I need help with lights in my layout room

[jfugate]

electro:

How far is the layout from the ceiling? I'm a big fan of low wattage incandescents for layout lighting (15W and 25W), but they only work well if you can get the lights within 18" or so of the layout.


I assume you have looked on my web site at the lighting area? See: http://siskiyou.railfan.net/model/constructionNotes/lighting.html

[ndbprr]

Well the fact you have an outlet in the middle of the ceiling is an imprtant step. Next you should trace it back to the breaker box and determine what amperage it will handle. That will be your limit for lights. With a 9' x9' room I think most of us would get a couple of Flourescent lights and mount them on the ceiling using the light bulb recpetacle to plug them in. they make a screw in device that changes a bulb socket to a plug outlet. Then you could use a cube tap to plug in the lights. You could also substitute track flood lighting around the room using the bulb socket for power. If you really want to replicate sunlight you will need to talk with a lighting store and will probably wind up with Halogen lights. Don't overlook the heat factor as incadescent bulbs can create a lot of heat. Someone will probably say that what I have recomended regarding plugging in the lights to the bulb socket is a potential fire hazzard but that is why you keep the total amperage under the breaker amperage and a worst case scenario to me is one of the plugs falls out due to gravity and you need to plug it back in. Laying the cords on the floor is a different story.

[electrolove]

After reading Joe Fugate's excellent clinic about scenery I understand that the right type of ligths in the layout room is VERY important.

My room is 4 x 4 m. And the only light I have now is a ugly 40 W in the middle of the room, and I can't see anything at all. It's really terrible. [banghead]

What is the best thing I can do to get really good lights for my layout? I want to have lights that remind me of Bond in Colorado a sunny day like this picture.



This is a completely new area for me so I need all help I can get.