AZL Loco

Does anyone have experience in changing out the factory lamp to LED? What ohm resistor is needed if any? Thanks.

What engine are you changing. All AZLs that have lighting have leds.

Thanks for the reply. I have a SD70M, didn't realize they were LED. Is it the same for the MTL GP35?

yes, the GP35 has leds also. You can make them brighter by replacing the plastic light inserts with fiber optics. Thats what I did on most of my GP35s and SD70s.

Do you have a good source in which to get the fiber optic material? What diameter of the fiber optic that was used? Thanks.

Well, I dont know the actual diameter of the fiber optic. I got my fiber optic from a night light, and I bought it from a Publix Supermarket. I see Fiber optics being sold on Ebay all the time, but for me, it was cheaper and more convenient to buy it from Publix. One night light is enought to convert all my engines and still have enought to do more.

Thanks for the help. Some of the simplier things are often over looked.

have a look here:
fiberoptic shop

Elf, this is the fiber optics I used. After cutting it, I use a solder iron to melt the tip, so that it has a smooth lens.

Many Thanks. This is a major improvement.

On another one can notice MTL's GP9s have a far better shining headlight than GP35s and AZLs. Should not it be possible to order some fiber optic directly at MTL's?

Dom

the GP9s have plastic headlight inserts designed into them, the are not fiber optic. i don't think MTL uses or sells fiber optics. you might see if they offer the len inserts for sale separately, but it would be up to you to make it work for your application. the biggest problem will be that the lens insert is made to fit the spacing between lights on the GP9 -- and i think that is different than what it is on the GP35. i don't know if they will fit in AZL locos. fyi.
dave f.

Dom, the AZL Leds are not as bright. I been meanig to switch out one the leds to see if it makes a difference. I think it also helps if you installed fiber optics. If you really want it bright, instal a smd right behind the fiber optic.

All American (AZL and MTL) locos use LEDs. Only Märklin uses ordinary light bulbs (torches for the UK folk). AZL uses a much more yellow (Amber) one. You could replace it with a "white" LED but most are sooooooo brite now, you will have to lower the current thru by increasing the resistor value. There already is one on the Printed Circuit Board (PCB ) but you can add another 470 to 10000 ohms in series by cutting either LED lead of the new LED. You could make the AZL LED brigher by adding another Surface Mount (SMD) resistor across (in parallel) with the one on the PCB.

Note: White LED's are NOT white, they are blue with a yellow phospor that ""looks"" white. BUT, if you reduce the current thru the LED from it's stated range, they will not be as "white" but more bluish. Most white LEDs are now in the 100,000 mcd (milli candella), a measure of the light output. We only need <<<<100 mcd to light one of the headlights !!

Fiber optics really help. You can leave them long (coil into one loop) and mount them into the LED. Attaching to a normal T1 (bullet shaped one) is easy: drill a small hole in the end to accept the fiber optic and glue in place. The LED is expoxy so plastic cement (model making) won't work. CA (e.g. Super or Crazy Glue) will 'craze' the fiber, making cracks and fogging it but it still works, just a little light loss and more brittle. Attaching to SMD LEDs like the later Digitrax decoders for the MTLs is not as easy. You will have to glue it the PCB in front of the LED, trying to get it lined up with the LED and it still may not be bright enough.

MTL nor AZL do not sell the plastic light pipes and defintely do not seel fiber optics.

Jeff
SF Bay Area Z

For Mareklin engines I recommend the little circuit blocks with built in LEDS from High Tech Modelbahnen. They are bright and constant, and turn on with very little power. I have them on my Mikado and they fit where the light bulb goes in. They come in white or yellow tones. If they are too bright, then go over the leds with a bit of permanent marker and it will tone them down.

Kelly, thanks, I will pick up one for my Mikado.

Bambuko, thanks for the link. I just ordered one of their kits with various sizes of materials so I can find what works best for me. I have some AZL Sd40-2 that need lights and I'd like to improve the looks of the lights on other locos.

John


bambuko wrote:

have a look here:
fiberoptic shop

TerryH wrote:

Kelly, thanks, I will pick up one for my Mikado.

We do import the HTM LEDs. We also have quite a few in stock. You can find a listing at:

www.ztrackcenter.com/htm/marklin/

The HTM plugs are by far one of the most popular items we offer. They are a great improvement over Marklin's grain of wheat bulbs.

Rob

Myself I used a LED from Richmondcontrols ( www.richmondcontrols.com ) for one of my AZL Dash9, and it's very easy and quick to install, 2 minutes maximum once you removed the shell). The result is fine.

Go to this page for more information: www.richmondcontrols.com/EZ00.pdf

Dom