Scenic lights

[Kirley]

I have included quite a number of scenic lights on my layout run from a 12v supply.

 

 

As I intend to add more lights to Clonmel Station buildings I was wondering that is the maximum number lights you can run from one 12v DC controller? Is there other power supplies you can use for this purpose?

 

Any information (as long as it is not too technical) would be most welcome.

[irishthump]

Kirley,

 

It depends on a couple of things...

 

1) How many amps does the DC controller supply?

 

2) Are the lamps bulbs or leds?

 

Typically, leds will draw around 20ma each depending on their brightness while bulbs will draw closer to 100ma each. If your DC supply is say 1amp (1000ma) then you can power up to 50 leds from a 1amp supply, but only 10 bulbs.

 

Are you powering the lights from an old DC trainset controller?

[BosKonay]

Something like this

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/AC-100-240V-to-DC-12V-Switching-Power-Supply-Regulated-Transformer-for-LED-Light-/231017022958?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item35c9b005ee

 

Is what I'm using for overhead lights, and for the scenic lighting. It puts out 10A at 12V and is fully regulated (and has a voltage adjustment, so you can drop the output down a few volts (handy for LEDs and avoids messing with resistors to reduce brightness)

 

You can then run a DC 'bus' and take feeds off for each area with lighting (photo looks gorgeous btw! )

[irishthump]

Something like this

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/AC-100-240V-to-DC-12V-Switching-Power-Supply-Regulated-Transformer-for-LED-Light-/231017022958?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item35c9b005ee

 

Is what I'm using for overhead lights, and for the scenic lighting. It puts out 10A at 12V and is fully regulated (and has a voltage adjustment, so you can drop the output down a few volts (handy for LEDs and avoids messing with resistors to reduce brightness)

 

You can then run a DC 'bus' and take feeds off for each area with lighting (photo looks gorgeous btw! )

 

10A?!!! You could light a house with that!

[BosKonay]

Lol, I'm from the Clarkson school of Powah I'm afraid :)

 

But it does mean a single supply should be good for the layout Up to 100 LEDS can probably be powered from the one bus

[Broithe]

If you're running filament bulbs, then there's something to be said for dropping the voltage slightly - they'll last a lot longer and, I think, the slightly yellowy light looks better, too.

[BosKonay]

Even with LEDs I like to underpower them a little.

[Broithe]

I've run 12V grain-of-wheat bulbs in series pairs off 16V AC, so 8V across each one - plenty of light still, and a nice colour - a slight problem if a bulb does blow, as it will disconnect the remaining good bulb - but, then, I've never actually had one blow yet.

[Kirley]

Thanks Guys for those helpful replies.

 

I am running a mixture of LED's and other bulbs and using an old DC trainset controller? Stephen, that Power Supply Regulated Transformer looks the business if I could run a number of bus wires of it as I wish to be able to control the lights in particular areas rather than having all the lights on the layout on or off.

 

[BosKonay]

The unit has two primary feeds, so you can run two busses from it easily, then what I do is drop in switched sections off 'droppers' . Same kind of model as the dcc bus, just all 12V DC. Love the lighting control panel!

[Kirley]

Something like this

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/AC-100-240V-to-DC-12V-Switching-Power-Supply-Regulated-Transformer-for-LED-Light-/231017022958?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item35c9b005ee

 

Is what I'm using for overhead lights, and for the scenic lighting. It puts out 10A at 12V and is fully regulated (and has a voltage adjustment, so you can drop the output down a few volts (handy for LEDs and avoids messing with resistors to reduce brightness)

 

This looks like the answer to my needs. I take it you still need required resistors for the LED's?

[BosKonay]

Unless they are 12V LEDs then yes as normal. You can also step down a full section if you've a lot than need less voltage.

[BosKonay]

http://www.raltron.com/cust/tools/voltage_divider.asp

 

Is A very handy tool