A variation of the Golden White LED is available from Richmond Controls in both the 3 mm and 5 mm sizes.
The variation is white, similar to the Golden White LED, but with very little gold tint. No blue tint has been noticed. This version is being called a “Sunny White LED” to differentiate it from the Golden White LED.
The feature that may be most interesting to some users is that the package is CLEAR, rather than having the mild orange tint like the Golden White LED.
Anyone not familiar with the use of white LEDs is encouraged to print and read the document RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USING WHITE LEDs that can be accessed here as a WORD file. This document can be copied or printed for personal use. Richmond Controls will maintain a supply of the electronic components listed in that document so that customers will have the option of purchasing everything needed from one source.
Richmond Controls can also supply either LED with its tip reduced in diameter, for those wanting to install the LED directly in the headlight opening of a locomotive.
Sunny White LEDs are available from Richmond Controls for the same Suggested Retail Price as the Golden White LEDs, $1.50 each, for either the 3 mm or 5 mm size. LEDs with reduced tips are $3.00 each. An easy way to measure the body shell hole diameter is to use a numerical drill set to find the largest drill size that snugly fits in the hole.
More Information:
A simple survey was conducted at the December 2003 Oklahoma City Train Show to
obtain opinions from serious model railroaders about the Sunny White LED. The
Sunny White LED and Golden White LED were included in a display with six other
LEDs removed from model railroad locomotives. None of the LEDs was identified
except by a randomly-chosen letter in the sequence A - H. All LEDs were driven
at 3 mA. Modelers known to be serious about details were asked to decide
whether or not each of the LEDs would have an appropriate color for a model
railroad headlight, and they were asked to explain their reasoning.
The Golden White LED and the Sunny White LED were chosen in nearly all cases. Some people showed a slight preference for one or the other. Very few people felt that the stark white “Bright White” LED was appropriate. NOBODY liked the bluish white or bright yellow LEDs. On the basis of this simple survey, Richmond Controls decided to offer the Sunny White LEDs for sale as well as the Golden White LEDs.
It appears that the Golden White LED is the best choice for color, particularly when the LED is used inside a locomotive to illuminate the input end of a light guide. The best application for the Sunny White LED appears to be for those installations where the tip of the LED is visible from outside the locomotive. When it is off, the Sunny White LED will appear like a clear lens, rather that an orange lens as with the Golden White LED.