Christmas Lights for Lower Levels??

[Anonymous]

I'm modeling in N scale and have two levels of benchwork. I'm thinking about lighting the lower level using strings of Christmas lights. Anyone out there with some advise??

[Anonymous]

Yes! I also am buiding a 2 level n-scale layout and in my lower level I used low-voltage deck lighting up underneath the bottom of the top level. It gives off a nice ambient light and is inexpensive. The timer is bulky but is easily hidden underneath the layout and can be set for constant on.

[nfmisso]

With any lighting, make sure that the bulbs are adequately cooled, and that there is nothing close that will catch fire. Aluminum foil with an air gap on each side is a good cheap heat barrier.

[johncolley]

Have done it with strands of alternating white and yellow and a strand of blue, both on dimmers. so you can go from full daylight to night running. Now a new twist! because of the heat from the incandescents I have gone to the rope strands of LED's....look ma, no heat buildup! and more uniform light because they are closer together!

[CBQ_Guy]

My advise is don't do it. Not bright enough.

[orsonroy]

Normal small Xmas lights aren't bright enough, but the larger C7 and C9 sized lights are. I'm using them on my three level layout, and so far, so good.

The problem witht he small Xmas lights is the amount of light versus the amount of heat they generate. For the poor amount of light they'll emit, they sure do crank out the BTUs. Using C7 or C9 sized bulbs helps improve light output, while lessening heat. Pick up the light strings the day after Xmas (I tried last year three days after, and they were gone. I tried over 10 stores!)

I've done two things to help improve lighting: 1) paint the underside of the levels gloss white, and 2) added reflectors between the bulbs and the benchwork. The best reflectors are compact mirrors, which effectively double the output of the bulb, and which also act as a heatsink. I picked up a few small mirrors from a scientific supply house for a quarter apiece.

[ClinchValleySD40]

I agree with Paul, if you do it you're going to be disappointed. Poor light.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

I agree with Paul, if you do it you're going to be disappointed. Poor light.

Let me amend what I said...I suppose there would be enough light if you used enough of them, but the cost, power consumption and heat build up could get pretty excessive, IMO.

Layouts using the bulb strings that I've personally seen - and I was refering to the larger type bulbs in my original message, BTW - just weren't bright enough. Of course most of the layouts I've seen never seem quite bright enough. I'm currently considering making part of my layout double deck, and don't know what I'll end up using for the lighting of the bottom deck, but it will probably be some type of fluorescent fixtures. Just don't know if the heat from the lights sitting under the top deck, which will probably be using foam board for lightness, will be a problem and if so, how to protect the foam from the heat...any ideas or experiences dealing with that?

Thanks...

[ClinchValleySD40]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

Originally posted by clinchvalley

I agree with Paul, if you do it you're going to be disappointed. Poor light.

Let me amend what I said...I suppose there would be enough light if you used enough of them, but the cost, power consumption and heat build up could get pretty excessive, IMO.

Layouts using the bulb strings that I've personally seen - and I was refering to the larger type bulbs in my original message, BTW - just weren't bright enough. Of course most of the layouts I've seen never seem quite bright enough. I'm currently considering making part of my layout double deck, and don't know what I'll end up using for the lighting of the bottom deck, but it will probably be some type of fluorescent fixtures. Just don't know if the heat from the lights sitting under the top deck, which will probably be using foam board for lightness, will be a problem and if so, how to protect the foam from the heat...any ideas or experiences dealing with that?

Thanks...

Well said. You will be amazed at how much heat those little guys put out. I ended up using C7's (the smaller of the two sizes - other is C9) for some staging yards. Lights are spaced about 8" apart and give just enough light to see the trains (not enough to read reporting marks). And the heat they give off is a lot.

Larry

Larry

http://www.youtube.com/user/ClinchValleySD40

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52481330@N05/

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/page/1/ppuser/8745/sl/c

 

 

 

 

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