SEARCHLIGHT SIGNALS
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SEARCHLIGHT SIGNALS |
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The Signals on the Redlake Junction Railroad are made from old CD's. I use computer data CD's but any type of CD should work.
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Each signal head requires two CD’s. The CD’s are glued together with PVC Cement. I glue them together face to face because the paint does not stick to some of the labeling on the CD’s.
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After the CD’s are dry you center a piece of 3/4” PVC Pipe on the CD’s and draw a line with a marker to mark the new hole size. With a 7/32” drill bit make a "Swiss cheese pastern between the old CD center hole and the inside of the line. Using a Dremel Tool remove the remaining Plastic. A reamer could be used for this also. The hole does not have to be perfect. The 3/4” pipe coupler will cover up the imperfections. Use the 3/4” electric box cover for a template and drill two 7/32” holes in the CD to mount it to the electric box |
The 3/4” Pipe Coupler is inserted into a piece of scrap pipe and cut with a chop saw at a 45 degree angle to form the hood. A 1 1/2” long piece of 3/4” PVC pipe is also cut with the chop saw. |
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Cut about a 1/4” off the end of the 3/4” pipe cap with a PVC pipe cutter. DO NOT USE THE CHOP SAW FOR THIS. Parts will fly everywhere. This cut does not have to be strait. |
Insert the 1 1/2” long piece of 3/4” PVC pipe into the coupler. You can glue this if you want to but it is not necessary. Glue this to the front of the CD. Glue the 1/4” piece of the pipe cap on the back of the CD to help hold it all together. |
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The remaining pipe cap is used to hold the LED’s. I use Red. Green and Yellow. 4 small holes are drilled in the pipe cap for the LED leads. one for all the positive leads and one for each negative lead. You must use Super Bright LED’s. I use 5mm (15 Deg.): 6,800 mcd LED’s from Lighting Components LED Corp. Here is the Link to their Web site: http://www.lc-led.com/ecommerce3.html You can cut a piece of picture frame glass into a circle and insert this between the coupler and the 1 1/2” long piece of 3/4” PVC pipe if you would like. I use LED’s for the light source and have found the glass is not necessary. The glass is very hard to cut into a circle also. The signal Head can now be painted Black.
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The base of the signal is made of concrete. I use an 8 inch Plastic flower pot for the concrete mold. A 1” hole is drilled in the center of the Flower pot and one on the side of the flower pot. Insert the 3/4” sweep through the side hole and then into the top hole. Turn it upside down and fill with concrete. When the concrete is dry assemble the metal coupler and the 18” long 3/4” pipe to the electric box and the base. Put a pipe plug in the top of the electric box and paint this all silver or aluminum color. For a double headed signal add a 3/4” close nipple and another electric box.
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