eBay for ~$2.50, which didn't require soldering.  (Click on the image to enlarge.)

Not much difference in the work involved in either lighting solution since you need to open the cars with either one--or to use @prrhorseshoecurve's dramatic verbiage, you'll be "tearing apart the car" whether you use individual bulbs or LED strips.

@Pingman posted:

The car on the left in the photo has LED bayonet bulbs from Town and Country.  The dim and bright spots are obvious.  The car on the right has LED strip lights and a LM2596 AC/DC buck converter from eBay for ~$2.50, including those that don't require soldering.

Not much difference in the work involved in either lighting solution since you need to open the cars with either one--or to use @prrhorseshoecurve's dramatic verbiage, you'll be "tearing apart the car" whether you use individual bulbs or strip lights.

Based on the photo above I think the strip is the way to go.  They certainly look better using the LED strip.  The small amount of extra work pays off in dividends IMO.

A no-brainer for me, I think the strips give you much better lighting.  Of course, I would be remiss if I don't recommend my LED driver modules.   They run from AC or DC track power, offer adjustable intensity, flicker-free lighting, and DCS signal protection.

And another couple of features of the LED strips/regulators:  no flicker and adjustable brightness.

And you may choose a different LED color for older passenger cars instead of the warm white many use in lightweight cars; e.g., yellow.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

A no-brainer for me, I think the strips give you much better lighting.  Of course, I would be remiss if I don't recommend my LED driver modules.   They run from AC or DC track power, offer adjustable intensity, flicker-free lighting, and DCS signal protection.

John, if you ever get a chance to view one of the new Lionel heavyweights - Polar Express, Friendship, etc - I would be interested in knowing which of your LED colors would be a match. I’m going to convert my black roof PolEx cars to LEDs and would like them to match the new add-on cars (hobo and sleeper). Thanks ahead of time.