Lighting under layout recommendations?

I have a few led strips that run on +/- 12volts (leftovers from passenger car upgrades) that I have stuck up underneath to help me see. separately switched too.

LED Rope lights would probably be easy but I don't know the cost. That's my plan.

Rope lights sound great then i ask myself how often do i need to go under there and i decide a headlamp or flashlight pointed up is sufficient for the occasional trip under there.

I have LED rope lights.  I drilled holes in the 2x4 table beams and ran them like the the layout wiring. A 50’ strand is fairly cheap on Amazon and they can be daisychained together if you need a longer length. Lowes also sells them, but I could only find them there in warm white. I wanted cool/bright white and had to go to Amazon to find that temp.

I use a Dewalt LED light that can be pointed up and has a wide spread of light that takes rechargeable batteries.  I don't need light under the layout often, and I can use this anywhere in the house.

I used under counter lights for kitchens, they work great.  I have them on an RF remote control, I removed their in-cord controller.

@SWM Trains posted:

I use a Dewalt LED light that can be pointed up and has a wide spread of light that takes rechargeable batteries.  I don't need light under the layout often, and I can use this anywhere in the house.

I also use a DeWalt battery powered light along with a strong headlamp.  I put the DeWalt on the floor and the goose neck can be pointed at the area I want to see.  When you add the headlamp, the area I am working is nice and bright.

Before any track happened on top

I wired and installed six barn type lamps with LED bulbs 24" from the floor attached to the 2x4's around the perimeter of the layout.  Not an overkill in my estimation.   Even six years ago I could not see well under the layout.  The six are terrific. 

So Many options out there.

Tomorrow, my first cataract is removed.

If I need point light for working on a specific area, I have a couple of really bright LED battery powered lights.  My permanent lights are for finding stuff stored under the layout without lugging a light under there as well.

For general under lighting, I used a two tube, lens covered 4' long LED under cabinet shop light which screws into the underlayout base, so you need some available room to mount it (or build a mount) and it is corded with a standard plug.

I also used a wireless rocker wall light switch. It comes with a remote device that plugs into a standard wall outlet (or extension cord) and then plugged the LED light into that. You can then mount the wall switch anywhere within about 20' and it will turn the LED light on/off.

Various options on the big A - works great.   

@robmmichaels posted:

I have been using a headlamp to illuminate underneath my layout when wiring etc. I am wondering if I should attach an LED string instead. Does anyone have a recommended LED string that has worked well underneath their layout?

Thanks.

My girlfriend got me an around the neck led light for Christmas. I have found it extremely handy when I’m working on the layout, above or below. With its flexibility there’s precise light anywhere I want it.

I used LED cool/bright white rope lights plugged into an Alexa. Works great. I just say Alexa Under Main Lights ON/Off. One thing to note. I did use the supplied hangers and they break in time. I just took them all off and nailed it up with wire staples used for house wiring. Works great!

They sell Clamp Lamp Lights with 6 inch aluminum reflector and cord.  I keep couple, with extension cords, under the layout that can be moved to where it is needed or easily used for other purposes.

Charlie

Have a T5 fixture for when i was growing baby fig plants many years back under the table in winter season here, layout is small 4 x 8 .

Learned lesson not to grow baby fig plants in house as they brought gnats but that was long ago.

Anyways it is very low wattage and lights up the whole underside easily

I've been using a lot of LED light tape which is inexpensive and easy to use, self adhesive, low voltage and no heat problems.        Dimmable soft or bright light for less that $20 or use RGB to provide a nice softer glow effect.       I purchased a lot, started using soft white for passenger car interiors, under the desk lighting, even inside the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.     I also like the RGB which has a lot of uses, transition daytime to night time lighting effects.  Other use which my wife likes is to replace the night lights, soft purple under the bed was my first non train utilization, now I have it under the handrail for the stairs and multiple other place in the house.  My train shelves are next on the list,.. 

As for cost, 65 feet of RGB for $17.99 on Amazon, comes with remote.

Mike in NC,

@CurtisH posted:

I used LED cool/bright white rope lights plugged into an Alexa. Works great. I just say Alexa Under Main Lights ON/Off. One thing to note. I did use the supplied hangers and they break in time. I just took them all off and nailed it up with wire staples used for house wiring. Works great!

1/2 inch 2 hole PVC Electrical Conduit straps work good for holding LED Rope Light strings up in place under the layout and are cheap, I think they were approximately $5-6 for a bag of 25 straps at Lowes. If using wiring staples, don't nail them too tight or you can break the wire inside.

@Gary P posted:

1/2 inch 2 hole PVC Electrical Conduit straps work good for holding LED Rope Light strings up in place under the layout and are cheap, I think they were approximately $5-6 for a bag of 25 straps at Lowes. If using wiring staples, don't nail them too tight or you can break the wire inside.

Gardner Bender (GB) makes the Cable Boss staple gun which makes installing rope lights on wood frames super easy. Also very handy for installing just about any other wiring under your layout.

@Gary P posted:

1/2 inch 2 hole PVC Electrical Conduit straps work good for holding LED Rope Light strings up in place under the layout and are cheap, I think they were approximately $5-6 for a bag of 25 straps at Lowes. If using wiring staples, don't nail them too tight or you can break the wire inside.

I found the clamps that look like a P with a screw hole in the tail work best. You can get them in a size that matches the diameter of the LED Rope light and wrap around and put a screws in. Easy to hang , easy to move! AND They are not expensive from my local hardware store. No need to drive miles to Lowes or Home Depot.