Rope Lighting or Strip Lighting???

[Magnum019]

Wondering on the effects of some High Intensity LED Rope Lighting OR Stip Lighting with Fluoresent Tubing or Others…Anyone able to post pics would be Great!!!

I have Two levels with 18" spaving and looking to add the lighting for the Main Level…

Thanks again…C

[orsonroy]

None of the rope light systems on the market work for illuminating lower decks of multi-decked layouts. Many have tried using them, and all have failed. They just don’t throw enough light (although the blue ones do sort of work for night lighting effects).

Your best bet are flourescents. There have been many discussions on which are “best” to use for layouts, and the concensus is generally that single bulb strips will do nicely, so long as you use “sunlight” bulbs. Keep in mind the fixture’s height, use only good ballasts, and think about adding reflectors between the bulbs and the top of the decks for added lumens.

[BlueHillsCPR]

There are a number of threads discussing this subject. Many guys have had good results using regular incandescent lamp holders but using compact fluorescent bulbs in them. Here is a link to Joe Fugates web site, with some lighting information. Search the Layouts forum for “Layout Lighting” and you will get lots of results.

[Magnum019]

Thanks again for the replies, looks like Day Strip lights and like that Idea of Illuminated Blue lights for Night/Evening

[TomDiehl]

None of the rope light systems on the market work for illuminating lower decks of multi-decked layouts. Many have tried using them, and all have failed. They just don’t throw enough light (although the blue ones do sort of work for night lighting effects).

This would depend on your definition of “enough light.” I am one of the “many” who has “tried them” and they work well on my lower level staging yard. The light level is lower than that on the upper level, but too much light down here would draw the viewer’s gaze to this area which would negate the “hidden” in a hidden staging yard. They give enough light for switching and rerailing.

Unfortunately, the flash added light to the area, but you can see another advantage of the rope lights, they’re flexible and can go around and under other tracks.

[BlueHillsCPR]

None of the rope light systems on the market work for illuminating lower decks of multi-decked layouts. Many have tried using them, and all have failed. They just don’t throw enough light (although the blue ones do sort of work for night lighting effects).

This would depend on your definition of “enough light.” I am one of the “many” who has “tried them” and they work well on my lower level staging yard. The light level is lower than that on the upper level, but too much light down here would draw the viewer’s gaze to this area which would negate the “hidden” in a hidden staging yard. They give enough light for switching and rerailing.

Unfortunately, the flash added light to the area, but you can see another advantage of the rope lights, they’re flexible and can go around and under other tracks.

I think he meant lower levels that have scenery will not be illuminated well enough by rope lighting. That was my take on it anyway. I can see where the rope lighting would be fine for hidden staging but I would agree that it would not typically be adequate for lighting a scene.

[fifedog]

I use blue ropelight strands for nighttime operating. It gives off a soft moonlight effect, but you gotta be carefull to omit shadowing (my system is positioned in the rafters).