All:

I'm building a rather large structure and I'm thinking about putting a light in it. I'm not sure I need the light because the interior will be unfinished and I don't want it well lit. Trains will drive through the structure, but I really don't want people looking into it.

Any suggestions for a really dim light? Or a way of making a light look dimmer?

Thanks,

George

Unless you turn off the room lights, as part of a "night scene show", I'd forget about lights in this building. Joe

How about using frosted windows. Then no one can see in.

I was about to suggest frosting the windows, myself. I do it with good old Scotch tape (the frosted type). You might also want to try Frosted Fluorette Bulbs (GRS electronics, #400; you can get them from Walthers). With a small potentiometer wired in series, you can adjust the voltage and dim the lights pretty well. However, the fact that they are frosted, to begin with, makes for a dimmer (yellower) light.

Jim

On my Christmas layout, we have the ceramic houses. I got tired of the bright lights in them (clear small 110 volts). We placed amber C7 Christmas light bulbs in them, and wired an ordinary home light dimmer in the supply line.
Works real good, you can even vary the lighting so the lights look good even when the room lights are on (dimmer up a little high) or off (dimmer a little lower).

Ed

Instead of lighting the interior, why not add a few light fixtures to the outside of the building? I use hanging grain of wheat bulbs with a small washer for a reflector.

Will post a picture when I get home. The slooooow internet service at this motel and my wife's screwy laptop are driving me nuts!!!

Jim

Some interesting suggestions, thank you.

The building, being part of a steel mill, actually doesn't have any windows. It does, however, have open roof ventilators. As in the prototype, you can see into them. The goal is keep hidden the interior of the building, which will not resemble a steel mill.

Joe Hohmann might be on the right track - skip the lights.

I haven't made up my mind yet on this one.

Thanks,

George