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6 replies

Red Caboose GP-9

TP Tom PlattenOGR Forum Member

I have a new acquired Red Caboose GP-9. It is a beautiful kit. I had my close friend Tim put it together for and paint it Santa Fe Zebra. He did not hook up the headlights--leaving that to me! I discovered a circuit board. If this board doe nothing except control the lights, I would rather eliminate and wire the headlights directly to the motor leads. This locomotive basically has the old Atlas mechanism and I would rather keep it as simple as possible! I run strictly an analog power system for all my trains so circuit boards are generally unwanted! Is there any reason--other than lighting why the board cannot be eliminated?

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Y YvesOGR Forum Member

The circuit board will likely turn off the headlight when in reverse. I seem to remember that it has some diodes on it.

I would keep the circuit board as it will protect the bulb from over-voltage and spikes generated by the motor. The diodes provides a drop of 0.7 volt each on the voltage fed to the bulb.

I worked a long time ago on such unit and DCCed it entirely. You may want to check the axles and look for split plastic gears, which is a very common issue on these old models. North West Short Line used to sell a replacement set with four axles for less than $50.

Good luck.

Yves

Last edited by Yves
P prrjimOGR Forum Member

The bulbs with the loco are probably 1.5v and the board probably steps down the voltage to that level.   It is pretty easy to do with diodes.

I don't what GOW bulbs are, but be careful about heat.    The Red Caboose model is styrene with a fairly low melting point.    If the bulbs get too hot, they distort or melt the shell.   

My recommendation is go with LEDs for the lights and just wire a resistor in series with the LED.     LEDs are polarity sensitive, they only light in one direction giving you automatic reverse lighting.     They are also do not get hot.

The second idea is to use the included 1.5V bulbs and circuit board to keep the heat down.

 

SundayShunterSundayShunterOGR Forum Member

The circuit board controls the directional lighting, & gives constant brightness from very low speed. 

Connect the bulbs direct to the pick ups by all means, they'll work for a very brief nano-second, then never again....

I have yet to DCC mine, but will likely replace the bulbs & board with LEDs & resistors when I do - it seems the most straightforward option.

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