Athearn locomotive LED upgrade

[@leisureshoot]

Great video. thanks for putting this together and posting. You should consider using warm white LED's rather than cool white. They match the prototype better.

[@SoloContracting]

Thanks for watching. I use warm white bulbs presently. I didn't have any when I made this video.

[@davidmuse7004]

Excellent video and install. Very easy and inexspensive, and looks good. Thanks for sharing Muse

[@carverparrish]

Thanks for this video. I am learning A lot on how to use. The leds.and I have A lot of old Athearn s blue box.great kitbashing video

[@jwchenard1]

Thanks, Mr. Solo. (May I call you Han?) This is just what I was looking for. LED's sure make this a great time to be a modeler! -Jason

[@donaldstokes484]

I learned a few new tips and thank you. Also a unique and handy clamp holder. Where can I get one? Very nice video!

[@SoloContracting]

Thank you. Here is an Amazon link for the tweezers. FIBER GRIP TWEEZERS THIRD HAND... www.amazon.com/dp/B00WIX0RFK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf You can also find them on EBay.

[@normbenjamin]

Where did you find that clip holder. Looks like that is an easy extra hand to help in soldiering. .

[@SoloContracting]

www.amazon.com/dp/B00WIX0RFK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf It works really well. Thanks for watching.

[@signman9328]

Helpful video! Where do you hook up your leads to for power?

[@SoloContracting]

I'm using a 3 volt battery and a switch for this.

[@signman9328]

@@SoloContracting I mean, in the finished installation, not just during testing. Aren't you soldering to electrical connections in the loco somewhere?

[@SoloContracting]

In this case the positive wire would be soldered to the blue common wire on a decoder. The negative wire would be soldered to the white wire and a resistor on the decoder.

[@randallzook5570]

awesome thanks for sharing

[@2nd66tube2]

what is your source for flux ?

[@SoloContracting]

Kester 186 Liquid Soldering Flux, RMA Rosin, 2-ounce Bottle smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MR49JY1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_JRH4TF2XM5E2NP00DK6K

[@georgethomas3334]

Very nice, thanks. My blue box locomotives are all DC only. As I am (at 72) new to this, how would one connect the LED wires to the frame/trucks to get power?

[@jaeight]

Awesome idea, way easier than the method I used. Do you know the part number for Athearn lenses? I bet my vacuum has at least three of those little buggers in it. I like the diffused look of the led through the lens

[@SoloContracting]

Thanks for watching. I'm sorry I don't know the number for the lenses.

[@thomream1888]

Hey Aaron, I know this is a year old, I just checked Athearn's website, with no luck. However, you can easily make your own. If you have any friends that build model airplane kits ask them for any leftover CLEAR sprue; or have an old Athearn kit with the clear sprue, simply cut a 1" length, chuck it in your drill, Dremel or even a pin vice; spin and sand with sandpaper or emery board to the correct size and bingo - one more skill to your modeling toolkit! And note: once you shape it to the correct size, if you wave it (quickly!) over a match or candle it will remove the sanding roughness and make a really nice lens.

[@tgriebe]

Hint, kick up the payback speed to 2 X

[@samunderdog1354]

Forget stripping. I heat the wire with a butane igniter then just pull off the insulation.