Interior lighting question

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have an engine house sitting in the dark. This one.

I want to light the interior to make it more visible. I have 3mm leds with either 1K or 250 ohm resistors or I can picl up some small 12 volt (I think they might be grain of wheat) lamps. It will powered by a 12 volt transformer dedicated to a turntable motor.

What would you suggest? If I do it tonight, these are really my only options. I’m installing it tomorrow.

2

Have you considered flood lamps on the interior? Just go to Walthers and type in “Flood”

You could create rows of Fluorescents using EL wire. That would work well with 12 volts.

Then you could use the grain of wheat bulbs. They work great IMHO for small 12V ceiling lamps. They are Plenty bright.

Maybe some of these:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/261-660
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/296-105
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/296-400
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/502-721
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/502-741

3

Thanks DG,

The first two are more like I had in mind. However, I won’t have time to get them delivered. I was thinking of cutting a cone out of sheet metal.

4

Chip
Led’s are bright but most have a small lighting area. Try one out first. I’d go with the grain of wheat bulbs. Although G of W bulbs typically draw something like 25 to 50 milliamps, be sure that the total draw of power from all the lamps don’t exceed the transformer’s amperage rating. Two or three bulbs per stall should be enough.

5

I’d go with the 12v incandescents. A word of caution though on your power source: you should definitely check the output of your transformer with a voltmeter. THey often put out higher-than-rated voltage which will at worst instantly burn your lamps out and at best, dramatically shorten their lives. The transformer’s output will be lowered somewhat as you increase the load so you would get the best “quick and dirty” reading by checking the voltage while it is powering the turntable.

6

In general, I would say incandescent bulbs are better for structure lighting than LEDs. I would get some of the Model Power 14v ones, for a 12v supply. They will be plenty bright and last longer running slightly under their rated voltage.
The only palce I am considering LEDs is where there are flourescent lights. White (regular white, not the ‘golden’ or ‘sunny’ ) more closely resemble flourescent lights. But it was sort of a rarity in the 50’s, so I won’t have too much of that.

–Randy

7

The LHS was supposed to be open until 7, I go there at 6:45 and it was closed. Unless I hold the project a week. No lighting.

Can I get a Harummph?

8

You can exit from the ‘Dark side’ by:

  1. Using incandecent’s - 3 per stall, pus 3 (1’st side).
  2. run in parallel - Add up the Amps.
    3 Buy a Dedicated supply or Transformer that will safely handle that load.
  3. Paint the interior Black and add masking tape if needed - to plug leak’s and keep light from showing through walls.
  4. Use heavy enough guage buss wire so you won’t have a ‘fire sale’.

Voltage is relatively unimportant except to match the lamps.

I use 6 volt 50 miliamp bulbs (got a deal) with a 5 volt 5 amp supply. The amps and lumens do the work - add fmore bulbs for more light - reduce for less.

9

Well, I cant help on what lights to use. I just have these little critters that are regular bulbs, just super small that I power off of a DC transformer, gives me the ablity to dim or brighten… dont know if its right, but I havent blown any up yet nor have I electructed myself…

Anyways…

Chip, that building looks really, really good. I have that same kit and I plan on useing it in my new layout (since I will have more room). Guess you upped the ante on me. Good job. Only thing I can think of, is it wioudl really good if you had some lights on the outside maybe, to light up the yard or somethng… Just an idea

Best regards
John k