Best way to control yard and street lights

[sjhenry]

If I combine the advice here it leads to the following strategy

1. Create one or more bus lines for street/yard lights and any structure lights I need
2. Install some power-packs.
3. Hook these up to toggle switches as an initial step
4. At a later date look at an Aux-Box or something like it if I eventually decide I want  to control this via DCC (saves me $120 now). 
5. Learn a lot more about signaling (thanks for the links).
6. Tackle signaling as a separate initiative when I have a good grasp of the subject and concepts needed.

I appreciate all the advice. I am currently building the Virginian as a first layout since I was a teenager. In the last 9 months everything has been a learning experience, so I look forward to this challenge as well.

[gandydancer19]

Signaling is a different bird altogether. The Aux Box will not be the most efficient for it. You need to decide what type of signaling you want to implement. There are very simple signals where the lights change when turnouts are thrown, then there are signals that change when a train passes, and then there is the combination of both of these. If you want the signals to change when the train passes, then you will need to instal some type of block detection. A computer program is usually used as well. The block detection circuit tells the program that a train is here. Then the program tells the signal controller to change the signal aspect or lights.

Here is a link to some basic information that should help you decide what you want to do and how to set it up.

http://www.waynes-trains.com/site/Signals/Model-Railroad-Signaling.html

[MisterBeasley]

After amassing a quantity of wall-warts from old broken appliances and electronic gadgets, I finally came to my senses and bought a couple of 4-amp, 12 volt power supplies.  I ran a pair of bus lines from each supply for its section of the layout, with each bus run through a simple toggle switch on the control panel.  One bus is for structures and the other is for streetlamps, in general.  The structure lights are mostly Miniatronics bulbs, and are relatively cheap, while the streetlamps are from Walthers.  I don't think the bulbs are replaceable, so I don't leave them on.

I use 16-volt bulbs but only run them at 12 volts.  This gives a softer, warmer glow to the lighting and also greatly extends bulb life.

For me, toggle switches on a panel are fine.  I don't need to control my streetlights from my throttle, so it's unnecessary for me to invest in an expensive DCC device when an cheap panel switch will do.

[sjhenry]

Randy,

I looked at the Aux Box and it looks like it fits what I need to do both for the lights and any future signals. Thanks for the info.

Steve

[mlehman]

I've been installing LEDs in structures the last couple of weeks. Just two power supplies for all the layout wiring. I simply plugged these into power strips that I use to control other layout power. I just turn the powerstrips on and off. So far I've seen no need for separate switches for anything. Most of the LEDs aren't really noticeable or objectionable during day ops and since they're LEDs, no worry about their lifetime like with bulbs.

[cacole]

I use an old computer power supply's 5 Volt DC output for all the street and building lights (LEDs) on our HO scale club layout.  With LED lights it doesn't matter if they are on all the time.

Sound effect modules use the 12 Volt DC output of the same computer power supply and are on individual toggle switches, since we don't like to have them on except when visitors are in the building.

All toggle switches around the edges of the layout are recessed within PVC pipe caps so they are not sticking out into the aisle.

[rrinker]

 Use a seperate power supply. DCC power is too 'expensive' - boosters and power supplies cost more than simple power supplies. If you want to control the lights via DCC< you can use a device liek the Aux Box, which is essentially a set of DCC controlled relays that take the palce of toggle switches. The power for the lights still comes from a seperate simple power supply, not the DCC track power.

             --Randy

 

[sjhenry]

I am looking to put in some yard searchlights and some street lights from Miniatronics. Later as a I progress I will put in some basic signaling along the track. I am building a  DCC layout with a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra.

What is the most effective way to power and control these ? For the lights would that be a separate power supply and toggle switches or should I be looking at DCC stationary controllers? Should I be planning for a unified system for both the lighting and the signaling ?. My turnouts are manual (caboose ground throws), so I am not looking to control these (at present).

I have a reasonably good working knowledge of electronics, but am at the beginning of my learning curve in this space, especially around where I should consider DCC control and where I should stick to manual control.

Thanks,

Steve