Has anyone purchased the new Woodland Scenics Just Plug system for lighting on your layout? I am thinking of purchasing the system since I have very little electrical knowledge and confidence in doing my own lighting. I was looking for some thoughts on this system from anyone who may be using it,I know it's new so there is the possibility that no one has used it yet. I am aware that it is an expensive way of installing the lighting on my layout, but it's the only way I will feel comfortable doing the lighting.
You're exactly the type of person the Just Plug system was designed for -- someone who doesn't know anything about electrical wiring and wants everything to be 'plug-n'play,' even if it's going to cost twice or three times the amount it would be if you knew how to hook two wires together.
Hi Woodman,
Although a very easy way in lighting accessories, it really is not difficult doing this yourself. Most accessories will come with 2 wires, one for power (red) the other for common(black). Now it is just wiring these 2 wires to a pwer and common power source, a transformer for etc. If there are multiple accessories which in most cases there are, you can consider a terminal block to wire all the wires to it then the power and common of the terminal block is wired to your power source. The best to you. I am personally using a system from a friend using 66 block punch down's that he used when working in telecommunications. Here is were I had to get help and just kept asking questions, it is workin out very well.
Take care.
It may be worth your while to learn basic wiring for lighting. It is really pretty simple. Not only is it a lot cheaper, but you would have the ability to wire anything you wanted to without having to purchase more WS units. As cacole so gently put it it is little more than two wires from a power source to the light. To light multiple spots I would run two wires to a central point, connect one wire to a barrier strip, which is a plastic bar with a bunch of screw contacts on it. I would connect the other wire to another barrier strip. then run a wire from from each barrier strip to your light. Doing this allows you to run many wires from the barrier strips to any number of lights. Really the WS unit is the same thing, just costs a lot more. As I said the real advantage to this is you will have the ability to wire almost anything given the knowledge you will have obtained in the process. Jump in it ain't rocket science.
cacole You're exactly the type of person the Just Plug system was designed for -- someone who doesn't know anything about electrical wiring and wants everything to be 'plug-n'play,' even if it's going to cost twice or three times the amount it would be if you knew how to hook two wires together.
Alton Junction
Toto... I don't think this is plug and play any more...
It is made from LEDs salvaged from a Christmas set. And, well I just put it together, let me show you...
I cut a strip of peg board four feet long, I drilled small holes at either end to hold the bus wires in place. I dropped LEDs into the holes, the Cathode (short wire-big flag) facing away from me is wired via a 1000 ohm x 1/4W resistor to the ground bus. The other leg is soldered directly to the +12v dc bus.
Once I have tested this, and assured that all of the lamps work and are well soldered without any loose joints, I fill the hole from the back side with black modeling clay to prevent light leakage, and to hold the LEDs in place.
The GRound bus is (duh...) connected to Ground, the power bus is connected to + 12 v dc. If you are using a wall wart for your power source, or even if you are not, the negative pole of your supply is also connected to ground.
These lamps are just varriations on a theme...
The posts are Diamond brand coffe stirrers, the kind with two channels in them. The LED is simply wired to two wires, one passed through each channel. Attach a white wire to the cathode side, and a colored wire to the anode (+) side of the LED. Attach an in-line resistor to the white wire, LION covers the resistors of him in shrink wrap to prevent shorts.
LION painted the posts green. Him also painted some thumbtacks green, cut off the pointy part and glued them to the top of the LEDs to create these attractive Lamp posts. Do they look a little oversized to you? Well, that is the prototype, NYCT uses VERY LARGE lamp heads on the platforms of them since they are metal halide lamps and rewuire ballasts which are enclosded in the fixture head.
The wind block is made of ribbon wire from a computer, the building is indeed in that location at Avenue H in Brooklyn, LION photographed it is situ, joined the photos together and created this backdrop for this station.
LION does not want to intimidate you or anything, but you really do need to become comfortable with basic electricity , wiring and soldering.
Not that a LION would ever do anything simple!
LION is SO clever. Won't you come and pet the LION?
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BroadwayLion
Rich
Consider it a learning opportunity. You can get LEDs in cheap large quantities, along with resistors, and some simple power supplies. Experiment - there are plenty of sites for basic electric circuits that show up with a Google search. Even if you fry a dozen LEDs in experimenting before you get it right, costwise you'd still be ahead of the Just Plug system.
Heck, after next week, I will probably be working at a client in Horsham every day for the rest of the month. I can always show you the basics.
Besides the inflated cost, my other problem with the pre-wires stuff is - well, it's designed for people who don;t understand wiring. So what happens when the supplied wires aren't long enough? The wiring novice has to now figure out how to splice in extra wire? I've seen the nightmares that causes when turnouts are connected to the control box by fixed wires instead of having screw terminals, and it ends up not being long enough.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
woodmanI have very little electrical knowledge and confidence in doing my own lighting.
If you have the skills to wire up the track, you will be fine with adding lights. Start out with one light and go on from there.
Jim
woodmanHas anyone purchased the new Woodland Scenics Just Plug system for lighting on your layout?
Anyone going to answer the OP's question?
maxman woodman Has anyone purchased the new Woodland Scenics Just Plug system for lighting on your layout? Anyone going to answer the OP's question?
woodman Has anyone purchased the new Woodland Scenics Just Plug system for lighting on your layout?
richhotrain cacole You're exactly the type of person the Just Plug system was designed for -- someone who doesn't know anything about electrical wiring and wants everything to be 'plug-n'play,' even if it's going to cost twice or three times the amount it would be if you knew how to hook two wires together. You are such a meanie!
You are such a meanie!
But...A honest one.
Take Care!
Frank
Not everyone is comfortable around electricity and electronics. They should not be ridiculed for being so.
LED's, Resistors, Wire, and Power Supplies are cheap. Easiest way to learn is asking a few questions on a forum like this and expiriment yourself. That's the way I have learned all of my model railroading skills. Unless your into the realm of layout automation, nothing in this hobby is that complicated that most anyone can learn through a little trial and error. Plus, it's good for the soul.
With regard to Randy's concern about extending the wiring, Woodland Scenics sells 48" extension cables for $5.99. I'm guessing they could be daisy chained (strung together end to end) within reason.
I agree with everyone, including the OP, who has said that the system is a pricey way to get lighting, but if the OP would rather not get into wiring that is his choice.
I will also offer to walk the OP through some basic wiring if he, or anyone else for that matter, wishes to take the plunge.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
woodman:
I don't think you can get a direct answer to your question just yet. I looked through the Woodland Scenics web site and everything I checked in the 'Just Plug' page is not available until Feb 2015. Some of the LEDs are not priced yet. I only checked 5 or 6 items, but the basic 2 light starter system shows future availability so I'm guessing the rest is too. You can get them to send you an e-mail as soon as the parts are available.
Hopefully, if the availability estimate is accurate, they will be out in the market soon. You could phone them to perhaps get a better answer. 573-346-5555