Model Railroad Lighting

[chuck geiger]

Lighting ideas needed. Track Lighting above the long 11' section with 3/4' end returns is real expensive. I didn't
want to do another level for valance and lighting. What am I missing? BTW - I'm going to be real needy over the
next few weeks, asking questions, I haven't had a larger layout experience since 2011.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The answer you need:
https://smile.amazon.com/Barrina-Integrated-Fixture-Daylight-Electric/dp/B01MUKSZE3/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=barrina+t5&qid=1623263340&sr=8-10

[Pomperaugrr]

I second Ed's advice.  I swapped out 4' flourescent tube fixtures for Barrina LED lights.  Inexpensive, easy to install and excellent lighting.

[chuck geiger]

Thanks, these look great.

[John]

These are awesome lights .. Railwire approved

[ednadolski]

I just ordered up a set of the 5000k version (my preference) to try out.

Ed

[BuddyBorders]

I had a similar issue in my train room (AKA- Basement) and needed valence mounted lighting. After looking at various commercial offerings, I ended up creating my own lighting system that would do what I wanted. I used LED strip lighting from SuperBrightLEDS.com and found some LED light reflectors from http://www.uaac.us/ I also ordered wireless dimmers for the LEDs

I fastened the reflectors to strips of plywood with flathead screws and suspended them from the floor joists with threaded rod. I then lined the inside of the valence with the angles used for suspended ceilings and cut diffuser panels to fit. I'm quite satisfied with the results

[chuck geiger]

Buddy that looks "tits" right there.

[BuddyBorders]

Thanks Chuck!

[ednadolski]

The answer you need:
https://smile.amazon.com/Barrina-Integrated-Fixture-Daylight-Electric/dp/B01MUKSZE3/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=barrina+t5&qid=1623263340&sr=8-10

Any word on what the UV emissions are from these?   IIRC the old (by today's standards) fluorescent tubes had UV output that could fade colors over time, to the point where some folks would wrap them in UV-filtering materials to prevent such damage.

But LEDs being a totally different animal, I suspect should not have any such concern....?



EDIT: found this:  https://oeo.com/led-lights-emit-uv-radiation/

"For the majority of LED light bulbs, in industrial applications and otherwise, they do not give off UV radiation. ...  brilliant blues do emit a small amount. However ... the amount emitted is essentially negligible. There is no need for a filter ..."


Ed (N.)

[cec209]

I had a similar issue in my train room (AKA- Basement) and needed valence mounted lighting. After looking at various commercial offerings, I ended up creating my own lighting system that would do what I wanted. I used LED strip lighting from SuperBrightLEDS.com and found some LED light reflectors from http://www.uaac.us/ I also ordered wireless dimmers for the LEDs

I fastened the reflectors to strips of plywood with flathead screws and suspended them from the floor joists with threaded rod. I then lined the inside of the valence with the angles used for suspended ceilings and cut diffuser panels to fit. I'm quite satisfied with the results

Buddy,

Looks very professional.

Charlie

[C855B]

... LED light reflectors from http://www.uaac.us/ ...

That's a great find, and thank you for posting.

I designed UV into my layout lighting plan for special effects using florescent theater paints, and needed to find a reasonable LED strip reflector solution for a couple of years. The regular LED mounting channels with the plastic lenses suppress UV, so that's a no-go; I could run them "bare", but the light spread too much and didn't get the desired effect. I engineered a parabolic reflector solution which worked great, but it was complicated and was getting expensive quickly.

Again, thanks. I have ordered a couple for testing and am hoping for the best.

[NtheBasement]

I like 5000K myself, seems more like natural sunlight.  But just a warning, things look a bit weird if different parts of the layout have different K lighting.  I bought a 4000K to fill in a darker area and it made it look brown compared to the rest of the layout, so best to match your existing lights.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like 5000K myself, seems more like natural sunlight.  But just a warning, things look a bit weird if different parts of the layout have different K lighting.  I bought a 4000K to fill in a darker area and it made it look brown compared to the rest of the layout, so best to match your existing lights.

Yes! This is very important. If you mix and match color temps you'll end up with weird colored shadows too.