Car bulbs for house lighting

M

matthew

Registered
Hi all, been a long time since last posting due to GCSE's and other going ons,

Have been looking around Maplins and other local retailers trying to find cheap car lighting bulbs that people use for lighting up outdoor model buildings?

Haven't really been able to find any, and it seems the old 'two prong' lights used in cars have been replaced by more modern types

anybody know where they can still be bought from cheaply?

Many thanks
Matt :)
 
matthew said:
Hi all, been a long time since last posting due to GCSE's and other going ons,

Have been looking around Maplins and other local retailers trying to find cheap car lighting bulbs that people use for lighting up outdoor model buildings?

Haven't really been able to find any, and it seems the old 'two prong' lights used in cars have been replaced by more modern types

anybody know where they can still be bought from cheaply?

Many thanks
Matt :)
Click to expand...
Hi Matthew
I use 12v car interior light bulbs in my station got mine from Halfords but that was some time ago .
 
Try your local motor factors. (Do an internet search if you don't know of one).
Ask about bulb holders first and then buy the bulbs to suit unless you already have the bulbholders.
 
We did try this but non of the local shops really had anything suitable.

This is the kind of light we were after...
34f1cef32faa4b6b817460baae8fab90.jpg


Would this work wired directly to a 12V current from the 2 prongs?

Also, amber seems to be the colour used for lighting, would white light give too unnatural a light?
 
bit powerfull,,,,, try brake or indicator bulbs,,,,

i would venture down the local scrap yard and have a poke around,,,

the bulb holders are usually demountable from the light units
 
Those look like halogen headlight bulbs, one prong for dipped the other for main beam, the return (or negative) is the surround. They will be very, very bright! Heat might also be an issue in plastic models. You can get low-wattage 12v bulbs and holders - the advantage being the holders usually have screw holes for easy mounting - from any electrical retailers. Mine are 4 or 5 watt, I think, which gives just the right glow. LED's are now a cheap and easy alternative that last roughly forever.
 
More like:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module?ModuleNo=1941

and

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module?ModuleNo=27361&OrderCode=GC55K < Link To http://www.maplin.co.uk/M...61&OrderCode=GC55K

or similar. This is what I have in my buildings, gives the right amount of light without looking like a prison camp!
LED strips look good too, I'm after some for my fire station etc so the interior detail can be seen. :bigsmile:

N.B. Check with Maplins or whatever supplier you go to that the bulbs and holders do actually fit together. Guess how I know...
 
If you use a 12V capless bulb you wont need a holder you can solder direct to the bulb or even just wire twist them. Ask for a T20 for a 21watt bulb which should be well bright enough you can run them at less than 12 volt for a softer light and they will last a lot longer as well....................
3e1dc462f25c4660addcd8407522f17d.jpg
 
On 12V I have found the 5W bulbs for garden lights more than powerful enough if you just want to light a building.
Same bulb type as minimans posted
 
Why not try Dolls House light bulbs and holders?

Mick
 
ROSS said:
LEDS everytime. Bulbs have filaments with a limited life. Bulbs operate much longer on AC than DC - leds have a life of 50,000 hrs or so - use less power. HOWEVER..unless you specify a LED of 50 degs angle of view or more they are quite directional. Some leds are very bright over a 120 degree angle of view..but can always be tamed by using a higher OHM resistor than normally required.

Anybody ever considered lighting buildings with the bulb/led on the floor pointing upwards?
Just an odd thought.
Click to expand...

That works BUT, the light from the windows shines upwards and not on the ground outside, and it can shine on adjacent buildings spoiling the overall look. My thoughts are that most model building lighting is too bright anyway, causing to much scatter. LEDs have to be more suitable because of power usage and longer life.
 
I usually use festoon bulbs (car interior light), and make up my own bulb holders from brass sheet, but you can buy purpose built holders pretty cheaply too.

Edit: Ooops that picture was way too big. Try this one.

3fe3e40c57a2457db066f1f949b1354c.jpg
 
Very. It's 220/240 volt. The holder too is for mains (E14 is the screw thread, the smaller one, E27 is the standard large thread - we don't usually use bayonet fittings here in Europe).
Go back to Maplins, kick the bloke in the shins and shout TWELVE VOLT at him, then complain to the manager. :rolleyes:
 
Hi Matt,
The bulb that comes up on the maplin site ie R39 is 240 volt!! A little more than you need .

Shaun.
 
Sorry Mathew, as you've no doubt guessed, our local Maplins is not one of the best, so check carefully what they suggest. You might do better at Worthingtons in N.u.L if they still exist, I haven't even been near it for some years.
 
Yes they always used to be our first choice for anything electrical, been a long time since venturing to Newcastle so im not too sure on it's existance either
 
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