My street lights use a 6v, 70ma clear bulb. Because of the clear bulb the light is very distracting to the layout even when I add another resistor to dim them. Does anyone know how to correct this problem?
Is there a bulb shaped piece that will slip over the bulb to defuse the light or a special paint?
Brian
Gainesville, GA
I would try painting the bulbs with clear dull coat paint and if that did not work try some thin white paint.
I used some frosting spray laquer on plastic windows. You would have to spray them before putting on layout or spray some into a container and then brush it on the bulb. Just a thought.
-Bob
Brian,
If I may ask,6v,70ma. clear bulb,Who makes those street lights??
Cheers,
Frank
Can you replace the bulbs?
I would first try lowering the voltage even more. I use 16-volt bulbs from Miniatronics, and run them at 12 volts.
Have you put a meter across the bulbs to see what voltage you’re actually putting across them?
What is your power supply? If it is the same supply for all lights then I would consider replacing it with a variable power supply – and I can tell you that if you go to swap meets, you will see trainset quality rectifier power supplies – that is, the ones you would use to actually run your trains – for sale at nearly give away prices, for example a buck or two for old Tyco trainset rectifiers (or you may even have one of your own sitting in some box somewhere). So you would use the variable outlets for the lights and perhaps ducttape the knob control to an acceptable and safe voltage for your lights. It should even be possible to modify the casing and knob so that the knob cannot possibly be turned up to the max which might burn out some lights.
Dave Nelson
LION puts the Model Power streetlamps that he bought in series. But then, they are far enough away from the viewer that the extra light is properly absorbed by the scenery.
ROAR
Since you have already tried reducing the voltage, I think I would go with the “frosted glass” paint. I believe both Rustoleum and Krylon make it.