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Post by pcbpoppy on Apr 13, 2019 10:48:48 GMT -5
A little experimenting today. I took out the Rokuhan C004 and attached it to one of my RC-02's. I then plugged in the A016 to the C004. This is where I got excited. I opened up John Cubbin's Stick-On Cool White LED's and Remote Dimmer. This system is so easy to implement. As stated, "All you have to do is Twist, Plug & Play!". I can't overstate this, I mean it is so simple. I just loosely placed one in the Kibri 36607 Warehouse/Silo just to see what the effect was. Nothing has been permanently attached. I think I'm going to need 3 of the lights in this structure. As it states on the packaging of the Dimmer, "Once you start adding lights in Z Scale, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner". THAT IS SO TRUE!
I'm hooked now!
Regards, Charles
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Post by markm on Apr 14, 2019 14:30:46 GMT -5
Yes lighting effects are a great way to add interest to a layout. One doesn't need to be a skill craftsman or a talented artist to add lighting and with the Rokuhan system and John's enhancements, one really doesn't need much in the way of electrical skills.
But Charles be aware with lighting effects comes creeping elegance. As you may have noted from your image, the bright LEDs tend to shine through many of the materials used in Z scale so I'll want to lower the intensity or block the light using paint or tape. Once you get it the way you want it, then you'll start thinking of "cool" white versus "warm" white lighting. Then adding window dressing, internal partitions to vary the light across windows. Then there are silhouettes to add the indication of people...and so on.
Enjoy,
Mark
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Post by pcbpoppy on Apr 14, 2019 15:09:58 GMT -5
Exactly Mark. I bought this structure used, assembled off eBay and when I put the LED in I immediately wished that the original owner had painted the inside black. As you say, just have to get a little creative.
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Post by markm on Apr 14, 2019 15:50:06 GMT -5
Charles,
Painting the outside will help. If you can open up the base enough, you can use an opaque tape. It's a bit like arthroscopic surgery, but with patience it can be done. Actually, I find white paint is a better light blocker. It has more solids (Titanium white) than the dark colors.
Mark
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Post by pcbpoppy on Apr 14, 2019 16:30:40 GMT -5
Thanks Mark. The underside is pretty open, especially the right and left of the structure. It's the tall "silo" portion that will probably require some "arthroscopic surgery".
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Post by markm on Apr 14, 2019 17:32:17 GMT -5
If you're handy with chop sticks you'd be amazed how useful they become in Z. For future reference, I can recommend the multi-story office and commercial buildings from Rokuhan. They're built with an interlocking design that allows you to take them apart to work on them and snap them back together when done. Also some have ground floor details. They also have a hole in the floor piece that will accept a 3-5mm (T1 or T13/4) LED. Maybe all their building are designed this way, but these are the only ones I've worked with.
Mark
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Post by pcbpoppy on Apr 14, 2019 19:41:02 GMT -5
Again, thanks Mark. I have a few of the Rokuhan buildings planned for placement. And I'm pretty fair with the chopsticks.
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