Hi folks. So, I would like to install a working headlight in a brass loco I have... but I have no idea how to approach this! The headlight is not mounted directly to the smokebox, but instead is sitting on a rather fiddly bracket. Below is a picture... anyone have any ideas?
mount headlight, then drill hole through headlight bracket into smokebox .... add clear lens [if needed], some leds are already rounded .. mask led off for painting .. may as well trim the flash off the headlight shell while you are at it ??
You can find pre-wired SMD 0201 LEDs on ebay for as little as $1. Even 0402 (bigger) might fit. Carefully drill out the headlight from the front for the LED. Drill a small hole at the back of the headlight for the wires to pass through. Thread the LED in from the front. Drill another small hole in the smokebox for the wires to pass through. Add a lens (or just use some of that liquid Microscale product to simulate glass) over the front of the headlight. You can route the wires so they are barely noticeable (maybe under the headlight support bracket).
yes pre-wired SMD's is the answer. can get packs of them from china for peanuts! seller is "wehonest" make sure you get the warm white ones the hole for the wires to pass through 0.6mm so if you go at an angle it'll be hardly noticeable
May want to get the ones with the magnetic wires; they're very thin copper wires with a lacquer coating for insulation. This will be less noticeable than ordinary wiring.
Having used both, magnet wire for this for sure. You can even pass them thru super tiny tubing. Just paint the magnet wires where they exit tubing to avoid shorts.
