Reducing voltage to lights in my doodlebug

1. If these are incandescent bulbs powered by 16 volts ac, try just a single diode (1N4003) in series with the power to the lamps. It will reduce the voltage to a value that might be just right. I'm assuming your total current drawn is less than an amp.

Thank You

They are incandescent bulbs, in holders like christmas lights.

Upon closer inspection, power comes straight from the track.

I want to get the voltage down to about 9 volts so they will last longer & not generate so much heat under the roof.

Bill

Try what CJACK said and you will like it. Put the diode in series with the light's hot lead from the center rail.

Try the 1N4003 method.  If you "do" eBay, just search on "1N4003 diode" - 100 for $1 w/free shipping from Asia (if you can wait a couple weeks).  Or 10 for $1.59 w/free shipping from within US.  

So what to do with the extra diodes?  If starting from 16V AC as it appears you are, the single diode method reduces the effective voltage to about 10.5 Volts.  If you truly need closer to 9 Volts, you can use additional diodes to further reduce the voltage about 3/4 Volt per diode.