Rheostat/Dimmer for layout lighting?

A dimmer will not work on the secondary side and is really not designed for the primary side (120 VAC in) though it may work. A rheostat would be very expensive that could handle the wattage.

You could take 2, 6 amp diodes and make 2 circuits equivalent to about 9 volts each. Each circuit would be pulsed DC and could run lights at an acceptable level. This would use very little wattage cutting the voltage about in half. You could also make a full voltage dropper out of diodes but for large loads they would waste some wattage. Dropping voltage with diodes is explained here

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...d=413&categoryId=426

Dale H

I'd look for a cheap transformer that puts out the correct voltage and forget the rheostat, like Dale says, that's not a really good option.

An old transformer like a 1033 is good for controlling lighting with variable voltage, you might consider one of those.

Thank guys!

I actually do have some old transformers. An old Type V (veee, not 5 ), and an old VW. Both in excellent condition with new power cords I installed.

I've used the Type V before. I'll use it again for my lighting.

I was just wondering about the Powerhouses since they're currently sitting unused. I'll save them for when I expand my yard area

Thanks again

You can send me a couple of the PowerHouses.

quote:

Lionel 135Watt Powerhouses

David, you can use them if you run the power through two variable voltage channels on a MTHDCS TIU. Your TIU remote control would then act as a "dimmer" and you could set each output at any voltage desired.

Thank you for that info Susan.