How are you lighting under your layout so you can see during wire installation or maintenance?

I bought a bunch of the under counter lights from Amazon and wired them to a 12V power supply on a RF remote switch.

I have a 110 VAC master rocker switch and GFI outlet installed/isolated in the layout  control  panel.  The outlet is not switched.  The master switch turns on the layout and 110 VAC under layout lighting.   There is another conviently  located switch to turn the under the layout lights off.  There are also master toggle switches for AC and DC accessory power.  A bank of 110 VAC outlets under the layout provides easy transformer plugin.  All 110 VAC is installed in the same manner as house wiring.

All of my layout control electronics and terminal blocks are recessed along the front of the layout behind the facia. The only thing under the layout itself is wire, which terminates at one of those terminal blocks and turnout motors. This makes layout maintenance a lot easier.

If I do have to get under the layout for anything all of my power tools are battery powered, including the work light with adjustable head and hook.

Swapping batteries is relatively easy if you have a charging station set up.

Bob

I use a cordless drill and other cordless tools on the layout so I do not drag the power cord over the layout destroying scenery and marring trains.

@Pat Shediack posted:

I wasn't sure of the right place to ask this question, so I'm starting here in the Electrical Forum.

During wire installation and maintenance tasks under my last layout, I used a "Trouble Light" with an attached cord reel, something like this one at the link.  That light worked fine except you had to pull the cord out every time you wanted to reposition the light to install or fix something somewhere under the layout.  The nice thing was it had an 110 volt outlet built in, so you could plug a drill in if you need it during whatever task was at hand.

I still have that Trouble Light, but before I start on the new layout's wiring tasks, I'd like to get some ideas on other people on how they light up the underside of their layout for installation or maintenance.   

Your thoughts?

HEY PAT

This is what I have used for over 20 Years.   Trouble is they don't make them anymore!!!  You can't even purchase a replacement bulb.   Everything NOW is"LED"!    Dont know what to tell YOU !!

FREDSTRAINS

I use a couple of goose neck lamps that can be moved around under the platform and pointed to where I need light. 

I used these from Menards and have them on a switch underneath. I am still in the process of building, but should help out when it comes to wiring. I think I picked them up for $4.99 on sale a few weeks back.

https://www.menards.com/main/l...557086.htm?exp=false

Try a headlamp. It is hands free, cordless, and moves with your head so it is always shining where you want to see.

@cngw posted:

These Stream Lights are nice, but kind of overkill for an indoor light.  How do you shine it where you want when you need two hands to do something?

Excellent light, easily positioned and the ends swivel and are magnetic if that helps 'hanging' the light.  Total length is about 20".  Amazon.

I either use my cell phone light, or a Dewalt work light.

There are lots of good ideas here, but I think the headlight I have gives me lots of flexibility without wires or moving a separate floor light around for best illustration.  And it gives me a light I can point up.  It is a Klein rechargeable LED wide-beam light specifically made for close in work.  It is only 600 lumens but I don’t need more than that since what I am working on is less that 2 feet away.

I currently use a Black Diamond headlamp while building a new layout that does double duty as my lamp for hiking and hunting. Generally the headlamps made for outdoor activities are a lot lighter and more comfortable than the lamps marketed towards construction/emergency responders. Recharges with the same kind of USB plug that charges my Samsung cellphone.

I solved the undergroung lighting problem by installing 2 four foot fluorescent lights on the two back sides of my layout. They have worked very well without being blinding.

I used Christmas rope lights. Easy to install and don't take up a lot of space.

@Dave Ripp. posted:

I used Christmas rope lights. Easy to install and don't take up a lot of space.

Yep, installed 60 feet of light in about 20 minutes using a Cable Boss staple gun with 1/2 inch cable staples. The whole underside of the layout is just as bright as the entire room, and the individual LEDs aren't blindingly bright. "Strength in numbers"