Here's one for the Masters out there.I have always wanted to know what type of lights and electronics are used for those fabulous eye catching Charging Lights that are on the models of both MTH and Lionel GE Evo ES44's.Those lights are the cat's meow!Cooler than cool.
I have thought so many times how hard could it be,to add these charging lights,even in a primitive version,to some of the engines I already have.I do believe they are some type of LED strips,with a board controlling the way they seem to move and alternate.
People that don't like trains,just stand there and look at those lights!And on a night run,it gets even better.I have wondered why they are not on more models,maybe they are,but I am just not aware of it.
Mike Wolfe even said in an interview on Notch 6,that the factory workers that make MTH"s stuff,often just get caught up in watching those charging lights,and they have no interest at all in the hobby,but those lights are the stuff.
So my question is;What type of lights or LED"S are used in these models?What type of board controls the sequence of movement in them,and can they be purchased and retro fitted into another diesel or perhaps the sides of a steamer or tender??? I know a lot about the postwar trains and how they work,and I still like them better than anything new,but those charging lights are on my wish list.
I did a little bit of fishing on the interweb,and found similar things,but having little experience in electronics,I could see that it seems they are available,and the boards have to be available,because looking at Christmas Lights using to same tech earlier tonight got me thinking about trying to find out about those charging lights again!!
How Boss would those look on a Lionel Geep?It sure would add some flavor. Merry Christmas!!-Kenny Baughman