About my lighting
I started making lights for miniatures when I realized after making my first 20th century era roombox that my choice of ready-made lights was candlesticks, chandeliers, or something based on jewelry findings. None of these remotely fit my taste, so I started to make my own. I think I can safely say that I was the first person to make real fluorescent light fixtures in 1/12 scale and almost certainly the first to use white LEDs- in about 1999 in my Gamble House Dining room roombox. Now nearly 100% of my lights use LEDs - except when they don't have a real advantage: for example, no single LED throws light equally in all directions like an incandescent bulb. If the effect requires that and there is not enough room for multiple LEDs and their wires, a light bulb gets the job.
Nearly all of my lights are my original designs, and many are one-of-a-kind. I can also make lights based on your particular requirements - just ask.
All my lights are made to run on 12 volts - the dollhouse standard:
BUT I also make LED lights to run on batteries
- the details
Just about an LED light can be made to work off of batteries. The drawbacks - if you want full brightness the batteries have to provide 3.3 to 3.6 volts which is NOT a common battery voltage so either the lights run a little dimmer, or the battery pack is likely to be bigger or use expensive batteries. Some imagination, skill and luck is required to modify some lights so the battery is actually on the light - no trailing wires or external battery pack. An off/on switch is a bit of a challenge, and the light must be removable to allow battery changes. Sconces are a typical subject for this kind of installation.
If you have space to conceal a small battery pack - something in the order of 1/2" x 3/4" (1.25cm x 2cm), I can easily convert my light sculptures, floor and desk lights to run on batteries. My track lighting can also be adapted as shown in the photo below.
How long will batteries last? My favourite answer: it depends. It depends on the quality of the battery, the size of the battery, and the number of LEDs you want to light from one battery. Here's one example however. I wired one of my standard desk lamps with a 20ma LED to a button battery (cr2032) made by Sony. It was NOT as bright as it would be if run on a regular power supply, but it was pretty good. I stopped the test after 64 hours because I was bored. Your mileage will vary.
My prices for lights adapted for batteries will typically be 5 to 15% more expensive, depending on what the actual requirement is.
Modern miniature furniture, lights and structures - modern designs for doll house miniature collectors
Comments,
questions? orders! contact me by
email 
or write to: Peter Tucker, Roomboxes Etc.
3675 West 29 Ave
Vancouver B.C. Canada V6S 1T5
or call 1 604 224 3928 Pacific time zone
I can accept Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal(+2% for PayPal)
