How much better is the ‘Woodland Scenic just plug’ system to conventional wiring or fiber optics? I have seen multple ads for this and was wondering how good it is, especially with its new traffic lights
I suppose it depends on your definition of “better.” I have a fairly large layout with a lot of lighting. It’s all conventional wiring, and works very well. On the other hand, if i had a Christmas tree layout that got put up and taken down every year, something like the Just Plug system would certainly speed installation.
This looks like it would be a large added expense for the convenience. You’re kind of limited to WS products including connectors and cables.
What I have seen of the system (here in the U.K.) is it is a neat idea. Looks really good in a small promotion. Simple too.
I toyed with getting it for my layout. Then I began adding the cost for the buildings on my 11ft x 8ft layout.
Maybe later. Much later. Maybe never. A shame really.
David
Well, it’s certainly better at draining your wallet…
My definition of “better” would be how easy it is to use, which I suppose it is since it is just plugging in wires, and how good it looks on a layout lighting wise
I’m not rich or set in my ways…but WS’sP&P, it works for me. 23’ x 29’ around the wall anywhere between 4’ out form the wall (yard) and 2’ out from the wall (double track mainlines with industries) wide. The 2’ sections are going to be widened to 2’-6’'.
I do not have inside housing or traffic lights yet. Only streetlights and lighting around Industries on poles and on the outside of buildings.
Just a reminder that you don’t have to have a Just Plug hub to be able to use the components, if that is what part of your concern is. DC power with the proper resistors installed on each of the pieces works nicely.
Well, it certainly is not a concern, but that is really useful to know!
I did forget to mention, I am planning on using DCC. Will this affect how I use my system? thanks!
The DCC is for the trains and control of accessories with recievers. The POWER for the lights is a simple DC power source.
I have used the system on a new section of layout and really liked it. I was working with a scratchbuilt station that I wanted something that was going to be completely reliable. The system has several advantages over using just less. It has the ability to dim them. LEDs are generally on full and off. The system is more expensive for sure. They include the resistor on the led rather than in the box so that limits what you can do HOWEVER the streetlights etc use a linker plug that can be bought separately. This has the resistor in the linker plug. This means you can use a conventional led however I would use the smaller smd leds. There are some hanging green led lights I got off ebay that I am going to use in this manner. Just haven’t got the building done yet.
Jim
I am glad to hear that so many people are pleased with the WS system, and I fully appreciate that its simplicity is a major bonus. Personally however, I think that it is an overly expensive and rather limited system when compared to what I can do myself with some LEDs, resistors, wire and a few power supplies. That is absolutely not a criticism of the WS lighting system! It is not a bad system, except possibly for the price.
I can buy 100 0603 warm white LEDs for $6.49 on eBay and I can buy 100 1K ohm resistors for about $5.00 including shipping. Or, if you prefer, the same LEDs with wires attached and built in resistors can be had for $48.00 Cdn. Two WS warm white stick on LEDs cost $16.00.
I think the real issue might be how comfortable people might be about the difficulty of soldering all the bits together. That is a real problem if you are not confident with a soldering iron, and please understand that I am not trying to belittle anyone who isn’t comfortable soldering.
The bottom line is that if you are happy with the WS Plug and Play lights, then go for them! I am a more of a ‘do it yourself’ kind of guy. In fact, to be honest, I really do not like the ‘RTR’ stuff (with the exception of some really nice RTR rolling stock that I couldn’t scratchbuild if my life depended on it). Much of my enjoyment from the hobby comes from doing it myself.
Cheers!!
Dave
Not for a LION.
It might be ok if your are running a 4x8 or a little larger, but once y ou start going around the walls you just will not get the unit and the lights close enough together.
Personally i will be using this on a 30"x80" and eventally a 110"x80" if I have the room
But aren’t you just doing it the old fashioned way? Not using the fancy plugs and hubs, and locking yourself in to one manufacturer seems like less bang for the buck.
I’m a fan of the just plug system. However, like many others have mentioned I also purchase LEDs online and use walwarts to light small buildings and large industrial buildings where I don’t need the dimming feature of Woodland Scenics.
I was trying to say that you can use the WS just plug stuff like street lights, lighted vehicles, etc, without having to have a hub. The just plug wooden pole lights were exactly what I needed at two different spots, but I can assure you they are not hooked up to a just plug hub. Neither are the WS just plug lighted vehicles I have. I’m not locked in to one manufacturer, but don’t have to avoid using the WS products just because I don’t have the hub.
Hi ACRR46,
There are a couple of ways that you can dim your LEDs.
One is to use higher value resistors. I have used resistors as high as 30,000 ohms to dim LEDs (running on 12 volts) in order to get a fairly dim glow from them similar to a kerosene lantern. This is great for single LEDs.
The other is to use a voltage regulator which can reduce the voltage to multiple LEDs on the same circuit. Here is an example on eBay:
Dave
Inches! LIONS measure layouts in FEET!
Him measures Wildebeests in feet too. Four Feet! : )
Let me rephrase
Personally I will be using this on a 2 1/2’ x 6 2/3’ and eventally a 9 1/16’ x 6 2/3’ if I have the room 
[(-D][bow]