Remember that these bulbs I’m using came from a 20 light string. 120 volts divided by 20 = 6 volts. So it takes 2 bulbs to take 11 volts.
Here’s a simple table of some common string lengths using 12 volts as the power.
35: 120 divided by 35 = 3.4 volts. 4 bulbs.
50: 120 divided by 50 = 2.4 volts. 5 bulbs.
75: 120 divided by 75 = 1.6 volts. 8 bulbs.
100: 120 divided by 100 = 1.2 volts. 10 bulbs.
You can see how that works.
Here’s how I prep the two bulb sets to go into a structure.
First I cut the set from the string and leave the joining wire intact. I strip the ends on the other 2 wires.
I then tape the sockets together with electrical tape.
I then loop the joining wire against the 2 bulb bases and tape it in place. When the set is put into a structure the power wires will be attached to the stripped ends.
In this example the bulbs have been separated because it’s a two floor structure. One bulb is in the top while the other is in the bottom.
Here they’ve been wired and are being tested.
And here they’re in operation. The camera makes them seem brighter than they really are.
My system resembles that - with a few insignificant differences.
By using four-lamp strings on 6.3 volts (filament transformer) I get a nice yellow glow out of the 2.5v lamps from 50-light strings. I usually only use one socket per building, and simply lengthen the connecting wires. I don’t mind having to check four places if one lamp dies, especially since having them run on 60% power should extend their lives considerably.
I bought a couple of cases of 150 light sets on clearance the week after Christmas several years ago, at a cost of a couple of cents a lamp (socket and all.) I rather doubt I’ll ever run out of them…
I am probably sounding as though I am nit picking. I like the effect although I personally use cheap LED’s as there is enough glow but your lighting I believe should not be showing through the top level of the signal tower. Because the signalman/operator has to see what is going on outside, there is only minimal lighting … in some cases extremely minimal lighting … on the top level so the operator can see where he is going inside, throw levers and switches etc.
I actually plan to do a similar thing in my Atlas signal tower but put a strip of styrene or card with a pin hole or two to let through enough light to suggest activity. I may have misjudged because of your photos actually how much light is there … I’ve been defeated by taking photos before too!
Hope this helps you as you’ve helped a lot of others with your ideas,
Ordinarilly you’d be correct. But these are no longer signal towers but are privately owned. There are several old railroad structures here in Leesville that are rented out as cheap housing.
Hi Jeff, then I defer. Obviously recycling of buildings is afoot in your part of the US as well. I saw a couple of Signal Boxes in England converted to restaurants in a similar recycling move,
Not at all. The bulbs are very cool burning. My nieghbors 6 year old boy can clench them in his fist with no discomfort at all even after they’ve been going for several hours.
I put my buildings down on a bead of Elmer’s glue. That way if I need to change a bulb I can simply snap the building loose, do what I have to, wet the glue bead with a damp cloth the press the building back down onto it.
All I say to myself is look at Jefferys layout and any method he uses I will definitely NOT do. LOL Anyone following his advice will surely have a retarded looking and lite layout for sure. Thank god this character is not a teacher we’d all be retarded! LOL Looks like RRTrainman is on his way to being a little Jeffery now. Damn shame! JKtrains where are you to remind everyone that Jefferys work is missing more than it has?? I miss you man
I use extra plastic strips on the roof to get to my lights in my buildings so I just remove the roof and replace the bulbs. So far I’ve only had to replace one but its easy to do.
I like using the mini rice light strings you get at Xmas. They’re a lot smaller and don’t throw as much light. Only draw back is they don’t have sockets, so it’s a bit of a pain when they burn out.
I know virtually nothing about electricity - aren’t all the bulbs the same regardless of the number on a string of lights? Does the number of bulbs on the string determine how many bulbs it will take for 12 volts? WIll appreciate your response as your method seems very good and much less expensive than using other type of lighting. Thank you.
