Questions re Lighting A Caboose

[BCR 570]

I have been wondering about how to equip an N Scale caboose with a decoder to power and operate the lights.  My cabooses will be assembled from the Kaslo Shops kit and will look like this:




I want to be able to have the following:

1. an interior light which is constant
2. directional marker lights (red and green)in end roof fascias
3. directional track inspection light above end windows


My first question is how to get power from the track to the decoder.  My existing caboose runs on Fox Valley metal wheels in Atlas caboose trucks.  Some sort of pickup assembly would be needed.  I am aware of the Kato caboose trucks which have brass pickups inside the sideframes.

Questions
1.  How would I go about adding a pickup to the existing wheels and trucks?  What would it need to look like?
2.  Are the Kato caboose trucks available separately?  I do not seem to be able to find them listed on the Kato website.
3.  Would the pickup in the Kato caboose trucks still work if I changed out the Kato wheels for Fox Valley wheels?


My second question pertains to what type of decoder would be needed to operate the various lights - obviously some sort of stationary four function decoder is required.  I am hoping that NGineering would have the requisite LEDs and I have already spoken with Tim Anderson about what I want to do.

If anyone can explain how this would work and what other components might be required, I would appreciate it.


Thank you,

Tim

[DKS]

Not being a DCC guy, I can't address that aspect, but Tim Anderson is a great guy and is very helpful.

I can say, however, that the FVM wheelsets will not work in Kato caboose trucks. The Kato wheelsets pass the current via the axle points to collector strips in the truck sideframes. From there, the collector strips touch contacts in the underframe. FVM wheelsets would short out the trucks because their axles are not split like the Katos. I've not seen the Kato trucks sold separately.

If you're OK with some added friction, you could incorporate pickups into the existing trucks (assuming they have metal wheels) by making phosphor bronze wire wipers attached to the tops of the truck frames, and connected to the DCC unit inside using ultra-fine flexible wire from Ngineering.

[TiVoPrince]

Digtrax
lighting only decoder was my 'save' on this.  Since I only needed one output for my application, wired up two LEDs to  ends of my SP (purley imitation) C-50-9.  Directionality was not high on my list but the transponding could come in handy someday.  Unfortunately I had to cut away a bunch of the Con-Cor floor (about 30* pie slice) to get clearance for the pickups on the Kato caboose trucks.  The pilot model came out OK but the Athearn blowing away my meager effort meant I never even started the following eleven that now live in an under the workbench box while I try to invent power pickups for the Athearn...

[up1950s]

Another method would be a on-board battery which would feed an R/C receiver and that would also power the lights . Do they make a RX small enough with 5 channels ?

Running lights on/off
Running lights polarity
Inside lights on/off
Inspection light on/off
Inspection lights polarity

[kiwi_al]

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=22476

Unfortunately Ebi's pictures are gone but this shows how to make pickups for tenders but the same mehod can be applied to your caboose.

[CoalPorter]

I know a guy that does this with an on board battery and a magnetic reed switch, but he only runs marker lights. looks cool tough.

[SirTainly]

Tim, the stationary Digitrax TF4 decoder would give you the functions, but you'd have to do the directionality switch manually, i.e. turn one function off and turn another on. The other suggestion would be to just get a 4 function motor decoder like the DZ143 and just not connect a motor. Lee did an excellent post a while back on adding pickup to caboose trucks see here:

http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,12243.0.html

[SquirrelHollow]

Another method would be a on-board battery which would feed an R/C receiver and that would also power the lights . Do they make a RX small enough with 5 channels ?

Running lights on/off
Running lights polarity
Inside lights on/off
Inspection light on/off
Inspection lights polarity

4-channel, 25mm L X ~13mm W X unknown height:
http://www.shop.kkpmo.com/product_info.php/info/p799_JSTMINI-R-4P-4CH-Receiver-FM.html

Polarities could theoretically be handled by the receiver, and you might only need 3 channels.  You'd have to buy a crystal and transmitter, though.

In the past, I've successfully re-used pickups from old Rivarossi/Atlas Pacifics (I have dozens... I pick them {and old Arnolds} up as parts locos for $5-10, whenever I see them).

I've had the best luck converting to insulated, split axles (can't remember where I got them), with a wiper on the shaft.  However, I did light and motorize the rotor of a Rotary plow with Rivarossi-style wipers, that contact the top of the wheels.

If you want something application-specific, PPD Limited does Phosphorbronze etching.  http://www.ppdltd.com/

[up1950s]

Here is another one , it hs 4 channels , and I think it would fit along with a battery .
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=CSERX4CHL

[TiVoPrince]

Perhaps
you may want to simplify a bit.  Use TF4 decoder functions to do multiple things.

Function A (CV64) - Interior lighting
Function B (CV63) - B direction lighting, green forward, red rearward, track inpection light on
Function C (CV62) - A direction lighting, green forward, red rearward, track inpection light on
Function D (CV61) - Whatever you want

Use fibre optics to route the light where you want it.  Cluster the function LEDs so they can use the same light tube and you are 'in like flynn'...

                     Function A Interior light(s)
              /------  Function B LED ------\
Fibre optic  B end                       A end  Fibre optic
              \------  Function C LED ------/ 

[BCR 570]

Thank you all for your help.  Too bad EBITs pictures are gone - would have like to have seen more.

Can I use axle or wheel wipers on the existing Fox Valley wheelsets?  The two wheels are insulated from each other but only at one wheel which would seem to rule out the axle wiper.

Tim

[wm3798]

I used contact paint to bypass the insulator on one wheel.  Personally, if I was to do this again, I would probably go with the Kato caboose trucks, or use trucks from a Bachmann tender with the axle point pick ups.  If you're looking for particular side frame you might be a little screwed, but the pick up will be a whole lot more reliable than the wipers I made.

Lee

[kiwi_al]

Tim,
Ebit posted a solution for you on Atlas

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=58025

These wheelsets should do the trick - they are pretty cheap too! and they are made by Kato.

[Big4Man]

I have used both the wipers as well as the battery thing. The battery is a PIA, I would recommend going the wiper way. I have used the Kato "tender" trucks with great success. Beware, they are sold by the single truck. I cut the coupler off and carefully bent the brass nub over and soldered #30 stranded decoder wire to each side and fed them up through holes drilled in the floor. I would also suggest keeping control simple. I used a micro slide switch placed discreetly under the floor. However, I seldom use the switch. It looks too cool to turn off! The lights go off when I shut down track power. I also used bright white LED's toned down with resistors and set up for DCC track voltage with fiber optics to the marker lights.  With wipers, you will definitely want to at least put in a small capacitor to keep the flickering to a minimum. Richmond Controls offers a couple capacitor units for this purpose. However, I have never used any of their stuff. I also cover up the light source to keep the caboose from glowing.
Let me know if you can't find the Kato wheel sets. Perhaps I could help you out there too, as I have at least half a dozen sets in a "round tuit" box here somewhere.

Good Luck!

Dan

[Rich Businger]

Richmond Controls has power pickups. GoTo : www.richmondcontrols.com

Jim Hinds knows his stuff when it comes to lighting.


Rich