How to add lighting to a wagon ?

[trainmania100]

I've been approached by a gentleman who has lost one of his hands. He would like to implement on one of his wagons, an end of train flashing light.

The principal seems simple enough, an led wired to a DCC circuit, which also has terminals from track circuit collection.

Now, I've been DC all my life and have no experience whatsoever, and the thing I want to clarify is what I do with the pickups / TC connections

It's a bogie wagon , specifically one of the Freightliner MBA/ IOA type dapol ones and the wheels appear to be completely metal, the axles at least.

I'm confused as to where the contacts go for the axles/wheels, as theyll need screwing to the bogie frames. Obviously if I just put both contacts onto the axles, presumably it'll short circuit. Attached are the contacts (two separate).

Any advice appreciate. Again I've never done this sort of thing but willing to try it out myself before I attempt his

 

[pdeaves]

DC or DCC, there must be some insulation to separate the wheel tyres from each other and not short the rails to each other. It's usually effectively in a wheel 'hub'. So, put the pickup contacts so they touch the backs of the flanges.

 

[trainmania100]

DC or DCC, there must be some insulation to separate the wheel tyres from each other and not short the rails to each other. It's usually effectively in a wheel 'hub'. So, put the pickup contacts so they touch the backs of the flanges.

Thanks Paul, I think there may be a plastic centre on them. Going to be a bit fidly with such a fragile bogie

 

[Cowley]

I've been approached by a gentleman who has lost one of his hands. He would like to implement on one of his wagons, an end of train flashing light.

The principal seems simple enough, an led wired to a DCC circuit, which also has terminals from track circuit collection.

Now, I've been DC all my life and have no experience whatsoever, and the thing I want to clarify is what I do with the pickups / TC connections

It's a bogie wagon , specifically one of the Freightliner MBA/ IOA type dapol ones and the wheels appear to be completely metal, the axles at least.

I'm confused as to where the contacts go for the axles/wheels, as theyll need screwing to the bogie frames. Obviously if I just put both contacts onto the axles, presumably it'll short circuit. Attached are the contacts (two separate).

Any advice appreciate. Again I've never done this sort of thing but willing to try it out myself before I attempt his

Hello @trainmania100.

I have done this to one of my N gauge mk1 BG’s.
I’ll be honest though, I didn’t get involved in making any circuitry because Train-Tech do a great little kit for £15…
The useful feature with this is that it comes with a movement sensor so that you don’t have to fit a switch or contacts for the wheels.

I had to cut a hole into the gangway end of the coach as in N gauge it was a bit too bulky for the scale so I needed to set it into the body slightly but I think it’d be an easy job to do in 00 and you can paint the lamp surround white easily (before fitting) so that it looks the part.
Another good thing about this option is that you don’t get any flicker problems.
I’d definitely recommend doing it this way basically.

Anyway if you scroll forward to 7:50 in this you can see it working Mr Mania.

 

[trainmania100]

Hello @trainmania100.

I have done this to one of my N gauge mk1 BG’s.
I’ll be honest though, I didn’t get involved in making any circuitry because Train-Tech do a great little kit for £15…
The useful feature with this is that it comes with a movement sensor so that you don’t have to fit a switch or contacts for the wheels.

I had to cut a hole into the gangway end of the coach as in N gauge it was a bit too bulky for the scale so I needed to set it into the body slightly but I think it’d be an easy job to do in 00 and you can paint the lamp surround white easily (before fitting) so that it looks the part.
Another good thing about this option is that you don’t get any flicker problems.
I’d definitely recommend doing it this way basically.

Anyway if you scroll forward to 7:50 in this you can see it working Mr Mania.

Thanks for sharing, the video looks good. He's actually already got the bits for it, so I've taken the opportunity to order myself some too and try it out . I suppose with the DCC he'll want it operational even when the train isn't running.

Agree the sensor one would have been better, my wheels get so filthy covered in a black film , I have to scrape it off with a flat head screwdriver for it to pick any current up for lighting

 

[Cowley]

Thanks for sharing, the video looks good. He's actually already got the bits for it, so I've taken the opportunity to order myself some too and try it out . I suppose with the DCC he'll want it operational even when the train isn't running.

Agree the sensor one would have been better, my wheels get so filthy covered in a black film , I have to scrape it off with a flat head screwdriver for it to pick any current up for lighting

Well if he’s got the parts then you’re probably best going for that. But would you be up for keeping us informed on how you get on?

 

[trainmania100]

Progress update, I've drilled through the bogies and added pickups as pictured, although the screws will probably need cutting as they're a bit long and interfere with its movement.

I've made a hole on the end of the wagon for the tail lamp but I'm having problems getting through the wagon floor, its made of metal and my drill bits aren't getting through.....

Ok probably not the right place for a tail lamp anyway, maybe needs to be a bit more to the left

 

[Cowley]

Progress update, I've drilled through the bogies and added pickups as pictured, although the screws will probably need cutting as they're a bit long and interfere with its movement.

I've made a hole on the end of the wagon for the tail lamp but I'm having problems getting through the wagon floor, its made of metal and my drill bits aren't getting through.....

Ok probably not the right place for a tail lamp anyway, maybe needs to be a bit more to the left

That’s a neat job. Good work.

 

[trainmania100]

It has been fitted.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Trainmania100/status/1511739670601863173

I'll consider a stay alive circuit some point so the lamp flashes consistently rather than cutting out for periods on junctions and dirty track.

 

[Cowley]

It has been fitted.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Trainmania100/status/1511739670601863173

I'll consider a stay alive circuit some point so the lamp flashes consistently rather than cutting out for periods on junctions and dirty track.

That’s a great job. At least with it being flashing one you don’t really notice if cuts out too much.