Installing Lighting
Wiring a Dolls House – 1:12 Scale
There are many different techniques you can use when adding lights and fires to a dolls house, but the quickest, and cheapest, I would say is the standard round wire system.
This comprises a central terminal strip with 12 sockets, a fuse, and an on-off switch which connects to the transformer with the attached cable.
Each light is then plugged individually into this hub either directly or via extension cables. The terminal strip should be mounted on the outside back wall of the dolls house using the adhesive tape on the back of the strip.
There are many different techniques you can use when adding lights and fires to a dolls house, but the quickest, and cheapest, I would say is the standard round wire system.
This comprises a central terminal strip with 12 sockets, a fuse, and an on-off switch which connects to the transformer with the attached cable.
Each light is then plugged individually into this hub either directly or via extension cables. The terminal strip should be mounted on the outside back wall of the dolls house using the adhesive tape on the back of the strip.
Transformer
The lead-in wire should be connected to the transformer by using the screw terminals (the spade terminals on the end of the wire can be fitted either way round as most dolls house transformers are AC).
If you need more than 12 sockets, or if the wires from upstairs lights don’t reach the terminal strip, then use one or more triple extension leads which will also fix to the back of the house by adhesive pads.
The transformer should be sized according to the number of 'bulbs' being fitted (NOT by the number of light fittings). You can if nessesary use a higher rated transformer than required but do not exceed the recommended rating on a transformer by adding more bulbs than specified. The most popular transformer will run up to 32 bulbs – enough for most 6 to 8 room houses.
The lead-in wire should be connected to the transformer by using the screw terminals (the spade terminals on the end of the wire can be fitted either way round as most dolls house transformers are AC).
If you need more than 12 sockets, or if the wires from upstairs lights don’t reach the terminal strip, then use one or more triple extension leads which will also fix to the back of the house by adhesive pads.
The transformer should be sized according to the number of 'bulbs' being fitted (NOT by the number of light fittings). You can if nessesary use a higher rated transformer than required but do not exceed the recommended rating on a transformer by adding more bulbs than specified. The most popular transformer will run up to 32 bulbs – enough for most 6 to 8 room houses.
Connecting the Lights
Before installing any lights, you should temporarily plug them into the terminal strip, switch on, and confirm they are working. Bear in mind that bulbs often loosen in transit, so may need tightening before they will work (do not over tighten though!). A useful technique is to use a plastic straw over the bulb to loosen or tighten it. A straw will get into places a lot easier than fingers, and the natural slippage will help prevent over tightening.
Before installing any lights, you should temporarily plug them into the terminal strip, switch on, and confirm they are working. Bear in mind that bulbs often loosen in transit, so may need tightening before they will work (do not over tighten though!). A useful technique is to use a plastic straw over the bulb to loosen or tighten it. A straw will get into places a lot easier than fingers, and the natural slippage will help prevent over tightening.
Ceiling
To install a ceiling lamp, first paint or paper the ceiling of the room you are fitting it in, then using a Dremel drill or similar, drill a small hole where the fitting is to go. I go in through the beam where possible, then using a V shaped tool I make a channel from the hole along the beam to the back of the room, then drill another hole out through the back wall.
To install a ceiling lamp, first paint or paper the ceiling of the room you are fitting it in, then using a Dremel drill or similar, drill a small hole where the fitting is to go. I go in through the beam where possible, then using a V shaped tool I make a channel from the hole along the beam to the back of the room, then drill another hole out through the back wall.
Wiring the Plug
Remove the plug from the fitting by holding the plug in one hand while using a small pair of pliers to pull out the pins. This will free the wire which has been anchored by the pins and allow the plug to be completely removed. Pass the wire through the ceiling hole, along the groove in the floor or beam and out through the back wall. The light can be fixed permanently in place using the adhesive pad supplied.
Replace the plug by reversing the method to remove it after cutting the wire if necessary for a neat job. The floor of the room above can then have carpet or other floor covering applied to completely cover the wiring.
Remove the plug from the fitting by holding the plug in one hand while using a small pair of pliers to pull out the pins. This will free the wire which has been anchored by the pins and allow the plug to be completely removed. Pass the wire through the ceiling hole, along the groove in the floor or beam and out through the back wall. The light can be fixed permanently in place using the adhesive pad supplied.
Replace the plug by reversing the method to remove it after cutting the wire if necessary for a neat job. The floor of the room above can then have carpet or other floor covering applied to completely cover the wiring.
Wall
This would include standard wall lamps, fires, etc. Where possible fit to the rear wall of the dolls house. Decorate the wall first, then drill a hole for the wire to pass through.
Remove the plug as before, pass the wire through the wall, fix the lamp in place, and reconnect the plug. Fires are generally supplied without plugs, so purchase a pack of spare plugs if you are intending to fit a fire. You may also want to consider a flicker-flame unit to add a little more realism).
You can also fit lamps to an interior wall by using a similar technique to the one with the ceiling lights. Drill a hole through the wall where the light fitting is to be situated, then on the reverse of that wall, using the corner of a chisel, cut a groove from the hole to the back of the house – make sure that you don’t decorate the other side of the wall until the wiring has been completed.
This would include standard wall lamps, fires, etc. Where possible fit to the rear wall of the dolls house. Decorate the wall first, then drill a hole for the wire to pass through.
Remove the plug as before, pass the wire through the wall, fix the lamp in place, and reconnect the plug. Fires are generally supplied without plugs, so purchase a pack of spare plugs if you are intending to fit a fire. You may also want to consider a flicker-flame unit to add a little more realism).
You can also fit lamps to an interior wall by using a similar technique to the one with the ceiling lights. Drill a hole through the wall where the light fitting is to be situated, then on the reverse of that wall, using the corner of a chisel, cut a groove from the hole to the back of the house – make sure that you don’t decorate the other side of the wall until the wiring has been completed.
Finishing the Job
Once the lights have all been fitted, it is a good idea to tidy up the wires on the back of the house. Wires can be held in place with masking tape, and cut to appropriate lengths to fit the terminal strip and any extensions used. Alternatively you can use plastic tubing or channel to route the wires.
Battery Lights
There are many forms of light fittings now that you can purchase from your local supplier or online, so if you can't quite get enough wire to where you want to put a light or it may just look too untidy. Why not go for a battery cell driven light.
Once the lights have all been fitted, it is a good idea to tidy up the wires on the back of the house. Wires can be held in place with masking tape, and cut to appropriate lengths to fit the terminal strip and any extensions used. Alternatively you can use plastic tubing or channel to route the wires.
Battery Lights
There are many forms of light fittings now that you can purchase from your local supplier or online, so if you can't quite get enough wire to where you want to put a light or it may just look too untidy. Why not go for a battery cell driven light.