Here is some more info for you to consider. My space is similiar to yours 6.7M X 4M. My layout is double decked with a peninsula. There is one side of the peninsula that is not double decked. I have bright lighting on both decks using a similar system to Joe F. and I currently have 53 lights in the space. Most are CPFLs. I figure that I may need to add around 10 to 15 more by the time the layout is complete. I hope this gives you some idea of the numbers.
In this shot you can see the lights under the valence. The bottom deck is dark due to construction.
Here you can see the effect of the lighting on both decks. They do have some shadow spots but it looks darker in the photo than in person. My fixtures are mounted to be moveable and as I comple scenery on the bottom deck I can add and adjust lighting to suit the scene.
Thanks for those pictures and the info. It helps. I have one question. What is CPFLs?
I’ve done a little mock up research to night. I had to wait until it got dark which means sometimes after 11pm around here this time a year. I think the lights give plenty of light. So I think that the Halogen lights could be placed almost a meter apart. I’m not really looking for to bright anyways. I think your look just about right.
I will perhaps use these halogens on the top deck only and then use Joe Fugates method on the lower deck. That should keep heat to a minimum and the halogen lights will look good in the roof.
And just put in 15 and 25 watts regular lights instead?
They are about 2,20$ each. So getting 120 wouldn’t be very costly. I can then use the halogens I already got as top deck and room lightning and above the work bench.
CPFL = Compact flourescent bulb. The curly cue ones that screw into a regular light socket. I use the warm white. I use the 11 watt ones that give a 40 watt equivalent light. Nestled in the lower deck they get warm, but not hot and they give a pleasing light.
The sockets look good, I was able to find some in the US with wires already on them for around the same price as yours. When you are looking at putting leads on 60 fixtures, any little bit helps…
I agree that the heat from that many halogen spots will be tremendous. The light will be very harsh and show many shadows. I would suggest checking into the lighting that Joe Fugate uses on his layout. It appears that you are looking for the same effect and the showdow box constuction will be similar to his. A much softer light will be needed in this case.
Ok, So CFPLS are simply low energy light like IKEA sells for 2,50$ in Sweden. They come with 11 watts as well. I’m going to return 27 of the halogens today and go with your guys suggestions. 3 I will be keeping since the wife wants me to put them over the work area in the kitchen.
Bob, I have the Fugate videos and I would like to replicate his brilliant effort.
Anyone know what colour spectrum CFPLS got? Are they like regular light bulbs?
You can get them in various colors. I find the normal ones in stores are around 2700k. I went to www.buylighting.com and got 5100k CFLs. You can get them either dimmable or nondimmable. Some folks have seen the GE daylight CFLs in stores and they are supposedly in the 5000k range. I’ve not found any in the floodlight variety in stores.
In regards to Jeff’s comments. I think that the lights I am using are in the incandescent range of color temp. - I think around 3500K. I have a couple of the daylight bulbs but they look too blue to my eyes. That is just me and I have a bias towards the warm white. I just like the look of the light.
One thing to consider is that you want to have fairly consistent color temp across the layout. The colors will look different under different light temps. I have a large collection of craftsman cars that I built and weathered using incandescent light. When I see them under daylight bulbs they look a little off to my eye. Because of this, it was a no brainer for me to use 3500k bulbs… If you have no previous baggage like I did, buy a few of each and see what you like.
Make sure that the light at your workbench where you paint and weather your models is the same color temp. as the layout that on which the models will be run or displayed.
