Hi all, can anyone recommend lighting, I imagine LEDs will be way to go, for my 2x8 shelf layout? I see numerous LED strips on Amazon, but am open to other options. Track lighting? Tube lighting? Would appreciate specific product ideas for things on Amazon, or at Lowes or other retailers.
Thank You
Alvie
Liked my track lighting so much from last layout that I used it on new. Bought cans real cheap on e-bay and the track at HD and of course the bulbs are all LED now. Like the way you can move the cans around.
Any thoughts on something like this above the layout, and with a short valance of black cloth around the edge to hide the lights? My layout is only about 2.5' from the ceiling to the top of the track.
https://www.amazon.com/PAUTIX-Dimmable-Daylight-Self-Adhesive-UL-Listed/dp/B08M8YRXFS/ref=sr_1_57?dchild=1&keywords=LED%2Bdaylight%2Bwhite%2Bstrip%2B6000k&qid=1629768892&refinements=p_72%3A1248909011&rnid=1248907011&s=lamps-light&sr=1-57&th=1
While my partially double-decked layout has always been lit by fluorescent lights (26 or 27 4' double tubes, and two 8' double-tubes...
I'm gradually changing some of them to LEDs like these...
...most are over the single level of the layout, as the light's beam angle is only 120º. I've used them over one of the staging yards on the upper level...
...but with the track less than 2' below the ceiling, there's not enough light for using them over the main upper level of the layout, where there's more scenery and details that I want to be fully illuminated. The option of placing them closer together gets expensive fairly quickly.
The fixtures are from Trenz Lighting, and can be purchased singly or in four-packs. They come in warm or cool light output (I use cool to match the fluorescents), rated at 680 lumens, and are dimmable, suitable for wet locations, and suitable for direct contact with insulation, too.The fixtures are 1/2" thick, and come with a control box that needs to be wired into your household wiring. The actual light fixture plugs into a wire which extends from the control box.
A cardboard pattern is included in the package, for making a suitably sized cut-out in the tiles of a suspended ceiling or in a drywalled ceiling. The light fixture has sprung clips to keep it in place and also to allow it to be removed.
The box shows a life-span of 50,000 hours.
I'll likely put some of the removed fluorescents into the ceiling over the double-decked portion of the layout, to supplement what's there, as, in my opinion, you can't have too much light.
Wayne
I use 1X4 LED panels from Lightup.com. Mine are 5000k to simulate daylight (I think. They might be 4000k. Memory goes with age, you know). The panels are relatively inexpensive (~$40 each) and so far none have failed.
Here's how they look over Casper Yard:
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
On the most recent expansion of my layout, I used the LED strip lights from Micro-Mark:
https://www.micromark.com/Warm-White-High-Intensity-LED-Flexible-Light-Strip-5-meters
I used fluorescent lights for the older part, but would have used the LED strips if they'd been available.
You might find black cloth as a valance isn't enough to block the light. I use 1x3s painted black on the outside.
Thank you guys for the responses. Those Micro-Mark LED strips look great and I may go with those.
Alvie,
A couple of my friends are using the Micro Mark system and I have seen it on their layouts. It looks great. I use CPFLS And I like the look but I will be relacing the bulbs with 3500K LED bulbs as they wear out.
Two things to think about are color temperature and color rendition or CRI index. Color temp is controversial as the modeling community tends to divide into two camps: one likes the 3500K range as it is the same range as incandescent bulbs. The other camp prefers the 5-6K range as it is close to sunlight – the colors do look bluer and less yellow/orange as the temperature increases.
You want to pick a temp and stick with it. Use the same color temp to paint and build models as the color temp on the layout for best results.
Here is a link to an excellent clinic on layout lighting that you might find helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbimQJHXc4
Have fun,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
On my work bench I have an Ott-Lite, not sure of the light temp, and I'm away from home, but it's a bright, white light with virtually no yellow tinge. For the lighting, I think I'll go with the Micro-Mark strips. The companies neutral white ones on a dimmer look like they'll do well for me. I am thinking two strips, for four rows of lights, plus, a dimmer, and their 33-amp power supply (it might be overkill, but that'd be a good supply for when I can build a much larger layout).
The Ott light and the Led Micro Mark strips will be a good combination - The color temp of the Ott light is 5,000 K and the Led strips are around 4500 K - close enough.
Good luck with the project.
I ordered two strips of MicroMark LEDs, one warm white and one cool white as the Neutral white ones were out of stock and MicroMark said one could use the two together to create a neutral white effect. I'll see how it goes. A person on another forum said I only need one strip to light the layout so I'll try that first.