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Layout room lighting?
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The problem with the PAR cans (stage lighting) is that they're typically much bigger than standard residential track lighting, and they put out a god awful amount of heat. I want to keep the center room lights as flourescents (those new flourescent bulbs that screw in, and replace standard incandescent lights) for when I'm working on or under the layout (plenty of bright light). They would be turned off during an op session, and only the track lighting would be on. I took some measurements this morning. The standard track length is 4', so I'll do a 12' length of track on each side of the room, with about 7 lights total per track. 5 facing each side of the layout, and 2 facing in toward the peninsula. <br /> <br />My local Lowes has track for $10 a section, and lights for $10 each, so total we're looking at around $100 per side, or $200 total, not including wiring and the dimmer switches, but that's still alot less than I was expecting. I was thinking of starting off with full 12' tracks on each side, and since the lights are essentially 'plug and play' I can start with just a few lights on each side and add more as I go, up to my planned 7 per side. I'm planning to use the smallest round back lights they have, so that the operators won't be banging their heads into them, and the heat from the bulbs will still be far enough above not to cause a problem either. Plus I can run the ceiling fan to circulate the air if it does get too warm, since the room is air conditioned as well. <br /> <br />My main concern now is just exactly where I want to run the wires for the lights. I'm not sure how difficult it will be snaking wire through the ceiling, so if it turns out to be a pain, I may run the wire down the corner of the walls, where it will be least noticeable, and hide it with paint and scenery.
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