Signal Bridge Update

I don't know if you SHOULD, but you certainly CAN. Lionel sold the #450L separate sale signal head for exactly this purpose:

I seen that also in the manual also, but it only shows 2 heads. I am rebuilding one and was thinking of putting 4 heads 2 in each direction.

Yes. The configuration shown works fine with four heads. The requisite mounting slots for the extra heads were provided on both sides.

Thanks Pete, Now all I have to do is figure out how to wire the 2 new heads in. I don't think I can jump off the power from the 2 that are there now. But then again I don't know, I am still learning the electrical part of this stuff.

Each head has three two wires: RED, and GREEN, and COMMON. (I am not saying the the WIRES are red and green, rather that they CONTROL the red and green lamps).  You can connect all the COMMONs wires together via the frame. But you will have to run new wires for each RED and GREEN (at least you will if you want to control them separately). You COULD connect all three together, but then both heads would show the same aspect.

Thanks Pete, sounds easy enough! I will let you know how it goes!

Avanti posted:

Each head has three wires: RED, GREEN, and COMMON. (I am not saying the the WIRES are red and green, rather that they CONTROL the red and green lamps).

There are no common wires. The signal heads are grounded to the metal frame of the bridge, which is common.

ADCX Rob posted:

Avanti posted:

Each head has three wires: RED, GREEN, and COMMON. (I am not saying the the WIRES are red and green, rather that they CONTROL the red and green lamps).

There are no common wires. The signal heads are grounded to the metal frame of the bridge, which is common.

Oops!  Yes, you are absolutely right. Sorry about that. Fixed.

If you need extra Lionel #450L signal light heads, I have three for sale...all in factory new [C-9] condition. Contact me at bobg100@msn.com.

Thanks for the information guys.

Bob, I thank you for the offer, but  I already bought some from Elliot AKA (big_boy_4005)

Got the 2 signal heads from Big_Boy_4005 today so I went a head and cleaned all the parts, took them to the shop and repainted them, as soon as the paint dries, probably tomorrow I will start wiring them.

Since you painted the heads, and since (as we have determined) the heads get their grounds from contact with the frame of the bridge, be sure that you scrape away some paint at the point of contact between the two. The original blackened surface is not paint and is conductive, so you need to attend to the difference. You MIGHT get adequate conduction through just the screw, but it is at least something to keep in mind if you have issues.

Pete is right about the paint being a problem with common for the bulbs. I do like the paint color better then the usual black.

I am changing to LED's and thanks to Pete I will grind a little spot where they attach for a good ground!

Cant wait to see the results.

Just the project I want to do in the future.

Hi Brian, just waiting one parts!