Electrifying a lantern help wanted please


T

Twinboystrains

Well-Known Member
I purchased a Dietz Trafficguard lantern at the Binghamton train show this Saturday. My plan is to light it using a dimmable LED for accent lighting. I was hoping to run the cord through the fill spout and only remove the wick. This way if I decide to restore it later, no extra damage has been done. I have rewired floor and table lamps years ago but used incandescent bulbs. Haven’t used LED lights, that’s why I’m seeking help. Looking forward to what the community comes up with.
 

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Twinboystrains said:
I purchased a Dietz Trafficguard lantern at the Binghamton train show this Saturday. My plan is to light it using a dimmable LED for accent lighting. I was hoping to run the cord through the fill spout and only remove the wick. This way if I decide to restore it later, no extra damage has been done. I have rewired floor and table lamps years ago but used incandescent bulbs. Haven’t used LED lights, that’s why I’m seeking help. Looking forward to what the community comes up with.
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Easiest thing would be to get an LED assembly with coin cell battery, and a magnetic want to turn it on and off. Whenever the batteries finally go dead, just get a pack off your favorite E-tailer. No wiring needed, just make sure the sensor for the light is where you can get to it with the wand.
 
There’s another train show coming up the end of the month. Planning on seeing if a vendor has a pendant lamp with power supply there. Had thought of using a string of fairy lights since my wife has a few extra strings in her crafting supplies…but to me they don’t look realistic.
 
Twinboystrains said:
Haven’t used LED lights, that’s why I’m seeking help. Looking forward to what the community comes up with.
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You can buy LED lights with either Screw or Bayonet fittings for mains supply so you can simply convert the lamp as you've suggested and add the LED bulb, something like this I think would work if you can find the correct fitting. (I'm sure you can find something similar in the US).

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When I get a free moment, I’m going to be going to the local hardware store to see what’s available. I believe in supporting local businesses over online retailers. I’m thinking of a light socket with a small screw in bulb like a night light. Maybe they have a dimmable bulb.
 
Twinboystrains said:
When I get a free moment, I’m going to be going to the local hardware store to see what’s available. I believe in supporting local businesses over online retailers. I’m thinking of a light socket with a small screw in bulb like a night light. Maybe they have a dimmable bulb.
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You can usually get a dimmable switch, that would work.
 
Thanks @Smudge617. I’ll definitely look to see what they have available. I’m trying to get it done before December 29th. It’s my twin sons birthday present. They know I have it but I didn’t tell them the real reason I got it. Both have Autism and they both like trains. I model N scale while they have HO scale.
 
Twinboystrains said:
Thanks @Smudge617. I’ll definitely look to see what they have available. I’m trying to get it done before December 29th. It’s my twin sons birthday present. They know I have it but I didn’t tell them the real reason I got it. Both have Autism and they both like trains. I model N scale while they have HO scale.
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See if there's a round touch-sensitive dimmer switch, then they can "dial" the light brighter/dimmer themselves.
 
I had the answer in front of me the whole time. I walked into my daughter’s room to go looking for a extra blanket for one of my twin boys bed. She has those strip LED lights around her desk. They come with a small remote to control the brightness and the color.
Thinking of sliding some wire through the wick area and out the filler neck, attach a end and pull it back out. Then I would have the USB port to plug it in. If I loop the end of the strip and place it in the bottom of the burner ring I think it would work…looking for the light to be somewhat hidden and not directly visible.
Thoughts and theories are appreciated.
 
I have the lantern lit! Although not the way I wanted to do it but I used what was on hand. Dipped into the crafting supplies of SWMBO…figured why not she’s normally taking the tools I have left out. Winding a coil of 75 battery powered fairy lights around a empty spice jar I got them to condense enough to fit in the globe without a bunch actually touching the glass.
 

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Thinking of re wrapping the wire around the bottle permanently as now as it has relaxed, there’s more lights against the globe. Still going to look at a different light source as the batteries don’t last long. And they’re not getting any cheaper.
 
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