Help With Lighting

3 Replies, 5967 Views

Hey guys, T-R-Y here and I need some help. (I'm sorry if I placed this thread in the wrong place guys) I was recently watching Ucwepns video on his modded Arry and Bert on the little Iron Works layout, and the layout inspired me to continue a plan I've had for a Trackmaster Scrap Yard layout, and since I have Trackmaster Arry, Bert, and Dodge on the way, I thought this would be fun! The layout is pretty small and is about 2 tracks long and one track width for the outside line, and a one straight and half straight inside line with a siding. I have plans for a large scrap yard house like seen in Thomas. It would reach around a third of the layout and have entry and outry ways on the same side, and run the two turns inside of it. Inside it would be 2 red LEDs and a fog machine to make an eierie feel like how it's seen in the tv series. Also it would have a small factory in the layouts middle also lit with a red LED. I honestly don't know anything on how to power LEDs and I need help figuring out how I can power them. Do you guys know how I can do this? I don't know how to power LEDs OUTSIDE of an engine. Do you guys know? Please help me if you can! Thanks guys! Smile -T-R-Y
From Thomas To Today's Modern Diesels, They're All A Part Of My Rail-Yard!
Thanks for taking interest in my latest little project Big Grin

Some basics:

You need to solder! so get some tools so you can learn as you go along Big Grin

Ok the first thing you need to know is that a white led needs 3v to light up, red ones are I think 2.4v
so the first thing you need to work out is how to power them. Its possible to use a 2xAA or 2xAAA battery box or a 3v lithium button cell with a switch and a resistor wired in if required for outside (scenery etc).

In a loco space can be very limited for batteries, as I found out with arry n bert and a long way back with light up Paxton. Some talented members here discovered a little device on ebay called a step up voltage converter that can turn 1.5v from a single battery into 3v to power an LED and even both the loco and an LED at the same time! This is my preferred choice when I want to do light ups now as its extremely effective and throws out allot of light compared to the old method I was using which was a grain of rice bulb.

There are some great wiring diagrams and the end results in the electrical engineering thread Here

[Image: 20140707_125103.jpg]

[Image: 20140707_194346.jpg]
[-] The following 2 users Like Ucwepn's post:
  • Super, Trackmaster-Rail-Yard
There are some drawings and works from Tramp in the Old Photo section. Scroll through the pictures to find them.

Lighting from Tramp


@Ucwepn...much better my friend, thanks
[-] The following 1 user Likes Super's post:
  • Trackmaster-Rail-Yard
Does anyone know where I can get a small fog machine for a reasonable price?
From Thomas To Today's Modern Diesels, They're All A Part Of My Rail-Yard!



Users browsing this thread: 2 Guest(s)