Richmond Controls can supply Marker Light components and modules for all scales.  This ranges from LEDs to repair and upgrade existing systems to complete marker light systems.  This document addresses the following topics:  LEDs, DRIVER CIRCUITS, INTERIOR LIGHT UPGRADES, and EXAMPLES.

LEDs with Insulated Wire Leads - Part Number SW0603-WT06 (Sunny White, 6" leads) or GW0603-WT06 (Golden White, 6" leads), $3.00 each.  (Typical Application:  replacing burned out lamps.)  These are "603" size surface mount LEDs supplied with twisted #36 wire leads.

These LED measure 0.060" x 0.030" (1.5 mm x 0.75 mm), have 6" long 0.0055" diameter insulated stranded wire leads, and are rated at a MAXIMUM current of 20 mA.  Typically, 5 mA produces ample brightness, and the LED's voltage drop will be about 3.0 volts.  They emit light in all directions, and are useful for replacing burned out lamps in commercially available marker lamp assemblies.  They will illuminate all three lenses of commercially available marker light assemblies such as those made by Tomar.  A CURRENT LIMITING RESISTOR MUST ALWAYS BE USED WITH THESE LEDs !!!  The resistor is not normally supplied with the LED.  They can also be used for headlights.

 Options:

Current Limiting Resistor installed in one wire lead ($1.00 extra cost each).  Consult with Richmond Controls to determine appropriate resistor value.

Surface mount colored LEDs are available in three colors:  Deep Red (660 nm), Amber (592 nm), and Bluish-Green (502 nm).  These colors are judged to most closely duplicate the colors found in actual railroad applications.  The LEDs measure about 0.060" x 0.030" x 0.020" and are supplied with 6" #36 enameled wire leads.  The LEDs emit light from all sides except the bottom, but the light is brightest from the top surface.  They are rated at 20 mA, and typically require approximately 2-3 volts for operation.  A CURRENT LIMITING RESISTOR MUST ALWAYS BE USED WITH THESE LEDs !!!  The resistor is not normally supplied with the LED.

Options:

Prices:  $3.00 each for Red (RD0603-WT06) and Amber (AM0603-WT06), $5.00 each for Bluish-Green (GR0603-WT06)

Current Limiting Resistor installed in one wire lead ($1.00 extra cost each).  Consult with Richmond Controls to determine appropriate resistor value.

Other colors are available, including Blue and White

Two of the surface mount colored LEDs described above are connected back-to-back and are supplied with 3" lengths of #28 enameled wire leads.  These assemblies MUST be driven with AC power in order to illuminate both LEDs at the same time.  One or the other LED can be illuminated by applying DC power of one polarity or the other.  A CURRENT LIMITING RESISTOR MUST ALWAYS BE USED WITH THESE LEDs !!!  The resistor is not normally supplied with the LEDs.

The two-wire assembly allows for easy installation in the smaller scales by drilling two small holes in each side of the car receiving the markers.  The assemblies are masked with black paint so that one color is seen from the front and side, and the other color is seen from the back.  Typical combinations are Green to the front and side plus Red to the rear, or Amber to the front and side plus Red to the rear.  These assemblies are recommended only for direct application as markers in N Scale and Z Scale.

Options:

• Prices:  $8.00 each for Amber plus Red (ARML-WT03), $10.00 each for Bluish-Green plus Red (GRML-WT03).  Pairs if identical assemblies are priced at $16.00 per pair for Amber plus Red (ARML-WT03-2) and $20.00 per pair for Bluish-Green and Red (GRML-WT03-2).  See below for the EZ42 driver for dual-color LED marker light assemblies.
• Current Limiting Resistors are NOT available already installed.
• A drilling guide is supplied with each pair of dual-color markers upon request.
• Many other combinations are possible (for example, for emergency vehicles), such as Blue and Red, Blue and White, White and Green.

Marker light driver circuits can be simply driven from any simple source of AC or DC voltage, including batteries, DC track power, DCC track power, decoder outputs, or Aristocraft track power.  Richmond Controls offers special driver circuits that can do more than simple circuits.  This includes providing flicker-resistant operation from track power, providing constant intensity interior lights, driving marker lights and tail signs at constant intensity, and creating special effects such a Mars Light or Gyralight tail lights.  All applications involving special effects, as well as simple flicker-resistant interior and exterior lights, are discussed in the sections on passenger car and caboose lighting. The following are generally limited to Marker Light applications.

Flicker-resistant DC Power Module - Part Number EZ23-0S0, $20.00 - (Typical application:  furnishing flicker-resistant DC power to low voltage light sources, drawing from track power)

The EZ23 FRED flasher built without the flashing circuit can supply steady 2 volt or 3 volt power for several seconds for use at loads up to about 15 mA.  This is a useful substitute for the EZ31, EZ41, EZ51 and EZ61 circuits when no special effects or interior lighting are desired.

The EZ42 module obtains flicker-free power from another module (typically an EZ31, EZ41, EZ51, or EZ61) and creates AC voltage to illuminate two-color LED assemblies.  It is primarily useful for N Scale and Z Scale applications where realistic illuminated marker light detail parts are not otherwise available.  It can drive two dual-LED marker light assemblies at constant intensity while eliminating flickering due to intermittent track power availability or varying track voltage.  It can be used as a daughter board mounted to an EZ31, EZ41, EZ51, or EZ61 mother board, or it can be connected to an EZ23 or battery as a separate module.

Prices:

• $14.00 with no marker light assemblies (EZ42-000),
• $24.00 each for the EZ42 plus a pair of Amber and Red dual color LED marker light assemblies (EZ42-NRY).
• $28.00 each for the EZ42 plus a pair of Bluish-Green plus Red dual color LED marker light assemblies (EZ42-NRG).
• Installation on one of the listed mother boards - no charge when ordered with the mother board (EZ31, EZ41, EZ51, or EZ61).
• All LED current limiting is included with the EZ42 module.

The light from yellow LEDs looks most like the light from dim incandescent lamps, and it generally gives the best results for interior lighting.  However, some applications may require white LEDs for interior lights, if the interior colors are anything other than off-white or shades of tan and brown.  (Other colors do not reflect yellow light well.)

White LEDs for Interior Lighting - See below for prices and details.  (Typical applications:  furnishing white LEDs rather than the standard yellow LEDs for the EZ31, EZ41, EZ51, and EZ61 modules)

We are presently searching for white LEDs to use for these applications.

Some customers have requested dim blue lights in the bar areas of  lounge cars or upstairs in dome cars, to represent night lights.  Any of the boards mentioned, plus the EZ53 LED-only  module, can be converted.  The customer can specify which of the LEDs is to be changed to blue (does not need to be all of them).

• HO Scale Caboose:  EZ31-02W for flicker resistant, constant intensity interior and two surface mount white LED light sources, plus axle wipers to obtain power from the track, $40.00.  The customer must supply marker light castings and metal wheel sets.  Porch lights are an extra cost option ($2.00 each, using white LEDs).

• HO Scale Observation Car:  EZ61-02W for flicker resistant, constant intensity interior and two surface mount LED light sources, plus axle wipers to obtain power from the track, $41.00.  The customer must supply marker light castings and metal wheel sets.  Modules for Kato and Walthers cars with electrical pickup already installed are $4.00 less. Available extra cost options include red Mars Light or Gyralight tail light ($10.00) and a white LED tail sign light ($2.00 each, using a white LED).

• N Scale Caboose:  EZ41-00W for flicker resistant, constant intensity interior lighting, plus axle wipers to obtain power from the track, $33.00.  The customer must supply metal wheel sets, or Richmond Controls can supply Intermountain metal wheels ($1.00 per axle).  Can be supplied with one or two extra white or red surface mount LEDs for $2.00 each.

• N Scale Observation Car:  EZ51-00W for flicker resistant, constant intensity interior lighting, plus axle wipers to obtain power from the track, $38.00.  The customer must supply metal wheel sets, or Richmond Controls can supply Intermountain metal wheels for $1.00 per axle.  Modules for Kato cars with electrical pickup already installed are $4.00 less.  Can be supplied with one or two extra white or red surface mount LEDs for $2.00 each.  Available extra cost options include red Mars Light or Gyralight tail light ($10.00) and a white LED tail sign light ($2.00 each, using a white LED).  The brand and model of the car must be specified.

• N Scale Cabooses and Observation Cars can add an EZ42 module and dual LED marker light assemblies to the EZ41 or EZ51 modules for the additional cost of $24.00 for dual amber and red marker lights (EZ42-NRY), or $28.00 for dual green and red marker lights (EZ42-NRG).

• .N Scale Kato cars:  please see the EZ54 information.  Adding markers is sometimes possible.  The EZ51 works well in all Kato cars if the EZ54 is not preferable.

The total cost (worst case) of all components for dual color LED marker lights for an N Scale Caboose is $33.00 for the EZ41-00W plus $4.00 for wheels plus $28.00 for the EZ42-NRG with dual green and red marker lights, or $65.00.  Other combinations can be configured by adding together all needed components and summing the component costs.  This can be a very confusing process, so please feel free to ask for assistance.  The first step is to specify the target model (for example, Micro-Trains N Scale caboose) and the desired lighting (for example, track powered interior lights and dual color green and red LED marker lights).
 
• Fine N-Scale Interiors for Micro-Trains N Scale cabooses (FNS-2400) are available for $4.00 for a package of two.

• Prototype N Scale special run Micro-Trains N Scale cabooses from George Hollwedel are generally available either singly or in the normal two-pack.  Contact Richmond Controls for availability and price.