LED bull frog snot questions

Hello. I have a few more questions as I work on my layout, a Noch Barenweiller. Because of the tight turns and steep grades, I'm going to need to use bull frog snot on some of my locomotives (8811, 81418, Tenshodo C62)if I want to pull more than two cars. Is it better to use on one wheel over another? On the lead truck, rear truck, etc. Outside of problem turn, or inside?

I want to put an LED in one of my buildings. What's good for that?

Thanks in advance. Scott

Scott,
Adding LEDs aren't difficult, but can be complicated for the first time user. The details depend on the DC voltage and the color of the LED. The simplest solution is to get an LED replacement bulb, an LED with all the circuitry built in to replace a 12v mini bulb (frequently available at auto parts stores).
You might want to check out the clinc notes from the NMRA convention: x2011west.org/handouts/Lighting-of-Cars-Locomotives.pdf
or a discussion we had here a while back:
www.zcentralstation.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=18&id=10634&limit=20&limitstart=40&Itemid=212#11320


I'd be happy to answer any additional questions.

Mark

Thanks, Mark. I see that there's more to it than just wiring in a standard bulb. Explains why the lighting kit for my diner came with a circuit board. I'll do some more reading.

Bull Frog Snot takes some practise with larger engines before you tackle Z ones. I suggest you chuck a z axle with one wheel in a dremel tool and turn at slow speed and try applying the snot to it. There is a learning curve. Too much can be disastrous and too little is easily removed to to it again.

For balance in operation I have found you snot the center axle wheels both sides. if you do either of the other axles the engine will pull better in one direction than the other.It is not as good as a traction tire and you loose electrical contact if you get it on the flange so it needs to go on the tire only. on diesels I have found you want to do the inside axles on the body, you want the weight to work with your snot so on a four axle you want to snot the back axle of the engine in the direction you use it most for best results. C62 center drivers D51 the two center axles.

cheers Garth

Scott,
Actually it can be as easy wiring a standard bulb. Check out the E10 device at www.trainaidsa.com/shop-leds.shtml
as an example. The real advantage is using the decrete LEDs and resistors. You can do special things with LEDs you could never do with bulbs (like multiple colors from a single lense). Also you can get sand-grain sized LEDs that are valuable in Z scale.
I believe the diner lighting is EL panels, which are much more complicated than LEDs.
Mark

Thanks for the refernces. I looked at and sent off a product inquire.

Garth, regarding snot, how do you set up your locomotives to spin the wheels and let them spin until the snot dries?

Scott,

I don't use the snot myself but I guess something like my wheelcleaning setup would work for this.
For me this is just a piece of foam with a slot cut in so a loco will fit on it's back in it and stay snugly in place, then touch 2 power pickup wheels with the wires from a powerpack with one hand.

Doesn't matter if the free hand cleans the wheels with a cotton swab or applies snot with a toothpick, right?

Something like this only takes a scrap piece of foam and all of 5 minutes to make, really helps for several loco maintenance jobs.

Or, if you prefer a more professional solution there's always something like Stonebridge's loco caddy

regards
Kurt

Perfect. I had a piece of furniture foam within reach, and it took only minutes. Can't believe I never thought of it. Until I got a MT wheel cleaner a few days ago, I had been doing it like the Marklin sheet showed -- holding the loco and two wires in one hand and the cleaning swab in the other. Like me eating with copsticks except at 220 scale. Thanks.