FAQ's
On March 1, 2023 Dwarvin Enterprises Ltd. was purchased by Trainz.com, Inc. Going forward products will be manufactured by, and fulfilled through, Trainz.com. Retail and wholesale purchasing options will be available.
Q. Why did I get an email from Trainz.com? I didn’t sign up there.
A. If you are a current subscriber to the Dwarvin newsletter, you will have received an email from Trainz.com giving you the option to opt in or opt out of further emails.
Q. What about my Dwarvin points?
A. Your points will remain valid on the Dwarvin website. At a future point, we may fold the Dwarvin website into Trainz.com, at which point you will have the option to enroll in the Trainz Rewards points program.
Q. Are you planning to continue producing Dwarvin lighting products?
A. Yes! We’ve received hands-on training from Dwarvin employees and will continue to produce the full product range. Eventually we expect to expand the product offerings to include innovative new products.
Q. Is there an easy way to bend fibers?
A. Yes, use boiling water. To see a technique that works, go to https://www.dwarvin.com/blogs/stories/bending-fibers
Q. How many of the DVFC1.5 - 1.5mm diameter Fibers can be used with one Lamplighter™ 1 or 2 boxes?
A. About 13 of the 1.5mm diameter fibers can be used with one Lamplighter™ 1 box, and close to 30 in the Lamplighter 2 box.
Q. How many of the DVFC1.0 - 1.0mm diameter Fibers can be used with one Lamplighter™ 1 and 2 boxes?
A. About 28 of the 1.0mm diameter fibers can be used with one Lamplighter™ 1 box, and 60 in the Lamplighter 2 box.
Q. How many buildings can I light with 1 Lamplighter box?
A. If you are in HO - using 1.5mm diameter fibers you can light up to 13 buildings with 1 fiber each using the Lamplighter™ 1 box, or 26 with the 2 box. If you are in N scale - using 1.0mm fibers you can light 28 buildings with 1 fiber each using the Lamplighter™ 1 box, or 60 with the 2 box.
Q. How many Dwarvin Street Lights can be used with one Lamplighter 1 box?
A. This depends on the diameter of the Fiber that is used with the Dwarvin Street Lights. Almost all of the N and HO scale lamps use 1mm diameter fiber. All the O scale lamps use 1.5mm fiber. Refer to the answer above as to how many of these fibers can be used with one Lamplighter 1 or 2 box, if no other fibers are being used with that same box.
Q. How many feet of Fiber should I use?
A. Usually calculate a 3foot / 1 meter run between the location of the Lamplighter 1 or 2 box and the structure to be lit. Clearly what you need will depend on your layout and its compactness.
Q. What is the maximum length of Fiber can I use?
A. You can run many feet of fiber. Typically we sell the fibers in bundles of 30feet. You can visually check the amount of light from an intact role of fiber and see that there is very little loss of light over that distance.
Q. Can the light intensity of an individual FOC be varied?
A. Yes, by moving the FOC to different depths within the Lamplighter 1 box the light intensity will be varied.
Q. Changing the color of a Fiber
A. The most cost effective solution is to translucent paint (say from Tamiya) onto the end of the FOC inside a building. Alternatively, colored markers a transparent cellophane can be used at the end of a fiber.
Q. Will the fibers fall out of the Lamplighter box?
A. The Lampllghter has a grommet at the place where you insert the fibers. This will grab the fibers and hold them in there tightly.
Q. It is difficult to at first put in more than 5 Fibers into one Lamplighter 1 box, what is the solution to making it easier to add more?
A. Remove the Fibers that have been inserted into the Lamplighter box and use the blunt end of a standard pencil to open up the fronds of the ferrel at the entrance to the box. Insert the pencil about 1” only, so as to not damage the internal optics. This should allow many more Fibers to be inserted.
Q. Can the Lamplighter be used outside of the USA / Canada?
A. Yes, as the power supply is compatible with both 110 and 240V. However, an adapter will be needed if using the supply supplied with the Lamplighter 1 box.
Q. Can I use my own power supply?
A. The power supply provided with the product has been tested to meet the demands of the Lamplighter Box and so it is recommended to use that supply.
Q. Can I connect fibers together?
A. Yes, there are a number of ways to do this, including our Fiber Connecting Kits Please see the video as to how to use these, as well as the article "Fiber Connectors for Hobbyists Made Simple"
Q. Can I make the fibers behave like a flood light instead of providing directional lighting?
A. To make a flood light is quite straightforward. Push the end of the fiber very very briefly over a flame. That will cause the end of it to melt slightly and form a convex shape which will give you the desired effect. So, if starting with a 1.5mm diameter fiber, the end needs to be expanded the heated end it to about 2.3 or 2.4mm diameter. This will cause it to function more as a flood light.
Q. Is there much light loss in a 9foot versus 3 foot fiber?
A. No, there is no detectable light loss. For more details see this blog