This subject may have been covered before but, I am in the process of completing a room for a layout and will use ceiling mounted flourescent fixtures ( 6 for a 12 x 16 layout). Have tried daylight tubes and do not like them(too blue). Have checked the Phillips website and find lots and lots of different tubes. Rather that buying two of each I am wondering if there are any suggestions regarding which tubes to use.
Try these to topic searches,
Fluorescent Lighting
Lighting a Double deck layout
This link is in the 2nd thread, it may give you some ideas
http://siskiyou.railfan.net/model/constructionNotes/lighting.html
good luck [8D]
John
wemaguire,
I have sold fluorescent lights in the past so I may be able to help. It depends on what color of light you are looking for. The color of fluouescent light is expressed in degrees Kelvin. You are correct about the “Daylight” bulbs being blue. They are rated at 6,000 to 7000K, that gives off a blui***int. If you are looking for a more “white” light, you want bulbs that are rated between 4,100 and 4,200K… If you go any lower than that then you will start getting into the “warm white” which starts giving off a beige or tan hue. If you do want white, go to a dealer who knows their stuff, and just tell them you want bulbs rated between 4,100 and 4,200K. Hope this helps, John
If memory serves, I read an article in MR or RMC a number of years ago on this topic (comparing a number of different types of lighting and types of fluorescent) and came to the conclusion that “cool white” bulbs were a good compromise. Aren’t they in that 4000K range?
Anyway, they are what I use on the CCRY and I’m OK with the light given off. I realize it’s hard to duplicate real daylight and there may be other fluorescent bulbs that may do a better job, but they can get spendy…So for the money (sometimes only .89 when on sale) the cool whites are my sunshine!
Last but not least; good choice “wemaguire”, I strongly believe that fluorescent is the way to go, being relatively cheap and easy to install and very energy friendly too boot.
The ones you want are rated at 5000K. They give the best natural looking light without the extra red or blue.
This has been very informative. I just bought whatever the big box stores had available without even realizing the variance in ratings. I did notice that one brand cast a pinkish hue on my backdrop which was quite noticable when installed next to the other brand which was more bluish white. Now I understand why and what to look for.
One more quick point if I may? Try to have the same “color” and type of light in the final assembly and painting area of your shop, especially if you are weathering. You may find that what looks good on the bench may look different on the layout.
This falls in the been there done that catagory.
Tom.
Last fall I bought 7 small (3 foot) flourescent fixtures and had an electrician install them in a small bedroom I was going to use for my layout room. I immediately noticed random objectionable humming or buzzing from time to time from one or more of the fixtures. I started researching this on the internet and found that the more expensiven flourescent fixtures can now be purchased with “electronic” ballasts that do not hum or flicker in any way like conventional ballasts may do. I had these fixtures replaced with new fixtures the same size with electronic ballasts and the buzzing stopped immediately. These new fixtures were about $15 more each than my original fixtures but to me they were were well worth it. Maybe my small quiet room was the problem but the noise was driving me crazy and I really am glad I replaced these fixtures before I finished my benchwork. Electronic ballasts may be something you want to consider before buying your flourescents. If you hunt around I think they are available in most every size but they will cost you a little extra…
Thanks guys for the info. I am going to try a sample of 5000k and 4100k to see which ones I like better. Tom, I agree the shop should have the same lighting, especially for painting. My spray booth already has a flourescent in it. I definetly will use the newer electronic ballast fixtures. Room is almost done, soon I can start layout construction.