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  #1  
Old June 29th 05, 09:36 AM
Glen Sayers
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Default down lights

Because a) I'm making a "modern" style house and I want things clear for
little hands, I'd like to use 12V 3mm 50mah wheat grain lights mounted into
the ceiling for most of my rooms. Is this ok or a fire hazard or just not
done for some reason?

I'm going to drill and mount one bulb and run it for several hours tonight
as a test but maybe someone's got a better idea? Super bright led's? I know
they put out a lot of light?

Obviously I'm trying to make as many fittings as I can.

My power supply is 0-12V 5amp variable with current limiting. ie 60 watts so
power supply shouldn't be a problem. I'd just hate to turn on the lights and
have the house burn down followed by the house burning down. Cheers
Glen


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  #2  
Old June 29th 05, 11:00 AM
Glen Sayers
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I've been running two test bulbs for three hours now at 14V and if it's of
any interest the timber had heated so little, in both cases, that I actually
had to press it against my lips to gauge the temp rise. The timber could be
described as luke warm at best so I "guess" there is little chance of a
fire. Don't quote me on that though.
The medium was 5mm mdf with the wires drilled in through the side and then
down.

you can see a picture of what I'm talking about at the bottom of
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~ga...doll/index.htm

I just want some safe, out of the way lights that can be easily changed so
if I drill a hole through from the back I can just push them in.

Cheers
Glen


  #3  
Old June 29th 05, 01:14 PM
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"Glen Sayers" wrote in message
news:1120034103.933789@ftpsrv1...
Because a) I'm making a "modern" style house and I want things clear for
little hands, I'd like to use 12V 3mm 50mah wheat grain lights mounted
into
the ceiling for most of my rooms. Is this ok or a fire hazard or just not
done for some reason?


I don't know a lot about the electrical aspects but I have done a lot of
lighting. I don't think it's a fire hazard however, I never leave my
dollhouse lights on when I'm not at home as I had a short in a chandelier
and the thing started to smoke. I have used bare bulbs in cabinets to light
them and they never got hot.

I don't know if you will get enough light out of the bulbs unless you use a
lot of them. If you use a lot, you may need a big transformer or more than
one. You can check the Cir-kit website for number of bulbs per transformer.
Also be aware that too few bulbs on a transformer could burn out the bulbs
quickly.

One problem I see is changing the bulb if it burns out. You might think
about using a wire and socket with changeable bulbs. Don't use the
spotlight bulbs as they get very hot.

Sounds like a neat idea.

Carol
S P Miniatures
www.spminiatures.com





  #4  
Old June 29th 05, 03:06 PM
Herb
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Default

Glen Sayers wrote:
I've been running two test bulbs for three hours now at 14V and if it's of
any interest the timber had heated so little, in both cases, that I actually
had to press it against my lips to gauge the temp rise. The timber could be
described as luke warm at best so I "guess" there is little chance of a
fire. Don't quote me on that though.
The medium was 5mm mdf with the wires drilled in through the side and then
down.

you can see a picture of what I'm talking about at the bottom of
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~ga...doll/index.htm

I just want some safe, out of the way lights that can be easily changed so
if I drill a hole through from the back I can just push them in.

Cheers
Glen



Looks like a great house!

The heat from GOW bulbs shouldn't be a problem. I'd keep the transformer outside
of the body of the house, though. They CAN get a bit warm, particularly if it
has limited ventilation as it would hidden in the basement or behind a wall.

Are you trying to simulate recessed can-lights? I can think of a number of ways
to create small reflective cylinders and washer-shaped trim pieces.

- Herb
  #5  
Old June 29th 05, 08:23 PM
Glen Sayers
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Thanks, I'll be very surprised if I run out of power but never say never.

I was thinking about getting some large rivets, popping out the nail and
using them as surrounds.

With regards to replacing, the way I've done it is specifically so I can get
them out the back of the house.

I'm making my house front access and display only. The back and back roof
will be screwed on and "dads" place only for maintenance.

I'm mounting it on a 6 wheeled castored base with 1000 year old swamp Kauri
Tree trim donated by a mate.

Looks nice so far. Beautifully rich timber.


Cheers
Glen

"Glen Sayers" wrote in message
news:1120034103.933789@ftpsrv1...
Because a) I'm making a "modern" style house and I want things clear for
little hands, I'd like to use 12V 3mm 50mah wheat grain lights mounted

into
the ceiling for most of my rooms. Is this ok or a fire hazard or just not
done for some reason?

I'm going to drill and mount one bulb and run it for several hours tonight
as a test but maybe someone's got a better idea? Super bright led's? I

know
they put out a lot of light?

Obviously I'm trying to make as many fittings as I can.

My power supply is 0-12V 5amp variable with current limiting. ie 60 watts

so
power supply shouldn't be a problem. I'd just hate to turn on the lights

and
have the house burn down followed by the house burning down. Cheers
Glen




  #6  
Old June 29th 05, 08:39 PM
Herb
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Posts: n/a
Default

Glen Sayers wrote:

Thanks, I'll be very surprised if I run out of power but never say never.

I was thinking about getting some large rivets, popping out the nail and
using them as surrounds.


Other thoughts:
White drinking straws
Aluminum, stainless steel, brass, or copper tubing
Metalic bead caps
Aluminum cans (real) cut into strips and rolled

I use clear plastic drinking straws (tiny lengths, of course) as illuminated
ceiling fixtures in 1/144 (dollhouse in a dollhouse) rooms. Sometimes decorated
with glass paint or just plain dark lines. No heating or discoloration
problems, but then they're VERY tiny bulbs and not on for very long.

- Herb
  #7  
Old November 14th 05, 12:22 AM
Betsy959
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Posts: n/a
Default down lights


"Glen Sayers" wrote in message
news:1120039146.48930@ftpsrv1...
I've been running two test bulbs for three hours now at 14V and if it's of
any interest the timber had heated so little, in both cases, that I
actually
had to press it against my lips to gauge the temp rise. The timber could
be
described as luke warm at best so I "guess" there is little chance of a
fire. Don't quote me on that though.
The medium was 5mm mdf with the wires drilled in through the side and then
down.

you can see a picture of what I'm talking about at the bottom of
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~ga...doll/index.htm

I just want some safe, out of the way lights that can be easily changed so
if I drill a hole through from the back I can just push them in.

Cheers
Glen

Glen that is one adorable dollhouse. Your baby is so lucky! I really like
the look of the lighting. Pretty clever fella. Have fun.


 




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