Disappearing Light Switch

[mononguy63]

As it happens, the main light switch from my layout room, is on the wall behind Lampson Yard. 

Oh, I get it! The LIGHT SWITCH is behind "Lamps On" yard! Har!

[mobilman44]

Hi,

As others have mentioned, paint the switch/toggle to blend in with the background building.  That's an easy fix and probably as good as anything else. 

That reminds me of when I began layout construction in a large spare bedroom, which has one long horizontal window (above layout level).  I picked up a custom set of sky blue metal mini blinds, and painted the window frame a similar blue with clouds, etc that blended into the walls backdrop.  It wasn't cheap, but its been there doing a fine job for 15 years!

ENJOY,

Mobilman44  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The most obvious way to keep it from standing out so much is to simply paint the switch and switch plate to match the backdrop. Quick and easy.

[Johnnny_reb]

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. 

Now thats thinking.

[HarryHotspur]

Paint a face on the switch and paint a dress too, and put some fake flames comming out the window and it will look like the towering inferno in HO scale!!!  Maybe some firemen with one of those trampaline looking things down below.  Come on guys, lets get the creative juices flowing!

This thread needed some sillyness!

Bob

vw:

Silly? You want silly?

Make a Green Giant billboard out of it.  Paint the top half of the Jolly Green Giant on the top half of the light switch.  Paint the bottom half of the Jolly Green Giant on the bottom half of the light switch.  And...

 

And be sure to put a raincoat on the Jolly Green Giant. 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Oh boy, things ARE getting silly now.

[Autobus Prime]

Paint a face on the switch and paint a dress too, and put some fake flames comming out the window and it will look like the towering inferno in HO scale!!!  Maybe some firemen with one of those trampaline looking things down below.  Come on guys, lets get the creative juices flowing!

This thread needed some sillyness!

Bob

vw:

Silly? You want silly?

Make a Green Giant billboard out of it.  Paint the top half of the Jolly Green Giant on the top half of the light switch.  Paint the bottom half of the Jolly Green Giant on the bottom half of the light switch.  And...

 

[Anonymous]

Paint a face on the switch and paint a dress too, and put some fake flames comming out the window and it will look like the towering inferno in HO scale!!!  Maybe some firemen with one of those trampaline looking things down below.  Come on guys, lets get the creative juices flowing!

This thread needed some sillyness!

Bob

[HarryHotspur]

Build a billboard sign around the lightswitch advertizing a circus. Buy a toy elephant and cut the trunk off. Glue the elephant's trunk over the swith handle, and voila! - a complete disguise with a 3D billboard.

P.S.  Don't forget to paint the rest of the elephant on the sign.

[BigG]

  What a neat idea to use the thing as advertisement! If you cannot stop something from happening, make it a sales feature!

   Another alternative: bore a small hole in the sw handle and connect it to an automotive choke cable that can be reached somewhere else; or..  just replace the sw or its light with a motion-sensitive one.

[donhalshanks]

Great idea Autobus Prime!  I really like that one.  Almost makes me wish I had a switch in my backdrop so I could try it.

Hal 

 

[Phoebe Vet]

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. 

 

See?  If you ask enough people, SOMEONE will be an outside the box thinker and will have the perfect simple solution.

[Autobus Prime]

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. 

 

[Phoebe Vet]

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.

[HarryHotspur]

Weathering the switch and plate would help a lot, and should be quick and easy.

[saronaterry]

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

[gandydancer19]

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.

Elmer.

[nbrodar]

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.

Nick

[secondhandmodeler]

I would leave the switch right where it is.  I don't think you will ruin the model in front of it by using the switch.  It's not like it's a scratch built masterpiece.  In terms of creating an illusion, I think the it will be well hidden with your trickery.  If you move the switch up, then you have a light switch right in the middle of your scene.  I think you've come up with a creative solution.  Moving the switch would be easy enough, but leaving it where it is will be easier!

[bogp40]

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.

[TomDiehl]

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...

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."

[KingConrail76]

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.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Even though I was an apprentice to an professional electrician and am competent in the field doesn't mean I tackle all my electrical projects on my own. Because I live in a rural area I was able to rewire my home myself without an inspection being done, save for the service (breaker) box. The electric company requires that a licensed electrician, which I'm not, looks it over to make sure the correct size breakers were used and the connections are up to code. If I was building a new home all the work would have to be inspected. A few miles away, within the city limits, someone wanting to rewire their home, even if they have the training, can't do it. It must all be done by a licensed electrician and a construction contractor must be on hand to do any destruction/construction work required to get this done. As far as replacing a plug socket, light fixture or light switch is concerned, these can be done by the home owner. When it comes to lengthening or shortening wire(s), running new wire, installing new outlets/switches it's a whole new ball game. The home owner/leaser/renter can be brought up on charges and fined for violating city ordinance. In one of the towns near me it's required to get a permit for ANY electrical/gas/plumbing work to be done, other than the replacement of existing fixtures. The ordinances change from city to city and from state to state. I'm glad I don't have to go through all those hoops.

[Johnnny_reb]

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.

[Geared Steam]

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

 

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

He can do what I do when working with messy things, wear disposable glove. They can be found in the first aid supplies of most department stores and drug stores and don't cost much.

[jktrains]

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? 

[jktrains]

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.

[Geared Steam]

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.