Such a SIMPLE problem

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Here is a REALLY simple issue - embarrassingly easy really!

 

Each of my scenery boards has a 12v DC supply. This feeds the buildings lighting. Depending on the lighting conditions at different exhibtions I want to adjust the buildings lighting level

 

So I just need a simple panel mounting device that will adjust the brightness

 

Ideas please

[Kenton]

Spare DC controller.

[PhilH]

Dimmer switch

[Nick G]

 

 

Ebay item number 152033804608, I have 2 on my layout.

[Stubby47]

Spare DC controller.

 

Like this one 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/371606169464?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=9046724&poi=&campaignid=207297426&device=c&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=pla-131843273586&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=122

[vitalspark]

As long as you're not trying to dim LEDs..stick to grain of wheat and you'll be ok.

 

Dave.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Spare DC controller.

 

The supply needs to be a constant 12v across all 12 boards .... only the lighting supply that runs off the 12v 'bus' needs adjusting and then it might vary board to board

[TEAMYAKIMA]

 

 

Ebay item number 152033804608, I have 2 on my layout.

 

This looks the kind of thing I'm looking for but really I'd like someting I could panel mount , ie a knob on a panel rather than a box on top

Here's an example of what you'd be looking at; click! At that price, I'd be tempted to get a few spare, just in case, and you'd never know what other purposes they'd might have

This looks great but I'm not registered with this site - something similar on ebay?

 

Thanks for your input folks - MUCH appreciated

[raymw]

The item on ebay, mentioned by NickG - remove the lid, the pot can be panel mounted, with the box below, the leads to the pot come with a plug on the lead. Plenty of uncased versions (like that mentioned by Dutchmaster) on ebay for about the same price., too.

[DCB]

You  say you need 12 volts.  Most "12 volt" controllers including the Basic Triang / Hornby controller above are  around 19 volt s off load (I have 2) and the PWM speed controller is going to be somewhere similar if fed from the 12 volt DC or the 16 volt AC  

 

I suppose you could add a smoothing capacitor across the output of the PWM unit to stop the bulbs flickering

I'm guessing you are using bulbs not LEDs

 

The ideal is a variable transformer like a H and M Safety Minor. or a Morley or OnTrack where you can vary the off load voltage with the control knob.  However this is going to be expensive.

 

Personally I would use a DC power source and a simple diode based controller, a 12 way rotary switch with 1N400 standard 1 amp diodes between each contact so between none and 11 diodes can be in circuit in line.  This would give supply voltage and 11 X 0.6 volt steps down from the supply voltage.   I made one for an emergency train controller when on holiday some years ago and it works surprisingly well much better than H and M Duettes and the like, but it needed two diodes inn series between some contacts to give a slow enough slow speed.

[Crosland]

Just make sure you connect the +ve input to the green wire and take the output from the red wire, with the way the diodes are drawn.

 

Also, remember that a 1N400x series diode will actually drop nearer 1V at its full rated current of 1 A.

[Sam Moss]

I used these to independantly control the lighting brightness in different areas on the club layout during its ongoing rewire.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boost-Buck-DC-adjustable-step-up-down-Converter-XL6009-Module-Voltage-NEW-2016-/231885832221?hash=item35fd79001d:g:zPAAAOSwnLdWq24N

 

I manage to get 5 for £1.50 so shop around.