does anyone know a way to connect an LEd to the Reverse Unit so that a Backup Light in the tender can be turned on when the locomotive is put in Reverse but out when the Locomotive is running forward.
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Conventional or command? What specific locomotive are we talking about? Electronic or mechanical reverse unit?
You can do this in most environments, but we need to know specifics of what we're modifying. 
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Conventional or command? What specific locomotive are we talking about? Electronic or mechanical reverse unit?
You can do this in most environments, but we need to know specifics of what we're modifying.
Williams 2-6-4 Girls set Engine and A Williams 4-8-4 GS-4 Both Are Conventional the Reversing units are Electronic
Those are pretty simple. You will need a tether between the locomotive and the tender unless the reverse unit is in the tender. Just wire across the motor leads with a diode of the correct polarity, a resistor for current limiting, and the LED. I'd probably start with a 330 ohm resistor for a white LED, a standard 1N4003 diode will do the trick.
For diesels, you can do directional lights the same way.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Those are pretty simple. You will need a tether between the locomotive and the tender unless the reverse unit is in the tender. Just wire across the motor leads with a diode of the correct polarity, a resistor for current limiting, and the LED. I'd probably start with a 330 ohm resistor for a white LED, a standard 1N4003 diode will do the trick.
For diesels, you can do directional lights the same way.
John I have Evans Universal LED's hook to track power and go
how would one of these be wired in
What particular Diode would be needed
I Am An Electrical ID10T Here
Well, the Evans universal LED's are not suited for this task, they have a bridge rectifier and so will not be directional. You need a plain white LED (perhaps warm white), the 330 ohm resistor, and the diode. The diode is connected across the LED in the reverse direction for reverse voltage protection, and the resistor is in series with the LED/Diode pair.
Here's a wiring diagram.
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Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Well, the Evans universal LED's are not suited for this task, they have a bridge rectifier and so will not be directional. You need a plain white LED (perhaps warm white), the 330 ohm resistor, and the diode. The diode is connected across the LED in the reverse direction for reverse voltage protection, and the resistor is in series with the LED/Diode pair.
Here's a wiring diagram.
Thank you John I appreciate all your help and others
Let us know if you have any more questions.
