I'm continuing an old project from before my cancer surgery, which is mounting a Lionel EP-5 shell onto an RMT GG-1 chassis. While noodling about with putting headlights into the little indefinite, I analyzed how RMT went about it.
Basically, the RMT loco uses a solid state E-unit, producing reversing DC current which goes both to the motors and to the headlights at either end. Each end, in turn, has a diode, so the GOW incandescent bulbs only light when the current is going in the appropriate direction.
With this in mind, I experimented with some bayonet mounted white LED 12v bulbs. Sure enough, they also only light when the DC current goes in the proper direction!
This has potential for various applications, including backup lights for early solid state E-unit locos not having them at the moment...
Mitch
