I'm playing dutch uncle here but has anyone considered that those superbright LEDs will make any room they're in look like the set from a Poltergeist movie. Rooms in all older commercial buildings were dimly lit at best.Unless you're doing a skyscraper like Johnboy use dimmer LEDs. It's like an older Lionel caboose, where the prototype was lit by a coal oil lamp looking like there is a Kleiglight inside.

quote:

Originally posted by beertrain:
I'm playing dutch uncle here but has anyone considered that those superbright LEDs will make any room they're in look like the set from a Poltergeist movie. Rooms in all older commercial buildings were dimly lit at best.Unless you're doing a skyscraper like Johnboy use dimmer LEDs. It's like an older Lionel caboose, where the prototype was lit by a coal oil lamp looking like there is a Kleiglight inside.

LEDs can be dimmed as I described previously. Easiest way is to use a larger resistor than called for.

Dale H

Thanks Dale, I would add one other comment from experience. When I was young, my mother and I traveled from Pittsburgh to Nashville and back frequently and to Princeton New Jersey on the Pennsy and the coaches of that day were dimmed at night so those who wanted to sleep could do so. So the ultra bright lighting in our passenger cars is definately not prototypical. Can ya tell i've got an axe to grind on this subject? I'm just trying to make the passenger sets look more realistic, when photographed at night.

Does Amtrak still go to Nashville? Been to Chattanooga, there was a big station turned into a hotel but no train service. Been on the Pennsy from NY to Philadelphia so I remember also. There is a long tunnel before coming into NYC. Princeton I think is a spur line that still runs. I used to live near there.

The best realistic effect I found is to mount on the roof and let them shine down. Experimenting with resistor size you can get the effect you like. You can also use golden LEDs,they give a very subdued effect.. If you like the toy train appearance the super bright high power are OK also. Since I run conventional I add super capacitors on the regulated side. When the power is removed the lights dim a bit and then gradually fade,lasting a few minutes.

Dale H

Dale, i'm sure Amtrak still goes there but since i've been gone form Pittsburgh since 1962 I don't know any specifics. As for Princeton, we used to get off the train @ Penn's Neck.

I have another question about wiring to buildings on a small layout.
My Christmas Polar Express layout is on a 4'x8' table, and I will have only 8 buildings. I bought those ceramic, christmas theme houses; only 8 of 'em.

I am thinking of installing individual switches to control lights in each building. It should be quite simple. I can direct the wiring through switches mounted on a small control panel.

Is this something that people commonly do?

You can do that but it is a lot of extra wiring. Really depends on how much effort you wish to spend.

Dale H

I didn't see this answered, when I read back through this thread...

Because I was unable to get LEDs, rectifiers etc, I am going to light my small christmas display 4'x8' layout of 8 buildings, using small screw-in bulbs.

Do I need a fuse installed in this circuit?

Depends on your power source. If using a post war transformer I would add a fuse. The size of the fuse depends on the transformer output and the size of the bus wire used. Modern transformers have good breakers so a fuse would not be needed unless your bus was grossly undersized. Use a 16 gauge bus,cutting an extension cord and using the wire is fine. Then if you have a modern transformer you do not need a fuse.

Dale H

Lionel CW-80, which has 18V output, I believe is considered a servicable modern transformer, marginal to good for trains, but very adequate for lighting.

Hook them right to it with at least 18 gauge wire,no fuse needed.

Dale H

In response to the comment that the LED's are too bright for use in buildings, I remember a thread on this forum some time ago that recommended using old, amber colored, plastic prescription pill containers to place over the bulbs. I've tried it and I like the dimmer, amber light that results. I've used it with bulbs but I see no reason it couldn't be used with bright LED's as well. They give a nice warm glow to your layout buildings.

FJ