FinnerZ Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Tomorrow I plan to wire up the interior lights in my 1990s networker, but I wondered if I should add a resistor to the circuit for the interior lights. When run by just a 9V battery without a resistor, there is enough light to show through the roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_Spiegel. Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 DC or DCC - permanently on or via a Function Output???The recommendaton for Bulb voltages is now 16V, so as to be compatible with dcc and its constant voltage: In analogue use, the bulb rarely reached its 12V! - but would probably be too bright on dcc directly. Adding diodes to drop the voltage may be easier than choosing a resistor. (0.7V per diode)With white-plastic bodied vehicles, you may find a need to paint or line the interior with black tape or card ! Otherwise almost any lighting will show through, I find!I would also recommend you consider changing any bulb-lighting to LED lighting (warm white or (cold/blue) light for fluorescents, yellow or warm white for 'bulbs' in old stock?) - as this will give you more even lighting at a lower power consumption (and no risk of melting plastic if continuously powered on dcc). Equally for Directional lights to white and Red LEDs.LEDs are available as kits for specific stock, or self-adhesive strips of lED designed for 12V (operate from about 7V)... but I would recommend wiring them via an additional !N4148 diode(s) as protection against reversed polarity. For dcc (only) use I often use 2 sets in series (ie half voltage on each).rgdsPhil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poliss Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I always wonder why it is recommended to paint the interiors of buildings etc. black. Surely black is no more opaque than any other colour, and it is the opacity that counts when you don't want light leaking out. Would not silver foil be better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_Spiegel. Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Pigment density - light absorbtion is what is required and achieved by heavily-pigmented black paint or insulating tape, for example. [Or the edges of 200 razor blades if you reacll your Physics Text Books] I did also mention cardboard ... aluminium foil is also an effective light barrier - but conductive! - therefore it may affect how the wiring needs to be arranged. As a reflectant surface it will also scatter the light elsewhere - which, on the one hand, makes more effective use of the light provided, but on the other hand, 'provides' more light to break through elsewhere, from previously unexpected directions!In the roof - assuming that is also where the light strip is - by all means use aluminium foil; and even where possible on the side panels ... but you'll probably have to paint the gaps between windows etc black - and perhaps paint the foild black too.rgdsPhil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnerZ Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 I'm using warm white LED strip lights and I decided to use a resistor and I'm glad I did. It is bright enough and has the effect inteded. Sadly the adhesive backing of the strip failed so I had to hold it with tape, so if it ever falls off I will consider painting it black. Thank you for yoru responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poliss Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I tried Physics Text Books, but they wouldn't fit in my buildings. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 It was a Physics Text Slate when I was at school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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