Pennsy Position Signal Head -- a possible solution?

[AlkemScaleModels]

Our N Scale PRR signals have sold out, but the slow rate of sales did not justify a second run. These were made in China, an added complication that made a second run more difficult.

I've seen a couple examples where our signals where used and I thought they looked good, even with the thick circuit card. The actual signals have fairly beefy boxes behind the shields, which can account for some of that beefiness.  The real challenge is capturing the thin sheet metal targets. They are nearly impossible to get to scale.

Bernard Kempinski

[unittrain]

Excellent point, especially for someone scared about soldering LEDs (me!)

Hmm, thats yellow. Are these the equivalents for red and green?

Red: http://www.kingbrightusa.com/product.asp?catalog_name=LED&product_id=APTD1608SURCK

Green: http://www.kingbrightusa.com/product.asp?catalog_name=LED&product_id=APTD1608ZGC

Signalling is core for me in terms of recreating a railroad in miniature, so I am watching this thread with great interest.

If the CPL option does not make the cut as RTR, then hopefully the "kit" option will be available too.

Mark

Same here I want to have working signals I have a good number of Traincat signals that I'm waiting to assemble to see if anything is developed to have them working.

[towl1996]

Traincat seems to be on the right track, hopefully Bob is in a position to continue his work or maybe a deal could be struck with DKS. I think we're close to an excellent product.

[Dave V]

This what the Alkem signals end up looking like...

[C855B]

This what the Alkem signals end up looking like...

While we've acknowledged the thickness issue multiple times so far, you ought to re-post pix of what you had before the Alkem (NJI with grain-of-wheat incandescents, I think) so we can compare. The improvement afforded by the Alkems was nothing short of remarkable.

[Mark5]

Yup, the Alkem targets are definately the best commercially available PRR style LED targets to date. They are of course sold out at Alkem.

[Dave V]

While we've acknowledged the thickness issue multiple times so far, you ought to re-post pix of what you had before the Alkem (NJI with grain-of-wheat incandescents, I think) so we can compare. The improvement afforded by the Alkems was nothing short of remarkable.

Yes, very illustrative...

[Mark5]

Lol, those (NJI?) are hideous.

Mark

[C855B]

In all fairness, that "land of the giants" NJI version is not their current offering. They recently - two or three years ago - released a completely redesigned version using SM LEDs that is better proportioned. From their site:



The pole is still roughly 2X scale, but the target at least isn't from the HO catalog.

[AlkemScaleModels]

I tried spin casting the signal heads in house using my original as a master.  The first attempt was unsuccessful, but I will try again the next time I fire up the spin caster. Casting thin flat objects is tricky.

Getting the targets made in the US was practically impossible. It is much easier to find an electronics manufacturer that will make the circuits in the U.S.
So I may reintroduce these at some point in the future if I can sort it all out and there still is a unmet demand.


Bernard Kempinski

[kelticsylk]

Just a thought...Recently read an old article in MR that talks about signals and lamps wired with conductive paint with the wiring in the base or under the benchwork.. I know the masking might be a challenge, but would that work?

Plastic target with LED's glued on and paint used instead of circuit board?

[chicken45]

Now that DKS has shown a picture of this, he has 1 month left to beat his already set precedent of the DB4s containers. I look forward to purchasing them from MBK on 4/12.   

[DKS]

Now that DKS has shown a picture of this, he has 1 month left to beat his already set precedent of the DB4s containers. I look forward to purchasing them from MBK on 4/12.   

Fat chance.

[drgw0579]

I purchased as many of the Alkem PL signals as I could afford before they ran out.  Was ready to get many more but... eventually had to go to plan B. 

I suspect items like this are not compatible with the current model of producing a large amount (by a contract manufacturer) and needing to turn over the inventory fairly quickly. You need to sell a lot to a relatively small number of buyers.   Since there is a fair amount of work with installation, I might purchase a handful, then go for 6 months before I'm ready for more.  Ovrerall, I probably need 50-70 heads.  Not something I can purchase all at once!

One thing I found with PL signals is that just like the prototype, you need to be directly in front of them to correctly read the aspect.  On most colored light signals you can sort of tell what it is from the side (and sometimes the back).  Few layouts I've operated on always have the signals in a location where you view them straight on.  You can have repeater panels on the fascia or somewhere else, but then you wonder, "why bother".

Hopefully my current supplier doesn't run out within the next 6 months.  Otherwise I am in deep do-do!  Again.
 

Bill Kepner

[Mark5]

Ovrerall, I probably need 50-70 heads.  Not something I can purchase all at once!

<snip>

Hopefully my current supplier doesn't run out within the next 6 months.  Otherwise I am in deep do-do!  Again.

Bill Kepner

Who's this supplier and what's he supplying?

Mark