Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
I've also been playing around with LEDs for building lighting - with the goal of developing a small system for retail. I don't want this to sound like an ad - but mrr layout lighting is one of the things I sell at shows. Here's my take so far. I prefer using LEDs because they rarely, if ever, burn out. That means far fewer replacement problems than with incandescent bulbs. I also install lights in cop cars and fire engines and those are permanent installs, so longevity is important. The smaller Surface Mount LEDS (SMDs) are a far better choice to use for house lighting than the traditional T1 because they have much wider light dispersal due to their "top hat" shape - virtually 360 degrees. The trade off is soldering the wire. SMD's don't have metal leads, but small pads on the back. It's a bit daunting the first time, but once you master the technique, it's easy. The typical white LED (T1) can be used, but only in a commercial/business setting to simulate flourescent lighting. Few homes have that kind of lighting. But even for flourescent lighting, I prefer using a frosted white SMD I've found that really looks like flourescent. Since they don't have that point intensity that T1s have, you don't need elaborate blocking. I put a couple in a service station and they look very nice. For house lights, I've found that yellow SMD's at a reduced level using resistors come very close to the real thing. By varying the resistor , you can get different intensities from room to room. I've played with orange SMDs but they tend to look too red when compared with the yellows. Because the SMDs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, you can also use different ones and end up with different color combinations. I'm playing around with this now. Again, the reason the SMD's work so well is their light dispersal. Mounted in a ceiling, they disperse light thoughout the room. The system I'm working on will provide a blend of "always on" lights with some that turn on and off. I'll use a programmable chip to control it. I'll have one specifically for gas stations which will include a "welder" simulator for the garage bay, a couple of white SMDs for the flourescents in the office and bay areas, and maybe a random yellow that goes off and on for the bathrooms. The house system will have 3 or 4 yellows, at least one or two that go off and on. If anyone wants the specific specs on the SMDs I like, I can provide them. The yellows can be purchased in small quantities online, but the frosted whites require a purchase of 15 for around $20. Reasonable, but probably more than most folks need. Mike Tennent
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community