Sorry to open up a new thread solely for this topic, but I am in a bit of desperate help with the lighting for the poster boxes I am getting built into my HT room.

Basically, I want a single light at the 'ceiling' of the recessed poster box. Ideally I want it to be a dimmable light (i.e., no fluorescent fixtures), and they must be able to angle inwards towards the poster for proper illumination. The real catch is, they must be very small! Looks like I can MAYBE get one of those 3 inch eyeball gimball lights, but I am not entirely sure it is possible within our space constraints, or even whether it is safe.

Anyone have experience with this? Any suggestions for lighting fixtures that will meet the above criteria? I think I found halogen lights that would fit, but I don't know if you can put dimmers on halogens.

In my last HT I built one myself with fluorescent bulbs and a dimmable ballast for the Grafik Eye.

It was way cool to have that as a zone.

Basically, I want a single light at the 'ceiling' of the recessed poster box. Ideally I want it to be a dimmable light (i.e., no fluorescent fixtures), and they must be able to angle inwards towards the poster for proper illumination.
Anyone have experience with this? Any suggestions for lighting fixtures that will meet the above criteria? I think I found halogen lights that would fit, but I don't know if you can put dimmers on halogens.

I think you should dig into some of the previous threads dealing with making free standing poster boxes. The real issue for backlighting will be to get an even light over the entire poster. One itty bitty light will be terrible. You may also need a diffuser panel between the lights and the poster.

One solution as been rope light strung in a pattern over the entire space (see chinadogs build).

Some ropes are dimmable as well.

The real issue for backlighting will be to get an even light over the entire poster. One itty bitty light will be terrible. You may also need a diffuser panel between the lights and the poster.

I am looking at lighting from the top, and not from behind the poster. Your coment still valid?

I am looking at lighting from the top, and not from behind the poster. Your coment still valid?

AH me bad, reading comprehension wasn't my strong area.

That opens up a whole set of opportunities.

You could use a light designed for under counters or an Art light modified to fit the space. I'll see I I can find one I would use. There are also mantle lights designed to shine up and light art. You would just mount upside down.

As for dimming halogens, if they are line volatge no problem. I have my halogen step lights on a dimmer. If they are 12v it will depend on the transformer you use, some can be dimmed.

Here is a dimmable line volatage Halogen light bar. You could paint the outside of the fixture to match the decor. They make different sizes I'm guessing on which one would fit your space.

http://www.waclighting.com/USA/products/?categoryid=68&productid=325

http://www.waclighting.com/data/img/2b292679-e730-4333-85c2-d652e37757a2.jpg

Having the light spread across the top would provide more even lighting of the poster case.

BIGmouthinDC,

Thanks, see if you can find me a link or two. I guess google searching is not my strong point, I could not find what I wanted.

Good to know I can dim Halogens! That definitely opens up a lot of possibilities. Once concern I have with mounting the light on the top of the poster recess area, is that I might not very good coverage towards the top of the poster. It might just look like a 'cone' of light projecting on the poster. If this is the case, I will have to consider mounting the light on the ceiling, about 2 feet away from the poster, and angles towards the poster box... this way I have a good front angle on the poster boxes. Sadly, that would also likely project light outside of the boxes themselves... ugh!

Here is a good selection of picture lights that might give you some ideas:
I note that sometimes they don't mention whether they are line or 12v. Something you would need to check.

http://www.southernlightsonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=picture&gclid=COihvPztqY0CFQIpFQodyR280A

Something like this might be perfect:

http://www.southernlightsonline.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/ht/DT24-61_lg.jpg

or slimline:

http://www.southernlightsonline.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/ht/DSL24_lg.jpg

Pretty sure these are line voltage