Preparing LED layout lighting power supply and dimmer on the Burbank Branch in N scale
Lighting is a key factor on a model railroad layout. Good lighting ensures the layout is well-illuminated and visually appealing. Nowadays, COB LED strips provide an excellent source of evenly distributed light (with no dark spots) and are more energy-efficient compared to fluorescent or traditional light bulbs.
LED strips are also dimmable, provided they are powered through dimmable power supplies and connected to a dimmer.
Before installing the LED strips, I built a power and dimming station on a piece of 15mm-thick MDF to ensure clean and organized wiring.
In the photo above, there are two power supplies:
- The larger one is a 200W dimmable power supply, which powers the 2700K and 4000K LED strips.
- The smaller one is a 60W dimmable power supply, dedicated to the blue LED strips used for night scenes.
Dimmers
The three yellow square devices are dimmers. They are powered by the power supplies and provide dimmed current to the LED strips. Each dimmer is connected to a normally open pushbutton, which controls both the on/off function and dimming.
Initially, I planned to light the layout using only the combined 2700K and 4000K LED strips, with the dimmer allowing for a custom balance between the two color temperatures. However, I later decided to include a blue LED strip as well to illuminate the layout for night scenes.
Cooling
To improve cooling, I attached the power supply to the MDF baseboard using small nuts, which keep the power supplies elevated and allow air to flow underneath.
The dimmers will be connected to pushbuttons, as shown in a previous post. The pushbuttons enable custom combinations of the three LED strips (4000K, 2700K, and blue) to create various lighting scenes beyond the traditional bright daylight.
Conclusion
Proper LED layout lighting significantly enhances the realism and visual appeal of a model railroad layout. By using COB LED strips, modelers can achieve evenly distributed light without dark spots, creating an optimal viewing experience. Pairing dimmable LED strips with a dimmable power supply and a dimmer switch allows for customizable lighting scenarios, from bright daylight to subtle nighttime effects.
For a clean and organized installation, mounting a power and dimming station on an MDF board helps manage wiring efficiently. Investing in a well-planned model railroad lighting system not only improves aesthetics but also ensures reliable, long-term performance.
