When I decided to "unwind" my helix, I ended up with a section of mainline where the upper and lower decks have minimum separation. To maximize the lower deck window, I made the upper fascia very thin, and I set the lower deck forward of the upper deck (see first photo). I'm generally very happy with the outcome as I got two extra sidings out of it, Ono and Verdemont, out in the open. Lighting the lower deck turned out to be a challenge because of lack do space to work with, and I decided to use a 16' LED strip from MM. It's easy to install with the self stick tape backing, has a tiny profile, the color at 4200K is perfect, and it generates plenty of light. However, one thing I didn't count on is the reflection of the individual LED's off the rail tops...it really ruins the effect...see photo two. Any ideas how I might fix this, a diffuser or gel of some sort? I will crank up the ambient light output for the room, but that will only help a little. Suggestions welcome... Regards, Otto K.
Otto... would something as simple as clear acetate or plexiglass diffuse?...have you held a clear piece of styrene under the light? if so, perhaps a simple smash mold shape could be affixed over(under) the strip to diffuse, without taking anything away from the brightness and color saturation. on another note...that last pic...is that a brass model?...I've got heavyweight a/c envy! ~Bruce
Yes, a diffusion panel would help a lot. It would need a little clearance from LED's to work best. Get some tracing pads at art supply store, cut into strips and staple in place, letting them hang down a bit from light source. Joe D
I purchased a couple of LED work lamps that were on sale for 10 bucks each. They are the equivalent of 40 watt incandescent bulbs and last 50,000 hours. The light is a little to bright and blue for my taste, and I read somewhere that transparent orange paint will give the light a more natural color. I will purchase tinted automotive lens film to see if it works.
Try Tamiya clear tints from hobby shop. Use that for tinting LED's on loco's that are too blue. Dilute it, like 2 drops Tamiya to 8 drops water.. You don't like result, wipe it off with rubbing alcohol on a swab.
Thanks guys, I'll experiment with some sort of a frosted diffuser. I don't really want to change the light color, it's very good, it's the pinpointed reflections that are annoying. I rigged up a frosted plastic valance about an inch deep which helps, but at the cost of reducing the visual separation between decks... Life is full of compromises I guess. Bruce, yes, it's a PRB chair car with MT trucks, 36" Fox Valley wheels, AL diaphragms, and 905 Z scale couplers. I wish I had acquired more of them while they were (somewhat) reasonably priced. Otto K.
Holy Crap Otto! That's a real problem. However since the LED's don't get hot, seems that nearly any translucent material, such as plastic "vellum", which used to be available at your art/graphics supply store, spaced 1/2" off the LED's might work. Maybe your local plastic supplier might have some fine fresnel sheets...which would give you a lot of closer spaced-together light points, or maybe a combination of fresnel sheet and translucent plastic might work. Obviously, translucent plastic will lower the effective brightness of your LED's, so would stringing another row or two be a problem? If you have to do that, I'd space the new strip as closely as possible to the original strip, but space the LED's in the new strip to be halfway between the original LED's. I hope you can find a solution to this strange problem. Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
one on Ebay right now...only a few hours left http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pecos-River...333709?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item4acd067a4d
In the vein of JoeD's suggestion, I am using 20 lb. bond paper for a diffuser. Anything heavier blocks too much light. Anything lighter allows the point effect to persist. My lighting valence is 14 inches above the layout and I am still able to get an adequate light level. Because the LED strips generate very little heat at any single point, I have the paper taped up directly in contact with them. Dave
Hi Otto I think Bruce (Arbamabo) is on the right path I might add to that by deflecting (angling the reflection away) clear plex. Be sure to let us know and good luck.
In Vancouver we have an LED store where you can purchase tubes for $5 to slide your LED's into so the light will be diffused. Look around in your area for an LED retailer.
Thanks Joe, and everyone, I bought several different translucent plastic strips and experimented a bit tonite, and I think I now understand the nature of the problem a bit better. I even tried a solid valance to shield the LED light strip. The essence of the problem is the fact that the back half of the lower deck (under the upper deck) is lit much more intensely than the front half, which is lit by overhead halogen lights. Even if I manage to diffuse the LED's, the front half of the lower deck, where the mains and sidings are located, ends up being back lit. It should be just the opposite: main lines lit up, and back scenery receding. Back to he drawing board I guess ... Perhaps feeding the LED strip a lesser voltage would be a good start? Tbc., Otto
A powerful way to diffuse is indirect lighting. Put the lights facing up along on the back of your lower level with an opaque screen (just a strip of cardboard an inch high) to keep them from shining directly in your eyes. If the effect is what you want, paint the underside of the upper deck white and it will be a lot brighter.
