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My wife picked up a red searchlight signal somewhere in Idaho. It is pretty massive, with a heavy backing and the metal facing and hood.  The metal facing would swing away from the back if I could loosen the screw holding the two pieces together. I was able to light it up using my AC transformer at 18 volts.  I would like to use the proper voltage on the bulb.  Does anyone have any  experience or knowledge as to the proper voltage?  And I am assuming that AC voltage is correct rather than DC.  Would like to find the wrench to open the thing up too.  Thanks for any help.

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Originally Posted by wb47:

My wife picked up a red searchlight signal somewhere in Idaho. It is pretty massive, with a heavy backing and the metal facing and hood.  The metal facing would swing away from the back if I could loosen the screw holding the two pieces together. I was able to light it up using my AC transformer at 18 volts.  I would like to use the proper voltage on the bulb.  Does anyone have any  experience or knowledge as to the proper voltage?  And I am assuming that AC voltage is correct rather than DC. 

 

Not if it was from a diesel electric locomotive, as all the low voltage on a diesel unit was/is 74 volts DC (with 64 volt batteries). But then, I'm not aware of "searchlights" on railroad locomotives.

 

Would like to find the wrench to open the thing up too.  Thanks for any help.

 

Yes, I believe it is a crossing light.  How would I tell for sure?

 

As chuck Sartor pointed out...

 

A searchlight target signal would have a clear lens, not red.

 

Searchlight signals have a clear external lens.  The color changed due to moving internal red, amber and green filters between the light source and the external lens.

 

 

http://www.trainweb.org/signals/usssls1.htm

 

 

 

Last edited by Ted Hikel

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