The alternator idea is probably the easiest route to take, alternators need to spin fairly fast, so could be 'geared up' from the through shaft within a 4" scale body, but would probably need a battery to 'excite' the alternator. As Tufty pointed out the voltage is self regulated, so the engine revs could rise and fall a bit without blowing bulbs, there is also a pamphlet available describing various modifications to car alternators to perform different duties. If the engine is a scenic it would be fairly easy to arrange 'gearing up' via belts putting a car alternator on the exciter platform and using the existing 'casing and shaft' as a countershaft, worth a thought?
|