Suggestions Needed Lighting A Building Front

Eliot,

I do not think the bulbs can generate enough heat to cause any problems.

Hot glue or ca with an accelerator should work fine. The rails should work good with th 6 inch leads. I always wire bulb lead to bulb lead, but I think your method probably makes more sense.

alan graziano

I've used inkjet vellum paper. It's translucent but you can't see inside. 

Bulbs????? You will be sorry! [in the long run when you have to replace them]

14v grain of wheat bulbs are very bright at full voltage, and do generate some heat, but not enough to catch the building on fire.  However, they can "scorch" or turn some paper & cardboads dark, so my suggestion would be to back them off a bit from nearby objects and adhesives to be on the safe side.

May I also suggest that you run the lights with a lower voltage.  Fully powered grain of wheat bulbs are very very bright.  Consider reducing the voltage which will make the bulbs give off a warmer glow.  They will run much cooler, of course, and last longer.

As Ed mentioned vellum paper works well.  I have also used tissue paper, the kind in flat packages that you use to stuff around gifts in a bag.

Good luck!  Hope we can we see photos of it when you're done.

Have you considered using rice paper?

Great suggestions everyone. I will try the thinner paper and will run the bulbs at 10-12v. Many thanks.

Scrappy

Not sure if were planning to hot glue the bulb itself, but I would think the bulb heat is going to soften the glue.

I know it wouldn't be as inexpensive as your GOW bulb strategy, but Woodland Scenics lighting system has become my all-time favorite for situations like this.  

WS Lighting Link

Ease of installation, longevity/low power/low heat of LED's, separate dimming, incandescent (Yellow White) and flourescent (Bright White) choices (even red....exit lights, only, in the the darkened room!)...makes it all worthwhile.

But, it is, of course, just another choice.

KD

My LHS just recently set up a display of the WS lighting system. First time I had seen it operation in person and got to fiddle with it. I must agree it was quite impressive with lots of selections and features. It's a really neat, well designed, well thought out system!! However, I have not yet looked into the cost.