LEDs

Have you looked at Ngineering ( http://ngineering.com) and their range of LEDs? Their Nano LEDs are listed at $29.75 for a 10-pack. My ex girlfriend bought all the lighting products and tools from Ngineering when she built her craftsman kit roundhouse, you can see some pics in her building thread on the Big Blue forum here (the LED part starts about half way down the page).

Svein

China...

You can find them on eBay from China for usually under $1 USD a piece, and the shipping is free. Keywords are "smd led pre wired" ( http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_oac=1&_nkw=smd+led+pre+wired&_sacat=0). They also have multicolor (red/green, etc.) ones for similarly good prices.

I would recommend these

I would recommend these http://www.rr-cirkits.com/description/index.html.If you are using them in signals look at http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19716thread from Jas. He has done some nice project lights with them. I have usd them also in the same applications and I would not use any other at this point. 

Ebay - ledbaron

This is a good source too.

http://stores.ebay.com/ledbaron/0401-/_i.html?_fsub=590115015

Dr. Geoff recommended, lol!

Regards,

Brush up on your soldering skills

Good time to brush up on your soldering skills.

You will need:

1. A good quality soldering iron 15 to 25 watts.  ( I use a 15 watt Weller)
2. A quantity of SMD LEDs in size 0603 or 0402. (0402 are Nano size and extremely small) http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-100pcs-SMD-SMT-0603-White-Red-Green-Blue-Yellow-LED-MIX-Super-bright-/361403601149?hash=item54255550fd:g:8hEAAOSw7NNUFBpm   One of almost 4000 results. you'll get the idea!
3. Magnet wire size AWG32 or smaller.  I use #32 and have not had any issues.  Get a roll of green and a roll of red.  Will last a long time as the smallest rolls I purchased both had over a thousand feet of wire!  http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-AWG-Gauge-Magnet-Wire-Red-306-155C-Solderable-Enameled-Copper-Coil-Winding-S-/262561547035?hash=item3d21e3431b:m:myPC2rc0QReoM_x3R6MO7tQ 
4. A roll of electronics solder.
5. A small tube or container of non-corrosive flux (does not contain acid).
6. small artist paint brush to apply solder to the SMD LEDs.

As for how to solder them, watch a few videos on Youtube.  Many on how to do it.  

And last but not least, get a magnifying glass or reading glasses and a little patience!  

eBay - wehonest_us

I've had good luck with these guys: http://www.ebay.com/usr/wehonest_us?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

I bought this exact item: 10 Prewired #0603 SMD Golden-white for $6.99:   http://www.ebay.com/itm/252194343572?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

​(No affiliation, just a satisfied customer. Plus I think their user name is hilarous)

Thanks,

for all the sources not sure how I will run signals yet but figured I should plan for it so they will be ready if and when I do.

Another Source

I get mine from Digikey. Here's the link for the red ones.

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/rohm-semiconductor/SML-P12UTT86/511-1593-1-ND/1643125

Svein mentioned Ngineering and I use their tools for wiring them.

Tim

Overwhelmed?

I have had good luck with this seller

I have had good luck with this eBay seller, they average $1.00 per wired SMD LED, plus he Missouri so you don't have to wait for something from China.

--Bill B.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/gps_97?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

search on 0603 or 0402

http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Scales-SMD-LED-0603-Warm-White-Color-Copper-Coated-Wire-Set-of-10-New-/391224695158?hash=item5b16cf1976:g:EZkAAOSw~gRVzKVB

Another Choice

Another Choice:

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledlights1.html

Richmond Controls

Here's another good source for LEDs.  They also sell them pre-wired if you don't want to do any soldering.

http://www.richmondcontrols.com

I used to buy my LEDs from Ulrich Models, but now that they've shut down I'll be buying from these guys.

-L

LED color choices

Hey Ford86, you asked 

Think the above might have gotten lost in this thread. Unfortunately names are subjective if you can find the color temperature listed then you get the same color temperature you should be good. I would expect golden white to be down at about 2400K, warm white at 3000K and sunny white as high as 5500-6000K. I took these values from the chart on wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature#Categorizing_different_lighting