Caltrain MP36s don't have mars lights; they have a train number board instead which doesn't oscillate. There is an alternate Nathan P2 in the horn pack that suits the engine
Hey Kelley, nice to see you back at it. Another nice install. I pretty much did all the same work on an Athearn N scale MP36 about a year ago, but the GO Transit locos didn’t have mars lamps so I was able to use that powered AUX output for a rear 0402 LED. Just wondering if- could you maybe have wired the rear LED in conjunction with the twin red LED’s, such that all 3 would illuminate when in reverse? I know that forward voltage differences between red & white LED’s can be problematic, but it’s a thought.
I could have done that (put the rear LED and LED that lights the red marker lights) on one function, but the problem then becomes that the rear light would be on when the loco is in push mode. Honestly, I'd be suprised if the rear light would ever be used once this thing has a few commuter cars hooked up behind it. Side note, the LED powering the red marker lights is white also...the light pipe itself is tinted red.
Caltrain MP36s don't have mars lights; they have a train number board instead which doesn't oscillate. There is an alternate Nathan P2 in the horn pack that suits the engine
welp...I guess it's a lit train numberboard now. Easy enough to address. CV163 is now 2 for the P2. Thanks!
Hey Kelley, nice to see you back at it. Another nice install. I pretty much did all the same work on an Athearn N scale MP36 about a year ago, but the GO Transit locos didn’t have mars lamps so I was able to use that powered AUX output for a rear 0402 LED.
Just wondering if- could you maybe have wired the rear LED in conjunction with the twin red LED’s, such that all 3 would illuminate when in reverse? I know that forward voltage differences between red & white LED’s can be problematic, but it’s a thought.
I could have done that (put the rear LED and LED that lights the red marker lights) on one function, but the problem then becomes that the rear light would be on when the loco is in push mode. Honestly, I'd be suprised if the rear light would ever be used once this thing has a few commuter cars hooked up behind it. Side note, the LED powering the red marker lights is white also...the light pipe itself is tinted red.
@
Ah, yes … didn’t think about the push mode issue. Agreed - scrapping the reversing rear headlamp is no biggie!