As it happens, the main light switch from my layout room, is on the wall behind Lampson Yard. I intend to install a number of background buildings here.
I disguise the switch, I made up a flat from some DPM modules, and mounted it so the switch stuck out though one the the windows.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
nbrodar wrote: As it happens, the main light switch from my layout room, is on the wall behind Lampson Yard. I intend to install a number of background buildings here.I disguise the switch, I made up a flat from some DPM modules, and mounted it so the switch stuck out though one the the windows.Nick
The switch must be fairly close to the entry door to the room. Why not just cut in a new old work box and move it up out of the backdrop. The existing one can be blanked out.
There are also remotes that can be installed, but the cost and replacement is half the way there to just moving it up a foot or so. You may even get lucky and the sw box is fed by one 14-2 Romex (sw leg) dropping down from above. No matter, a simple jumper to the new location is just as easy.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Moving a light switch in the jurisdiction I live in requires hiring a licensed electrician, getting a permit, electrical inspections...$$$.
My suggested alternative is to paint the switch handle to resemble some kind of industrial exhaust duct. Pennies at most.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Great idea!
You could also install a black switch and cover plate, black out a few windows around it and hide it completely. It should be fun explaining to visitors that the light switch is in the second window on the left side on the third floor of "such such store". You could even act like someone in the store has to be told to turn the lights on and off. The kids would love it.
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
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tomikawaTT wrote: Moving a light switch in the jurisdiction I live in requires hiring a licensed electrician, getting a permit, electrical inspections...$$$.
You definitely live in the wrong jurisdiction if that is the law there -- the National Electrical Code, which most jurisdictions go by on something like this, has no such requirement. The only thing prohibited where I live is major rewiring or new construction involving electrical or plumbing work. DIY minor rewiring requires no permit.
cacole wrote: tomikawaTT wrote: Moving a light switch in the jurisdiction I live in requires hiring a licensed electrician, getting a permit, electrical inspections...$$$.You definitely live in the wrong jurisdiction if that is the law there -- the National Electrical Code, which most jurisdictions go by on something like this, has no such requirement. The only thing prohibited where I live is major rewiring or new construction involving electrical or plumbing work. DIY minor rewiring requires no permit.
cc:
One of those things which varies from place to place, this. Here, straight replacement of receptacles, switches, and light fixtures requires no permit. Anything which involves adding or removing wire theoretically does. The homeowner is allowed to do his own wiring...my own 99% total rewire just got approved.
However, water plumbing of any type is forbidden, and figure this one out...there are absolutely no restrictions or inspections for gas lines.
Some places do forbid all homeowner wiring,and imho end up in the situation we have here with plumbing -- people do it anyway, and there's no chance to inspect it. But the unenforceable law probably pleased somebody's union-plumber brother, 40 years ago.
Personally, I like the building hiding the switch. Change the color of the plate and switch to black as suggested, However, don't tell people where it is. I moved a light switch up out of the way once, no problem. Them the room became not my RR room any more and I had to put it back. That was more trouble than moving it in the first place.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Novel, maybe, but a problem, as jktrains pointed out, with people constantly putting their hands on it to turn it on and off. You're also going to have a problem with dirt from the hands, and body oils deposited there would collect dirt from the air.
Even without details to break off, in a year or two, you'll have enough dirt collected around this area to make it stand out, which I believe is the opposite of what you're trying to achieve. On my layout, I put the light and outlet switches on the outside of the wall as you go into the train room. If you're able to move them to such a location, it would probably be a lot better in the long run.
Nick,
Neat. Thanks for sharing your idea. Personally, I do think it is clever.
With 2,000+some posts, I'm sure you were prepared for the barage of suggestions for change and unsolicited assults you've received, but regardless, it's a pitty that some people can't heed the "If you've got nothing good to say..." adage.
As for those that worry about "dirt", OK...I get your point on "body oils", but for God's sake...if you're that dirty that you leave hand prints on the walls when you turn on a light....
WASH!!!....GET A SHOWER....something...
Could you put in a sideways switch? Travel is left/right rather than up/down. Then you could reach with a stick (with a small hook?). Pushing and pulling from a side is more controllable that up and down.
Just a thought.
As with all posts or open discussions you open yourselves up to what ever anyone wants to say good or bad. I myself am building my Train layout the way "I" want to because "I want to" and as far as my idea's go, well I do not see you paying my bills or building it for me,
So there!
I think its neat.
Johnnny_reb wrote:As with all posts or open discussions you open yourselves up to what ever anyone wants to say good or bad. I myself am building my Train layout the way "I" want to because "I want to" and as far as my idea's go, well I do not see you paying my bills or building it for me, So there!I think its neat.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
jktrains wrote:Think about it, if it did, why would hardware stores and home centers like Home Depot and Lowe's be able to sell electrical boxes, light switches and wall outlets? Do they only sell them to licensed electrical contractors? NO - they sell them to the do it yourselfer so they can do exactly what's been suggested, move an outlet or a switch.
Yea right , good argument.......not.
Thats like saying buying a HO loco makes you an engineer.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Geared Steam wrote: jktrains wrote:Think about it, if it did, why would hardware stores and home centers like Home Depot and Lowe's be able to sell electrical boxes, light switches and wall outlets? Do they only sell them to licensed electrical contractors? NO - they sell them to the do it yourselfer so they can do exactly what's been suggested, move an outlet or a switch. Yea right , good argument.......not.Thats like saying buying a HO loco makes you an engineer.
Another witty response from Geared Steam. As was pointed out in another reply, the National Electrical Code allows a homeowner to do exactly the type of work discussed - moving an electrical switch. Then based on your logic those electrical components should only be sold to a licensed electrician and not to the average person. The argument and point is valid.
So, let's get this straight. Someone makes a posting, says "Hey everybody look what I did" and everyone's simply supposed to say nothing but "wow what a great job" or "neat idea," instead of actually offering some advice and maybe pointing out something the poster overlooked, you should remain silent. Nice attitude to have, very helpful too. Then this isn't a forum, its simply a bulletin board.
Interesting that the OP hasn't said he's offend by the comments.
KingConrail76 wrote: Nick,Neat. Thanks for sharing your idea. Personally, I do think it is clever.With 2,000+some posts, I'm sure you were prepared for the barage of suggestions for change and unsolicited assults you've received, but regardless, it's a pitty that some people can't heed the "If you've got nothing good to say..." adage.As for those that worry about "dirt", OK...I get your point on "body oils", but for God's sake...if you're that dirty that you leave hand prints on the walls when you turn on a light....WASH!!!....GET A SHOWER....something...
So this should become simply a place to get attaboys.
Well, King - what should he do after working on the layout and his hands are dirty?
Another witty response from Geared Steam.
I'm not sure what this means, I guess its your attempt to make me out to be you, which would be a condensending and quite judgemental member of this community, and self appointed authority and critic of this community.
Then based on your logic those electrical components should only be sold to a licensed electrician and not to the average person.
Please point out where I made that statement, putting words into my mouth won't fly. With any home improvement, its is left to local ordinances to determine who can do what to your home.
Although I do appreciate some of the work you do, it does not give you license to attack other people the way you do. Your response could have been much more tactful, but as many of your posts reflect, you would rather browbeat under the pretense of trying to make people better modelers.
I guess you can throw a tantum again and start new thread about home improvement and layout room rules.
Have fun
jktrains, my problem is your choose of words. You could have simple said that you would think the area would get dirty and or something may get broken. It was nothing more then the way you went about stating you commit.
As for the OP he will commit in do time I'm sure.
jktrains wrote: KingConrail76 wrote: Nick,Neat. Thanks for sharing your idea. Personally, I do think it is clever.With 2,000+some posts, I'm sure you were prepared for the barage of suggestions for change and unsolicited assults you've received, but regardless, it's a pitty that some people can't heed the "If you've got nothing good to say..." adage.As for those that worry about "dirt", OK...I get your point on "body oils", but for God's sake...if you're that dirty that you leave hand prints on the walls when you turn on a light....WASH!!!....GET A SHOWER....something...So this should become simply a place to get attaboys.Well, King - what should he do after working on the layout and his hands are dirty?
I dunno......maybe WASH THEM...
Just to be clear, I never singled YOU out when I commented about the remarks made about "dirt", as you were not the only one MAKING those comments. Apperantly, however, YOU'VE chosen to come at me with your guilty rage. Wrong move.
The switch is obviously going to be installed and used for at least a few years, so yes, dirt, body oils (which, BTW, accumulate on the skin within hours of washing, even if you do nothing), soap residue, etc, will quickly be transferred to the switch, especially if it's the room light control. He'll need to install a hand washing sink in the room to accomplish what you suggest. And if you think your hands will be clean all the time, you've obviously never built a layout.
The other problem is he'll have to change the switch anyway. That cream colored switch will stand out like a sore thumb, and need to be changed for a darker color.
To the "good things to say" statement, when someone posts a proposal like this, they expect comments, both good and bad, usually to help them see potential problems they may not have thought of. The idea of a forum is exchange of ideas, not just "attaboys."
I can't believe how this tread has deteriorated into a "mud slinging" contest (and not on the switch) over something as simple as a 15 minute job of moving a light switch up a few inches.
If you're afraid of any local code violations or just don't care to move it, then by all means leave it to be poking out a window of the building.
Umm...like...wow...such nastiness. Of all my threads, I think this one has been the worst, "mud slinging" wise.
I do appreciate the constructive comments about moving the switch. However, moving it up in the stud bay is not an option, as it is already at the top of the allowable code height. As my wire fishing skills aren't that good, moving to another stud bay is out as well.
bogp40's suggestion of using a wireless remote switch is an interesting one. My other option is of course to do nothing to hide the switch, but I don't really like it:
I think this is a much better look:
So please keep it civil and keep constructive comments and suggestions coming.
I guess it all depends on what you like and dislike. It also depends on who is going to be throwing the switch. I had one that was high up in the sky and pained the same color blue as my sky. I was the only one operating it until one other fellow saw me turn it on, then he got to it with his dirty hands.
There is another choice. You could bring you building out about an inch, close up or glass in the window. Then run a wire up from the switch handle to the roof of the building. You could either put a small loop in the wire and leave it, or cover it with a roof-top A/C unit or something. At any rate, you might want to make a rule that NO ONE turns the light on and off except you.
Use a "bendy" straw , paint it what ever color you want, glue it to the switch to look like an exhaust pipe like Chuck suggested. Maybe 3 minutes of work and you'll most likely be the only one that knows it's there.
Why make it harder than it is? Geez, guys!
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
- Harry
I've been trying to ignore this love fest for several days now, but I just hate to be left out.
Replace the light switch with a radio remote, then put something in front of it but not attached to the wall. I have them in all my rooms that have ceiling fans. They are almost flush with the wall.
OR ... Replace the switch with one of the rocker or push button switches. They, too are almost flush, though you would not be able to cover it.
OR ... Use the system you have chosen with the switch sticking through the window. To comply with code, you might have to make the building it is sticking through into a switch plate. That shouldn't be too hard.
OR ... Make a small piece that looks like a window air conditioner and glue it to the switch.
OR ... Turn the switch on and leave it on, put a building in front of it and add another switch somewhere else in the room.
Personally, I would just replace it with a black or dark brown switch and otherwise do just what you originally suggested.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
nb:
Here's an idea - don't conceal the switch. Build a light-switch factory next to it, build a frame on the wall around it, and add some wording like "DON'T BE TURNED OFF - USE MONOCO SWITCHES", or something like it, converting the switch into a giant advertising sign.