headlight

[botangles]

I have an Atlas HO S4 diesel switcher with non directional headlights, ( so Atlas says ). I only run in DC mode. The headlight on the cab side doesn't work, the front one always works in forward or reverse. I bought it as new old stock and it looks new, a good runner. I'm assuming either the wire attached to the rear headlight is disconnected or the bulb is a dud. I've never done this before, so would I have to take the cab off, would that give me access to the wiring and bulb? Does the cab come off seperately from the rest of the shell? I'm fairly descent at soldering if that needs to be done. Any help would be appreciated, thanks, Bo.

[trailrider]

I believe the whole shell comes off. Regardless, you'll need to remove the whole shell in order to get at the rear bulb...if there is one. If you want bi-directional lighting, the easy way to do it is to connect one lead from each bulb to the frame or one pickup. Buy a couple of small diodes at Radio Shack. They need to be rated at about 18-24 (I think) volt Peak Inverse Voltage. You solder the other lead from each bulb to the diode so the light in one direction comes on when the loco is going in the same direction as the bulb at that end of the locomotive. Don't solder anything until you have the directions straightened out. If the headlight at one end is a blind dummy, you'll have to drill a hole for the bulb. Be sure the bulbs are rated at at least 14v. If you use LED's, you'll have to figure out what wattage resistors to wire in series with the leads. If you use LED's you won't need the diodes that you need with incandescent bulbs. Just hook up the proper leads from the LED's.

[MGWSY]

I dont think the unit has a bulb in the cab. I remember installing LEDs for a friends S4 that I turned down on a lathe for a perfect fit. Here are some pics, I used a 1000 Ohm Resistor.

[botangles]

Thanks for the excellent ideas and feedback Trail & MGW, just heard back from Atlas and there is no rear light in the cab. Have to say I'm surprised as I have a few Atlas engines all with bi directional lighting. I know where I stand now, so can go ahead with great input from both of you and start installing a cab headlight. Thanks again, Bo.

[diburning]

It's an older Atlas model. It was originally manufactured by Roco for Atlas. Atlas later took the tooling and produced it themselves (calling it the Atlas Classic line) but never added the cab headlight.

[botangles]

Yea, Atlas said it was manufactured in 2004, the one thing besides the non working rear headlight you notice is the weight, compared to other Atlas engines that I own the S-4 feels like it was cast in lead, extremely heavy. Sometimes I wonder why such a huge weight difference with other Atlas engines. Bo.