I was wondering what you guys use to light up your layout. I want to build valences above the edge of the layout and put up lights that will be hidden. Do you use fluorescent, Halogen, or normal light bulbs?
I found this site and it has a deep explanation of lighting but wonder what the typical modeler uses.
Thanks for the help…
i used the cheapest 8’ double tube fluorescent fixtures Ace hardware had. i also used the cheapest tubes they sold. i have 14 fixtures in my basement, on 2 circuits, each circuit on it’s own switch. some colors may look different depending on the type of bulbs one uses, but, that has not been an issure for me.
since i retired, i work a lot in the late night and early morning hours.
only draw back so far has been the local pot heads seeing all that bright light through the basement windows and asking if i had any of my crop for sale.
if i had it to do over, i might consider valence lighting but with the white painted wood ceiling, these fixtures work just fine for me.
grizlump
A mix of 8 foot fluorescents, track lighting and a few recessed cans. I like the color mix and the ability of directing light to scenes while maintaining overall illumination.
Whatever you do, be aware that you will probably need more lighting that you think. I have two 15 amp circuits in a 30 x 16 foot room. Also do not leave gaps (end to end) between the fluorescents or you will get stripes of shadow. Halogens get hot but give more and whiter light. Fluorescents come in various color temperatures but can take a while to warm up to full brightness if not in a heated room. Valences are fine. I will be including a string of red and a few blue christmas lights behind one to simulate sunset.
LION does not use/need valances. With 15’+ ceilings, it is just a waste of effort and time. Unfortunately the room (24’ x 27’) has only two pair of 8’ florescent lights. Maybe it was good enough when this room was a classroom (NOT), but not really enough for the LION.
LION has some halogen lights on a stand that can be set up if I need more light where I am working, (NOT) but it is too much of a pain in the tail to bother with, is too hot to work under and takes up too much room in the isles.
Bottom LION. What I got is what I got and is all I’m going to get, or sew it would seam.
ROAR
On my previous layout that had a valance, I used cheap 4 foot florescent fixtures, two tube type. I modified them and made new mounts for the tubes so they would go from end to end and not parallel next to each other. Then I mounted them on the ceiling near the valance.
On my present layout, which is double decked, I am using CFL’s mounted under the upper deck to light the lower deck. The upper deck is lit from the overhead florescent fixtures.
the LION is pondering how he might light the middle decks. The lower deck does not need light: it is supposed to be in a subway tunnel. [swg]
Hello, I installed valance lighting recently. Did so before building the shelf type benchwork. I used single T-8 fluorescent tube fixtures butted up and mounted 35" above the bench top with the valance 6’ 2" above the floor. I painted the backside of the valance and drop ceiling area above the benchtop satin white. The benchtops do not exceed 24" in width, the full backdrops are still in primer white and for me there is plenty of light.
There is a good reference article about lighting and a valance construction drawing on pg.55 of the Dec. 2010 issue of MRR. I did some mock up experimentation before construction and found that mounting the light fixtures out from the edge of the benchtop as the article recommends does indeed help illuminate the front of models, especially those near the edge of the benchtop. I wasn’t able to make the full 9"+ inset the article suggested, but even 5" or 6" helps.
I have a friend who is 6’3", might have to consider making the layout a hard hat area.
good luck, Peter
I don’t use valenced lighting. I have recessed fixtures in the ceiling and use CFLs to reduce energy use and control heat.
