Tender lights

[TVRR]

I've been thinking about adding tender back up lights to several medium and sort B'mann tenders. Awhile back I ordered the light housing, base, and lens made for the 2-8-0 (still available) and it looks like what ever light source they use goes in through a small hole in the rear of the housing.  Can anyone tell me if an LED small enough to fit is available or would this be better handled with a fiber optic feed from inside the tender?
All these tenders already have DCC installed and have the wiring leads for the light. Your thoughts?

[peteski]

You can do it either way. My preference would be to install a small LED directly in the light housing then run thin magnet wires down to the inside of the tender (to the resistor and the rest of the circuit) But fiber optic with larger LED inside the tender would also work.

A surface mount (SMD) 0402 or 0603 size LED should fit inside the light housing.  Those have a footprint of 0.04" X 0.02" and 0.06" X 0.03" respectively.

[mmagliaro]

+1
I have also done it both ways.  It depends on what you find easiest to work with.
The SMD LED makes a darn amazing bright light that is hard to beat, but a good fiber optic
tube of an LED also looks very very good.   You can also heat-flare the tip of the fiber optic tube to form
a clear, smooth domed lens for the light.

I usually use 0603's. 

If you're looking for where to buy them...
 NGineering sells some really nice ones: "Micro Super Incandescent"
http://www.ngineering.com/lightng.htm

That same page has "Nano Super Incandescent" (smaller).
I like the light output.  Just the right amount of warmth and glow - not too yellow, not too white.

I'm sure you can get these in bulk from other places, or more cheaply.  I'm just givin' ya one place to
work with.

[Joetrain59]

I would be interested in a cheaper source than Ngineering. Have to research when I have a chance.
 Joe D

[victor miranda]

google
0402 led

digikey sells them....

oh what an exquisite pain...

[mmagliaro]

Searching "SMD 0402 Warm white"  turns up some nice hits on eBay.

[TVRR]

Thank you for the suggestions and help gentlemen.  I like the tiny LED idea best but am going to have to find someone who can possibly solder wire to the tiny pads, it's a cinch that I can't. I'll look some more, would love to find some prewired with the resistor in line, only need 4.

[160pennsy]

Thank you for the suggestions and help gentlemen.  I like the tiny LED idea best but am going to have to find someone who can possibly solder wire to the tiny pads, it's a cinch that I can't. I'll look some more, would love to find some prewired with the resistor in line, only need 4.

You can find these at Evan Designs

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/smd-chip-leds.html

[peteski]

google
0402 led
digikey sells them....
oh what an exquisite pain...

I call it a fun challenge!    I love soldering leads to 0402 LEDs in the morning! 

To address another post, I have not been successful finding usable "warm white" LEDs on eBay or elsewhere besides N-gineering.  Ones I found are either too blue or too yellow. Not the warm incandescent-like warm white I wanted.   I recently purchased larger quantity of the incandescent white nano (0402) LEDs from N-gineering at a substantial discount - all I had to do was to ask.

Of course there is always the transparent orange paint trick....

[Joetrain59]

TVRR, I didn't think I could work with these tiny devices, but I did it. Preparation and right tools is mandatory, along with good light.

 And I've gotten better/neater at it since this early try.
 Joe D

[RBrodzinsky]

I find the Ngineering special tool for holding the wire and LED indispensable. Took me a long time to get the hang of it, but now can get about 10 done before my back and eyes start to complain. Keep the soldering tip clean, use good flux (H&N Supersafe, applied with micro brush), and optivisor, to see what you are doing.

Rick

[mmagliaro]

Peteski's point is well taken.  There are plenty of places you can buy "warm white" LEDs.
But that "incandescent" one that NGineering sells is awesome and it's hard to know what you are going to
get when you buy them through electronics distributors.

[Mark W]

I call it a fun challenge!    I love soldering leads to 0402 LEDs in the morning! 

To address another post, I have not been successful finding usable "warm white" LEDs on eBay or elsewhere besides N-gineering.  Ones I found are either too blue or too yellow. Not the warm incandescent-like warm white I wanted.   I recently purchased larger quantity of the incandescent white nano (0402) LEDs from N-gineering at a substantial discount - all I had to do was to ask.

What's your opinion on these?  Personally, I think they're perfect.


And they're pre-soldered a buck each.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/T0402WM-20pcs-Pre-soldered-micro-litz-wired-leads-Warm-White-SMD-Led-0402-NEW-/261552594821

[peteski]

What's your opinion on these?  Personally, I think they're perfect.

And they're pre-soldered a buck each.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/T0402WM-20pcs-Pre-soldered-micro-litz-wired-leads-Warm-White-SMD-Led-0402-NEW-/261552594821

Looking at the photo, these LEDs do look good.  Price is also good.  While I prefer to solder my own magnet wire, the wire included with those LEDs looks interesting: 2 strands in a clear plastic insulation.

[TVRR]

They look so good that I've ordered 20, comes with appropriate resistors as well. I honestly believe that the micro soldering is best done by someone that can actually see the tiny pads and doesn't have tremors! Will post a pic or two when I get some installed. Thanks everyone for your patience and help.