the MRH Forum

Getting ready for First DCC Install Track and electrical/DCC
Reply
Regular poster 216 posts Retired Alex Regular poster 216 posts
Retired Alex

I am getting ready for my first decoder install. I am putting a Digitrax DH123D into an Athern Blue Box SD40-2. I have downloaded and memorized the installation video from Digitrax. I have viewed several of Bruce's videos on decoder installs from his DCC series on here. I am not worried about the overall process. My question is can I mix incandescent bulbs and LEDs. The unit currently has an incandescent bulb for a headlight but no rear light. I want to put in a rear light. I can get ready access to LEDs but bulbs are scarcer than hen's teeth without ordering online and waiting for delivery. Can I use the already installed bulb for the headlight and an LED for the rear light or should I replace both with the same type of fixture?

Alex B.

Modeling in HO
Reply 0
Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Yes, but . . .

You can mix them. I don't like the results. 1) the BlueBox light is more of a cab light than a headlight. 2) LEDs rarely have the same color value as bulbs. 3) what do you do when the bulb dies? 4) the answer to #3 is probably replace it with an LED, so why not do it while you have the loco apart already? I hope you made good use of my articles from the January to April time frame in 2012.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
Reply 0
Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,952 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Dear Alex, From a technical

Dear Alex,

From a technical perspective, there's no reason why you cant use the stock Ath BB 12V bulb for the nose/headlight, and a LED for the rear light. Just make sure to install a suitable resistor for the LED,
(suggest starting with 1K Ohm), and you're good to go...

Bigger issue may be how you feel about the obviously-different appearances of the head and tail lights once they are installed. If this does end up bugging you, then replacing all with LEDs is probably the most-advisable way forward...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
Reply 0
Retired Alex Regular poster 216 posts
Retired Alex

Thanks

Thanks for the replies. After I posted it seemed like a dumb question but the dumbest question is the one never asked. And as I said, I can get ready access to LEDs, so that is the way I will go. Will post the results of my endeavours.

Bruce, your articles and web site have been very helpful, thanks.

Alex B.

Modeling in HO
Reply 0
Mike C Regular poster 115 posts
Mike C

I model in N scale, and if

I model in N scale, and if the loco comes to me with an incandesant bulb, I tend not to change them . In fact I have been known to not even hook up the lights to the decoder. They just stay on all the time. Less wires and less work....LOL.....Mike
Reply 0
Reply