Chrisjh Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 I have just installed some new LED Lighting (similar to Christmas tree lights) in a circuit on my OO Gauge layout to look like bollards with lighting (and surprisingly for my complete lack of modelling skills they look quite good), whilst they look good they are very bright and really too bright. Just wondering as the bulbs are 3V, rated 31Vdc 2.4 Watts (???) is there any way of turning the brightness down? Unfortunately the lights are white but these were lights we had left over from Christmas so I decided to make use of them. I have attached a picture which might illustrate the problem. Alterantively can the bulbs be painted to reduce the dim, the bulbs never get warm presumably because they are LED. If they can what Colour would everyone suggest?. I would be very grateful for any suggestions, many thanks. Stay safe. Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 What supply voltage do you have? Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisjh Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 Many thanks Dave, not having any electrical knowledge thought it might be better to attach a picture of the plug. Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 You say the 'bulbs (LEDs) are rated at 3v, 31vdc. ?? The supply voltage from the plug? is 31vdc. Are the LEDs in groups of 10 or similar? Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisjh Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Thanks Dave a group of 50. I think so, although I am not sure in the supply. (I have copied this off the plug label above. Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 So am I correct in thinking you have 50 LEDs alight on the layout? Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisjh Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Many thanks Dave, yes 50 in total. They light up various buildings a viaduct and the balance are used as "bollards" around the village. All the best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted May 7, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 7, 2020 I’ve recently done something not dissimilar on my layout, string of 50 ‘xmas/wedding/party lights’. Only six are actually used, and the rest obscured or hidden. Mine were battery powered by 3xAA in series, and ‘warm’; I was trying to recreate the yellowed glow of low wattage filament bulbs inside buildings. They were too bright, and I’ve reduced the voltage from 4.5v to 3v by removing a battery from the holder and attaching a wire (for now a temporary crocodile clip type) between the missing battery’s terminals in the battery holder. This has cured a minor problem with ‘bleed’ and got the levels down to the effect I wanted to achieve. The system has been in use for several hours a day for about 5 days now and the Duracells are holding up well. My ultimate intention is to power them from an old 12v controller or power controller, and then I can have them at an even lower level and not have to worry about batteries. I find led lights for model railways to be far too bright, and have powered my Dapol signal lamps from a variable voltage output mains power adaptor/charger picked up from the electronics stall in my local market. Output is 6v, the lowest at which the signals will operate, and the lamps are still too bright; at the recommended voltages they’d burn my drivers’ eyes out! Intention is to lower light output further by applying a watered down was to the leds, but I am worried about overheating them and haven’t had the nerve to try yet! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasatcopthorne Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 It sound to me that you don't want to get into wiring electronics etc., so my suggestion is matbe to find another power source with a 12 or 15v dc output. Something from another piece of equipment you no longer use. Possibly something like a Wifi Hub power pack. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Alister_G Posted May 7, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 7, 2020 5 hours ago, The Johnster said: Intention is to lower light output further by applying a watered down was to the leds, but I am worried about overheating them and haven’t had the nerve to try yet! Just FYI, I have regularly painted LEDs with Humbrol Acrylics to alter light output without any adverse effects. For example, for a signal lamp I used a 3mm yellow LED. Here without any paint: And then here plastered in Matt Black, apart from a small bit of the lens: Hope that helps, Al. 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted May 8, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 8, 2020 It re-assures; thanks Alastair! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisjh Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 Many thanks Alistair, Dave much appreciated. Interesting thoughts on the Accrylic paint. Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisjh Posted June 7, 2020 Author Share Posted June 7, 2020 Many thanks again, as my LED lights are bright white as I couldn't get any warm white LED Lights and they are too bright, can anybody kindly suggest which is the best accrylic colour to dampen down the brightness? Many thanks all the best, Stay safe. Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simonmcp Posted June 7, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2020 You could try the trick of painting all but a very small area black and then use a Windsor and Newton yellow ink over the remaining clear spot. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisjh Posted June 7, 2020 Author Share Posted June 7, 2020 Thanks Simon, I think the black might be too dark? Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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