Platform and Street Lights

[port perran]

So......... I finally bit the bullet and have had a trial attempt at wiring up my platform lights and building lights via a 12v supply purchased from a very helpful little chap in Maplins (just to see if it worked) and I am really pleased with the results. It certainly wasn't as daunting as I thought it would be.
As I'm rebuilding and realigning (slightly) Port Perran station, my first permanent installation will be platform lighting and station interior lighting. A major challenge for me will be making the wiring underneath the baseboards look reasonably neat and tidy !
Think I'll also invest in a potentiometer as well so that I can dim the lights a little.
By the way, Is it possible to "paint" some of the interior lights so that they illuminate a slightly different colour ? If so, what "paint" is advisable ?

[Leo1961]

So......... I finally bit the bullet and have had a trial attempt at wiring up my platform lights and building lights via a 12v supply purchased from a very helpful little chap in Maplins (just to see if it worked) and I am really pleased with the results. It certainly wasn't as daunting as I thought it would be.
As I'm rebuilding and realigning (slightly) Port Perran station, my first permanent installation will be platform lighting and station interior lighting. A major challenge for me will be making the wiring underneath the baseboards look reasonably neat and tidy !
Think I'll also invest in a potentiometer as well so that I can dim the lights a little.
By the way, Is it possible to "paint" some of the interior lights so that they illuminate a slightly different colour ? If so, what "paint" is advisable ?

Well done for taking the plunge.   Basic railway electrics aren't as daunting as they sometimes appear to be 
   

[port perran]

In order to dim the lights, I was thinking of a potentiometer but came across this on ebay :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-12V-Remote-Dimmer-Switch-Controller-Mini-LED-Dimmer-Strip-Light-RF-/370857726830
It would be handy to be able to remotely dim or brighten the lights. Would it work ok ?

[daveg]

Looks like a neat idea PP and I'd be interested too.

I await advice from those that know far better than I before buying.

On the same lines (sorry) I've already got a load of 12v LEDs and plan to run them through a 240v/12v transformer plugged in via a dimmer socket. Not tried it yet but why shouldn't it work?

Dave G

[EtchedPixels]

Probably not what you want - bulbs are best treated to steady smooth DC to keep them going for long periods, dimmers continually cut and restore the power which an LED doesn't mind too much but causes thermal stresses on a bulb.

Better to use an old spare DC controller knob, or another good way if they are a bit right is to wire them in pairs together (ie +ve - lamp - lamp  - -ve) which near enough puts 6v across each and is frequently a simple answer.

Alan

[Wingman mothergoose]

Wouldn't a resistor dim them?

[Frenchie]

Glad I found this thread 'cos like port perran I've got some lights from Joe Kytes and am planning to light the layout.
I've also had to invest in a copy of 'Electronics for Dummies' since what I know about resistors or LEDs could be written on the back of a LED and my knowledge of electrics in general has been somewhat dimmed over the years.
With the station lights I bought Joe sent resistors so I reckon these are 6v rather than 12.
I'm planning to have a go with copper tape to try and keep the spaghetti under the baseboard to a minimum. Has anyone any advice on whether that's a good idea or not?

[scotsoft]

I'm planning to have a go with copper tape to try and keep the spaghetti under the baseboard to a minimum. Has anyone any advice on whether that's a good idea or not?

Here are a couple of examples where members have used copper tape on their layouts.  There are more examples, if you type in "copper tape" into the search facility you will get a list of them 

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=10285.msg174879#msg174879

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3274.msg36641#msg36641

cheers John.

[Frenchie]

Thanks for those links. Very useful.
Especially the second one which also gave me the very useful tip of using plastic straws to keep the wiring tidy.
Now why the hell didn't I think of that one?

[IanUK]

In order to dim the lights, I was thinking of a potentiometer but came across this on ebay :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-12V-Remote-Dimmer-Switch-Controller-Mini-LED-Dimmer-Strip-Light-RF-/370857726830
It would be handy to be able to remotely dim or brighten the lights. Would it work ok ?

I bought something very similar to this off ebay, it works okay on LED's. The only problem is that it is a type of chaser unit that you get on Christmas Trees, and on mine a soon a you turn it on it starts to flash randomly so you have to cycle through each little program until you get to the "steady on" position and then you have to dim it to your requirements.

I found a it bit of a pain in the rear to be honest, unless you are happy for your villagers or towns folk having their own little rave up with randomly flashing houses and lamp posts.

Ian

[Newportnobby]

I found a it bit of a pain in the rear to be honest, unless you are happy for your villagers or towns folk having their own little rave up with randomly flashing houses and lamp posts.

Ian

Perhaps I should rename my layout 'Much Dancing in the Marsh'

[EssexN]

One item that may help out here is a power supply from  Maplin, 12W AC/DC Multi Voltage Power, code number B51QJ which gives an output of Selectable DC 3, 4.5, 5, 6, 9, 12 V. at about 1 Amp. This should be enough power to run up to 10 or twelve bulbs. You can get the appearance of gas lighting at the lower voltages eg 3 to 6 volts and as mentioned before run the bulbs at 9 volts to extend the life of the lamps

David