Can you do this?

[hwolf]

In the May 08 issue of MR an article on page 48 discribes a way to make your own interior lighting. My question is this. Can you use more than one LED lamp using only one circuit board? If so, will this cause each lamp to be dimmer?

[SpaceMouse]

I questioned that article. It seems to me it's just a lot of work and expense to replace what a light and a resistor would do.

[MisterBeasley]

Up to the current limits of the circuit, you can put on multiple LEDs.  However, the right thing to do is also use a resistor for each LED, not just one for the whole circuit.  Using multiple LEDs will alter the current vs. what you'd have with a single LED.  This will slightly alter the brightness, but also alter the amount of power the resistor needs to dissipate.  With too many LEDs, you might actually toast the resistor, or melt nearby plastic.

But, Spacemouse is right.  While the article is technically sound, it's the wrong way to go about it.  That particular scheme was designed to use your precious DCC power to drive fixed-base lighting.  Instead of going through all that effort, you can just string together some simple light bulbs and run them off an old computer power supply, train transformer or even a leftover wall-wart.

Small incandescent bulbs have their advantages.  First, they are omnidirectional, just like the lighting in a building.  LEDs shoot a "beam" of light in one direction, so they're great for headlights, but not so much for structures.  Second, incandescent bulbs have a natural, "warm" yellow glow.  That's the color you want coming out your windows, not some garish blue-white shade.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The manner of lighting described in the MR article is fine for the technophobe or the modeler who simply has to have the newest thing to come along. Give me a simple incandescent bulb any day.

[Stevert]

The manner of lighting described in the MR article is fine for the technophobe or the modeler who simply has to have the newest thing to come along. Give me a simple incandescent bulb any day.

  You mean technophile, don't you?   Phobia is the fear of  something.

  Anyway, I agree 100%.  I like gadgets and technology as much as anyone, and maybe more, but that's way over-kill for the intended use.

   Use a wall wart, zip cord, and some 12v bulbs.  Maybe a 9v wall wart with those 12v bulbs if you want a more subdued, less harsh light.

Steve

[hwolf]

I felt the same way that it seemed like a lot of work.I run my lights now of an AC Tranformer. By the way please let me know what a Wall-Wart is. Thanks in advance for the good info.

[Johnnny_reb]

A wall-wart is a small transformer that plugs into the wall. You find them used as a power source for cordless phones, answering machines, cordless drills and anything cordless in the modern home. In short it's just a small transformer. I think they got the name of "Wall-Warts" because the stick out from the wall like a wart.

If you read the specs on the "Wall-Wart" it will tell you what the output voltage is, and what the milliamps (MA) or (Current) output is.