Wiring incandescent streetlights

You will need to adjust the voltage to match the number of lights to wire them in series.  OTOH, I still recommend series wiring as a bunch of these in parallel will require you to have 1.5 volts at significantly higher current, that will be tricky as well.

I'd get an adjustable power supply and just wire them in series.  The bulbs should be good for at a minimum many hundreds of hours providing you don't subject them to over-voltage.  Obviously, if you add lights, you'll need to adjust the voltage.  Also, if you have, say, a 12V supply, you can wire 8 in series and then another 8 in series, connect those two series strings in parallel across the supply.

Thanks, John.  I will wire in series.  I misspoke these lights are 3v - powered by 2 X AAA dry cell battery is standard. 

Can you diagram what you mean by "connect those two series strings in parallel across the supply"??

I will be running these from a ZW,  through a voltage adjustable AC/DC to DC Buck Adjustable Step Down Converter, set at something just below the 3v-  BUT since I don't expect a lot of light from these anyway, likely I will reduce to something around 2v to save the bulbs.

And- one more question- do you think I could I run all of these through the slide switch that is normally used for one, or should I get a heavier-duty switch?

I think you could probably run 50 of them through almost any slide switch!

Here's a series/parallel connection for 12V supply.  This will not waste any power and also allow you to use smaller wire.

You da man!!  Thanks!!

Have fun.

Question for GRJ: Would a series/parallel arrangement work for lamps using higher voltage, such as Lionel #58 and 71? I am having power issues setting up a dozen each of these.  They are currently arranged in parallel along 2 separate dead-end bus wires, each on a separate transformer (Z and R) to help in the power distribution (a few other lighted accessories also on each of these bus wires). I could further breakdown the wiring into sections similar to your diagram, but not sure this would apply to these types of lamps.

Thanks,  Michael

Well, in series the voltages required add.  I'm not sure what those bulbs require, but let's assume they're 12V bulbs.  If so, you'd need 24 volts to light two fully in series.  The series option is really for lower voltage lighting, that way you can minimize the current in the circuit.

That's what I thought, but wanted to confirm with the expert!  Thanks. 

So far, the 3 transformers (ZW, Z, and R) appear to be managing the load, but I have not had the system in continuous operation for any length of time. When I get a chance, I'll keep the system in operation to monitor the heat build up on the units.

And, BTW, when the layout was in operation for a short period for the Christmas crowd, there was a request to dim the room lighting...at which point there were oohs and aahs at the sight of the layout lighting. Gotta figure out a way to keep the vintage lamps!

Thanks again, Michael

Lights really make a layout, so I hear you here.

Michael, surely Evans or another LED vendor sells a direct replacement LED for the OEM bulbs.

Carl,

Yes, that is another option, and I will consider this for the #71 lamps.  The 58s have a unique tear drop shape, which adds to the character, so that presents another issue, but I'll look into this as well.

Thanks,  Michael