Using LED to replace #19 Miniature Light Bulbs

No, but it shouldn't be that difficult.

Thanks John I will play some the led I have in stock and post my results.

I have a Super O layout full of these 112R switches. The light bulbs are the least of my problems with these switches. But, I would love to see if anyone could come up with an LED replacement for either a #12 or #19,  2-pin bulb.

This is not a #19 but might give you an idea of how to roll-your-own.  This shows DIY LED replacements for wire-terminal bulbs as used in Realtrax lock-ons and switch controllers.  One version has side-ward facing LEDs and one has upward facing LEDS.  Detailed how-to write-up is on the JCS O gauge archive here. 

The key is to use more than 1 LED per replacement.  Why?  The white LED operates around 3V DC.  But you are starting with 18V AC.  So if you only use 1 LED and simply drop the voltage using a resistor (as done in cheap single-LED replacement bulbs) then you are using 1/6th of the available voltage and 5/6th is wasted and goes up as heat in the resistor.  Note that the 18V incandescent bulb uses all 18V to burn its filament. 

So even though LED "technology" is roughly 10 times more efficient, that potential efficiency gain is thrown away by using only 1/6th of the available voltage.  Then, since the LED only operates on DC, if you only use 1/2 of the alternating polarity you again throw away available voltage.  Obviously the incandescent bulb uses both polarities of the AC voltage to burn its filament.  So now the LED is using only 1/2 x 1/6 or a paltry 1/12th of the "available voltage".   I'm kind of mixing apples and oranges a bit with respect to power and voltage and such...but in simple terms the 10x gain of lighting efficiency of LED vs. incandescent is thrown out by the 12x loss by incompetent application of the available AC voltage.  In my opinion of course.

So by using more LEDs at the cost of complexity and tedious soldering, I get back a 4x factor by using 4 LEDs.

For the #19 bulb, I'd think you could find some stiff solid wire of the same gauge as the bi-pins on the bulb.  Or maybe it's the same gauge as a power diode lead that you could clip off a 1/2" or whatever.  I used LEDs from a 12V LED strip so the cost is a few pennies per LED.  Then add a 5 cent resistor. 

Without a doubt, the component cost is negligible compared to the assembly hassle.  I do NOT recommend you try this at home!

HI and thanks for the replys.

Stan nice design I will have to look into it when I get a chance.