I am interested in using Dept. 56 type buildings on my layout, but I do not want to use the 110-v light strings that come with them. Is anyone using these buildings and do you have an alternative light source - preferably in 12-v range.
thanks, Bob
I have several Dept 56 buildings on my layout and I use the small xmass tree lights (3.5 volts). I use two of them in each building
tom
Thanks for your reply. I think I will have two problems with your solution. First, I don’t want to run any 110-v wires under the layout. I would prefer to power the lights from a train transformer or perhaps the transformers used for outside Malibu lighting. Second, the lighting will be fixed. I am really looking for some way to have each building individually wired - perhaps with some type of quick disconnect plugs. Some of my buildings will be sitting on lift out access hatches which will not allow fixed wiring strings.
Bob
What you are asking for is how I have this wired. This is powered of one of the fix taps on my KW transformer at 6 volts. They are hard wired, but it would be very easy to add some quick disconects. You can pick up the disconnects from Radio Shack.
tom
Tom,
Sorry, I assumed you had the light string plugged into a 110-v outlet. I will look among the xmas decorations for an old string and try it. Thanks.
Bob
Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words, so here we go.
We cut apart a Christmas light string and solder some feeder wires to it and thru the table. The feeder wires is connected to 14 gage wire witch is connected to our transformer at 6 volts.
and here is some pics of the quick disconnects.
hope this helps
tom
Christmas lights come in more than one voltage rating. Unless you have the information on the package, you need to figure out how many are in series in the string. Then divide 120 volts by that number, which will probably be close to 2.5 or 3.5 volts. Watch out for sets that have more than one string, for example, two strings of 50, which would use lamps rated at 120/50 or 2.4, rounded to 2.5, volts, not 1.2 volts.
Tom,
Thanks for the pictures. I found an old string that I can cut apart. On the box it says the lights are 2.5 vollts. I will head to Radio Shack tomorrow to get some of the quick disconnects. Thanks again.
Bob
If using quick disconnects like Tom showed in one of his pictires, use at least one connector which isolates the plug. The picture Tom showed, doesn’t have that. It doesn’t harm, because the worst thing going to happen if they touch is that the light attached dimms, but it keeps you away from searching why a string of lights don’t work.
Using a bit of tape also keeps the electrician away…
Gee Daan, if I left the tape on the quick disconets, you couldn’t see them.
tom
These quick-disconnects are often known by the A-MP trade name “Fastons”. You can get them in fully insulated versions. See http://www.stealth316.com/2-crimpterms.htm .
Just buy some 12v christmas bulbs. They sell them at Walmart. The minis are sold is a package of 6 and are for 10 to 12 bulb stings. The Christmas stuff is out already but if you wait till after they will be 1/2 price (1/2 of 79 cents!!) You can stick them in the sockets of and any old wiring string, just cut it up.
If you want move watts, go the auto section of Walmart and buy some auto light bulbs for interior , turn signal, marker lights and wire them up. Just solder to the bulb. Get a twelve volt transformer at Radio shack, or use a cheap HO transformer (variable voltage will let you dim them too).