Dept 56 building on accessory current

[msacco]

Hoping Bob N or someone else can help here. I have a Dept 56 Krispy Kreme with niche lights and a revolving sign on top. it has a jack that plugs into a regular household current A.c outlet. Of course I tried to run the leads from the jack off of a transformer to no avail. Can this structure be lit using transformer a.c. current of abouat 14 volts. thanks, Mike S.

[lionelsoni]

Probably not.  If there were a transformer inside reducing the line voltage to 14, you could bypass it; but I bet the motor and lights are meant to run directly from 120 volts.

[dougdagrump]

If it has a "jack" on the back it is probably powered by a small DC transformer that plugs into a 120 v source.

[challenger3980]

From my experience, all the Dept. 56 and other brands of ceramic buildings, that use a "Jack" have a "Wallwart" type transformer. The buildings that I have seen that use straight 120V/AC power, have the line cord hard wired.

 One reason it may not be working is that the Wallwart that likely powers it, not only "Transforms" the power from 120V to 12-14V, but it also may be "Rectifying" it from AC to DC, so it still may not work properly, especially the motor for the revolving sign, is very likely a DC only motor.

Doug

[lionelsoni]

Since a jack can't plug into anything, I took Mike's words, " it has a jack that plugs into a regular household current A.c outlet", to mean no wall-wart.  It might have a DC motor; but a synchronous motor, like those used for clocks and microwave-oven turntables would be a very reasonable and cheap design for rotating a sign.  I think we need a better description from Mike. 

[msacco]

Okay,sorry but I did say what mean. this structure has no wallwart. It has a regular household type cord with a plug for an outlet on one end and on the other there is a fixture very much like a christmas bulb and socket. From the bottom of this fixture is a slightly thinner cord that has a socket that accepts the two prong plug in the unit. Hope that helps. I guess the neon- like signs in the shop and the motor run from the jack and the bulb does the interior lighting. Mike S.

[lionelsoni]

Okay, it seems like everything is running directly off 120 volts AC, which leaves little hope for running it from a 14-volt accessory supply.

[msacco]

well, thanks Bob, I guess I will just stick a bright train bulb in a fixture and place it in the structure. Won't have a spinning sign but I can live with that. thanks again.

[richhotrain]

msacco

well, thanks Bob, I guess I will just stick a bright train bulb in a fixture and place it in the structure. Won't have a spinning sign but I can live with that. thanks again.

msacco,

What are we missing here?

Why can't you just plug the cord into a wall outlet. extension cord, or power strip and place the structure on your layout with the sign spinning?

Rich

[jonadel]

richhotrain

msacco

well, thanks Bob, I guess I will just stick a bright train bulb in a fixture and place it in the structure. Won't have a spinning sign but I can live with that. thanks again.

msacco,

What are we missing here?

Why can't you just plug the cord into a wall outlet. extension cord, or power strip and place the structure on your layout with the sign spinning?

Rich

 

We have over 15 D 56 bldgs. on our layout and simply run the power chords into a power strip under the table and into a wall outlet.  Seemed like the easiest and smartest idea.

[msacco]

Yes, I can plug it in but I wanted to add to my control panel off/on switch that controls my general lighting on the layout. thanks again, mike s.