O- Gauge, battery powered lighting kits

Mike WyattOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I wanted no-flicker lighting in my Lionel Aluminum Congressional cars. After looking for a way- I happened upon "Dr. Bob's" kits- he sells a variety of kits that are marketed (mostly) for the smaller scales- N, HO, and (some) O. I bought the S/O constant lighting kit. Not being an electronic guru- and since Radio Shack is no longer available to me- buying such a kit was better for me. I was sold fully after I saw what the kits included. In the envelope, each kit includes great instructions, plus everything you need except solder and some way of mounting the battery (I used velcro).

The kits include 3 LED's (plus one extra in case you blow one), the correct resistor, the on/off slide switch, the 9V battery connector, wire, shrink tubing and some tape for the lighting strip (that you make from scrap polystyrene). AND- at only $ 4.50 plus shipping (mail), are the most cost-effective way I have seen to do constant lighting on 3-rail trains. The 9V battery will operate for (he says) 70 hours of running (or three days if you forget to turn it off).

I installed them, and they work great. A couple of tips- the setup is specifically designed for 9V DC battery power, and for the three LED's included. I tried to add a 4th LED- and it wouldn't light. After trying everything I could think of- I wrote an e-Mail to Dr. Bob, and he told me the system was designed for the 9V, and the 9V would not support the 4th LED.

So- his customer support is also terrific. And I am glad I used velcro to attach the battery- so, after 70 hours running, I just remove one end, change the battery, and put it back together.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/O-Sca...6:g:rsoAAOSwWfda13BG

His "Model Train Sounds" Website: modeltrainsounds.com

Highly recommended!!

4/24/188:13 AM

❤️ 0

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

It's not hard to get flicker-free lighting that never needs a battery. In addition, I like a lot more than three LED's to light a whole passenger car.

Passenger Car LED Lighting Kit

LED Lighting Regulator

4/24/189:48 AM

❤️ 0

Mike WyattOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Update 2020: I am now reworking these cars, adding MTH interiors w/ inexpensive figures and Royz Trains LED kits.

The Royz sets work well. They light at about 5-6 volts DC. The lights are nice, bright, and all have worked fine. Light intensity is also adjustable but I have left them as they came- all seem to be set alike. There are no Royz sets "stock" that are made for cars of this short length, so I have to cut them down and made jumper wires. There is also a height issue between how the MTH interiors fit and the lighting strips on the car's ceiling.

The MTH interiors were the only ones I could find that did not involve using separate seats to make up the interiors (ugh! as to effort and cost). So I ordered them from the MTH Parts Department.

I cut them down the middle (to reduce width), sand then glue the halves back together and add a styrene strip down the aisle to cover the seam. I also have to shorten them to fit the available length and reduce the height of the partitions in the moldings. Paint, glue a reasonable number of figures into the seats, and they look pretty good, to my eye.

It takes me about 3-4 hours per car, ignoring the time for paint to dry.