Logistics, The Figures Updated August 31st, 2015
I thought I would tell you about my Napoleonic shadowbox. As you can see below, I am starting to do the repairs.
Two problems.
1) I thought a transformer had burned out.
2) it suffered some damage during the move.
Well, a transformer did burn out but it was due to a short in the wiring. I went down this morning and started the long process of checking the transformers, (There are three of them), the wiring and the connections. When i built this back in 1999, my local RR shop had this new product that was being touted as sensational. It was a tape that adhered to most any surface and sandwiched in-between it contained two copper cores which acted as wires. You run the tape around the outside in several key locations and then it had these little pins you connected to the wires coming off the miniature lights and push them through the tape and Viola! You're connected.
Well, about a couple of years ago, I flipped the switch on the shadowbox and nothing happened except the blinking red/orange lights in the fireplace worked. At the time, I assumed that I had blown two of the three transformers. At the time, I was really busy with other matters, so, I decided to wait to fix it. Then, we moved and when I brought the shadowbox downstairs to install it, (I planned to replace the transformers at that time), I noticed quite a lot of damage.
I first repaired all the damage and made it look like new. Then I started looking for damage in the wiring. Bingo! There were three locations where the fantastic "Tape" was blackened by shorting out, one even charring. Seriously, it could have easily started a fire, in fact, I'm surprised it didn't! I ripped out all that wonderful tape, went to a local train shop, bought some 12 - 20 Volt wiring, and, tomorrow, I will rewire the entire diorama. I checked all the miniature lights and they are working. So, as soon as I get it wired, it will be ready to go.
My plan is to install it on the staircase wall, just before you get to the entrance door. There is a closet behind that wall where I can mount it on a platform push it through and then mount the picture frame. It will then look like a normal painting, but when the lights go on, it will be 3-D! I will connect the wiring to the light switch that operates half the lighting in the museum. I think it will have a really nice effect.
Bob
glad your doing well an' being so much older than me (two years). I feel like there's hope for me, even now :drinks
