For small lights in bulk, check to see if the local toy emporium is still selling their unsold Christmas tree lights at a deep discount. A few years ago I scored a case of 300-lamp clear lights for about per lamp, sockets included. The lamps are 2.5V, so either wire several in series or use dropping resistors. I have so many that the extra lamps in series actually cost me less than the equivalent resistors!
As for switches, Google allelectronics.com. They DO have a flat rate S&H charge of $7.50 per order, but their unit prices are low - and even less in bulk. For the service you plan, their least expensive SPST slide switches should be more than adequate.
Hope this helps.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck,
What are " dropping resistors"?
I take 5 miniature Christmas lights in series and hook as accessory to spare transformer pack.
Unfortunately, I don't need 5 lights in 30 inches.
If I could use something and skip multiple fixtures, my light cord will be better apportioned.
Thanks
pjjkg
Parts Express (www.partsexpress.com) has switches in bulk for good prices.
Cheapest switches I've found.http://www.mpja.com/products.asp?dept=62
You might consider painting the inside walls on the buildings so the light does not shine through the walls, windows ok. I was just reading a post by someone that they did not like seeing light trough the walls. Controlling lamp brightness will help also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
pjjkg Chuck, What are " dropping resistors"? I take 5 miniature Christmas lights in series and hook as accessory to spare transformer pack. Unfortunately, I don't need 5 lights in 30 inches. If I could use something and skip multiple fixtures, my light cord will be better apportioned. Thanks pjjkg
A dropping resistor is a power-waster that converts the energy four of your five lamps would use to create light and heat, and simply converts it to heat. In my case, since I have, literally, thousands of those 2.5v minilamps, the extra lamps are cheaper than the resistor they replace.
There is no rule that says you can't cut the wire between the fixtures and splice in additional wire. Then you can put those five lamps in five widely-separated buildings, still on a single series circuit controlled by a single switch. If you have several such circuits, all the lights in town won't light up and go dark at the same time.
Another alternative, which I use, is to hang the extra lamps over my hidden storage yards (which are immediately below my towns.) Granted, they don't illuminate much - but dimly-lit gloom is an improvement over stygian blackness.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTTA few years ago I scored a case of 300-lamp clear lights for about per lamp, sockets included. The lamps are 2.5V,
Hi GuysI have a question on lights if I may? Are the lights in ready to use buildings also 2.5 V? I want to start hooking up the lights and I don't remember seeing the correct voltage listed. Thanks
Lee
Most of the made-for-model-railroading lights I've seen are closer to 12V so that you can run them off the accessories side of a power pack.