Hey everyone here is another ?, as I am learning more what will be the best way to run street light an etc. on the layout?
Generally there is no Best, only what works best for you.
We need more info. What type of lights, brand, LED's or incandescent light bulbs? What scale?
Rich
Sorry rich I would like to run LED lights an my scale is gonna be HO
Brook
Here's a site that has good info. I brought the light section up for you.
http://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/lighting-effects.html
Jerry
Thanks buddy
Zoo, if possible for you, it is a good idea to run accessories, such as turnout switch machines and lights, off a power source separate from the one you are using to power your locos.
For a number of years, our club has used a 12vdc regulated power supply. If we need to use an LED, a 1k 1/4 watt resistor works just fine.
The supply also runs the PFM turnout controllers and a few other motor type controllers.
We have a LM317 voltage regulator tied onto the 12 volt buss for a few Tortoise. More realistic point movement at 9vdc than 12vdc. Throw a bi-color red/green LED in series with one lead to the Tortoise and a nice point indication on a panel. No resistor needed. A protective diode is not needed either.
You asked about street lighting, constant intensity which LED's are good for.
Rich
Brock I was thinking the same thing I have looked at the athern power pack as a unit to run my switches etc thanks for the conformation
You are welcome bud.
You probably don't even need to spend that much for a Athearn pack (they are fairly decent for running trains, so are a little more pricey). You might be able to get away with an old AHM, TYCO, LIFE LIKE or BACHMANN power pack if you are just looking to use the AC connections off of it and find one of these 4 (for) less $$.
Good luck in your search!
This is a link to one of my favorite electronics info sources. Its O gauge focused but most circuits can be used for HO as is, or modified for DC easily. http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogCategoryMain?catId=426
I like the one on renovating the light tower with LEDs. The fellow looking to replace the bulb in his TYCO light tower should come take a look at the links you posted GG1, it may help him.
Brooklyn-
You probably have some unused wall warts from old electronics, shavers, toys, cell phones and such around your home. Check their outputs. You might (good chance) find that one or more is of an appropriate power level for LEDs, and another which will work with 12-14 volt bulbs. You can plug all of them into a power strip which will allow you to use both LEDs and larger voltage bulbs without having to worry about resistors. You can feed 110/120 volt power to the power strip through a switch on your control panel so you can control your lights without having to crawl around under your layout. If you do that, however, make sure that your wiring is safe, especially the wiring from the control panel switch to the layout. Also make sure that the panel switch is designed for wall power, not just the low voltage power of the rest of the layout.
-- D
You guys are gonna laugh , but what is a wall wart?
Brook
A wall wart is a power supply.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_adapter
Jerry
Doc, how do you know that Brooklynzoo is even old enough to shave? :D
Lol what's funny guys is that I'm 35 an I have never had to shave ever. So let me see if I can get this right without sounding like a complete fool, I will cut the end off of a cell phone charger then connect it to the power strip from radio shack then the remote switches will have to wired into the strip as well then ill be able to remote switch the track if this is wrong please explain as if I'm 7 lol no offense will be taken.as you all you all can see I'm looking for a dummy way of doing the switches I was hoping for something like the ez commander with the push button that would have made my day
Brook
That is correct. The green wire from the turnouts is to control the points (rail that moves to the location you want train to go). The red wire from the switch control is what you will hook up to the barrier strips from Radio Shack.
The EZ Command will only work if you are using DCC turnouts that are decoder equipped. Now you could replace the Bachmann controllers with momentary push buttons that can be gotten from Radio Shack as well. see the link below.
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=13384949&kw=momentary%20switch&origkw=momentary+switch&sr=1
Jerry
LOL on the shaving!
Zoo, first question: are you running a DC or DCC layout? (I am sorry if you stated this already.)
Second question: with regard to the power from the cell phone charger, do you have a multi meter that you can measure AC voltage with?
I will running DCC... An I can get access to a meter if I have to .
Brook
No layout is complete without a multi meter. You will need it for various reasons, checking track, voltage supply's, loco's and many other uses on the layout.
They should put one in every starter set. ::) ;D
Here's a good example that was given by richg and I use it regularly.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_Workshop/index.htm
By the way that meter shown is more than likely a Harbor Freight one for around $5.00
Jerry
I brought up the subject of the meter so you would be able to test the output voltage on the 2 wires of your cell charger, to make sure it does not exceed the recommended voltage for the switch machine. I know for AC ones run on a DC layout, 20 volts and under should work. But, I do not know anything about the requirements for DCC switch machines, so I will bow out on this subject and leave you in Jerry's capable hands.
jb
It is always good to check the voltage of any power supply before you use it.
As far as the turnouts that are not thrown by a decoder as in Bachmann's Item#44559 for example..
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_366_367&products_id=2482
These are designed just like the switch machines used on your DC layout. I run all mine from the accessory (ac) posts from my power pack from a DC train set I had purchased.
The DCC turnouts as in Item #44136
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_366_367&products_id=2506
These turnouts receive their power from the DCC controllers power off the rails. The points are thrown just as would select a loco from it's roster. Select the address assigned to that loco and then by activating the functions toggle the points by pressing the number assigned.
Jerry
jb-
Intuition. No, actually I don't have any idea as to his age. I don't even know
if he shaves wet or electrically. But a wall wart from an old shaver wouldn't
necessarily have to be from his shaver.
-- D
Thank you Jerry, you have taught me something about DCC.
I hear you Doc :D
If it were me, I think I would use an old power pack like from the group I suggested above, this way, if I wanted to use the DC contacts as well as the AC contacts, I could. I am talking for things like LEDs. Yes, I know, the DC on those old packs is variable, but if you had a multi meter, you could set the dial/throttle to produce the amount of DC voltage you needed, by measuring on the 2 contacts and leaving the dial/throttle in that position to produce the same voltage all the time.
I am planning to do just this with some signal lights I purchased from the Chinese Empire, that are DC LEDs.
Of course, if I already had wall warts to use, I would instead of going out and spending the money on a power pack.
jb
If you did a search under Jim Banner with the key word voltage, you would have as much knowledge as I have. I have printed every single post from Jim when he had responded. The man is a genius when it comes to electricity. His explanations are very thorough and easy to understand. As one poster quoted in one of his replies.. headache time! With so much to consume it will literally give you a headache.
Here's two links from him and notice one has our famous jonathan in it from a couple years back,and even then he was being admired by one of the best in this hobby. Wish he was still here to help out. :( :'(
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,13593.0.html
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,9243.0.html
Jerry
Thank you Jerry!