> I bought a Dummy UP Lionel American Flyer SD70Ace <snip>
> Has anyone tried to wire in lights into the dummy?? <snip>
> Anyway, has anyone any thoughts on the matter.
> Joe Haughney
Joe...
I have not personally faced your problem, but if I was presented with it here
is what I would do:
1. Decide which lights you want illuminated and when you want them to be lit.
This is not as easy as it sounds. For example, if you are running the dummy
unit behind a forward-moving powered SD70, you probably will not want any
headlights to be on. Likewise, you will probably not want any of the
numberboards to be lit. But, if the dummy unit is being pushed by the powered
unit, you might want all the forward-aimed lights on. When your lashup
reverses direction, you might want the lights to change their illumination when
the locos are backing up. So deciding what you want is the first step.
2. It might be worthwhile to check with the Lionel parts department for
illuminated lights to replace the non-lit lights on your dummy unit. I have no
idea if Lionel sells parts like this, but it is worth checking on that since it
will make your job easier.
3. Decide on LEDs vs. bulbs.
4. Next step is figuring out how to control the lights. Most everything is
possible with a DCC decoder. Without a DCC decoder, it might be a challenge to
have everything working just the way you want. There are some constant
lighting units that could be installed if you simply wanted all lights lit all
the time. But that arrangement is not how the real trains do it. Some of
these units will also automatically change the lights when the loco reverses
direction.
5. Once the control 'device' is determined, you will need to install it and
test it out.
I don't envy you with this matter. It could be very easy, but
non-prototypical. Or, it could be very prototypical, but not very easy.
Decisions, decisions, etc.....
Good luck...Ed Loizeaux
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