(image Photoshopped by me)
Does something like this exist? If so, where can I get one? If not, why not?
Mitch
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Mitch, Race to the patent office!
@lpb007 posted:Mitch, Race to the patent office!
I should, shouldn't I? 
They make a power plug lock. Would that work?
https://www.amazon.com/Roride-...639995612&sr=8-5
Or, for that little hole at the blade end of the plug - slip a small luggage padlock through the hole?
Bill
Safety 1st Power Strip Cover
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000...oding=UTF8&psc=1
maybe something like this?
Also try 'rocker switch LOTO'
Master Lock 496B Universal Wall Switch Lockout https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0019...oding=UTF8&psc=1
@timetraveller posted:They make a power plug lock. Would that work?
https://www.amazon.com/Roride-...639995612&sr=8-5
Or, for that little hole at the blade end of the plug - slip a small luggage padlock through the hole?
Heh. Well, that is the general idea, but what I want to do is be able to quickly lock down the power going to the museum layout when I'm not there and quickly bring it back up when I am.
Yesterday, I came back from getting the last Santa train of the season boarded to find some youngster had firewalled the throttles, crashed the trains and the whole room stank of burning insulation.
At the time, I thought they'd managed somehow to burn out the A handle on the ZW, as that track wasn't working, but now I think they burned the undertable wiring as the ZW tests OK on the bench.
Not an utter disaster, as I'm planning to rewire the layout anyhow during our annual shutdown, but I'd like to prevent future occurrences... 
You may want to look into something like this 1221-2KL and have it wired to an outlet:
Also, you probably want to look into AirPax Instant Breakers for your train setup...
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@SteamWolf posted:Safety 1st Power Strip Cover
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000...oding=UTF8&psc=1
maybe something like this?
Good concept, but not quick enough for my application.
Also try 'rocker switch LOTO'
Master Lock 496B Universal Wall Switch Lockout https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0019...oding=UTF8&psc=1
Hum! Something like this to lock over the strip switch might work...
Can’t you kill the power at the breaker panel? That should be in a locked utility closet, no?
@bmoran4 posted:You may want to look into something like this 1221-2KL and have it wired to an outlet:
H'm. I could mount that in a plastic junction box and wire it into a power strip cord...
Also, you probably want to look into AirPax Instant Breakers for your train setup...
Yeah, I had planned to do that originally, but COVID got in the way...
Mitch
@Mark V. Spadaro posted:Can’t you kill the power at the breaker panel? That should be in a locked utility closet, no?
In another room at the other end of the museum, and it kills power to the other displays, which I want to keep running...
Not fool/kid proof, but you could try a plug-in wireless remote. Plug the power strip into one of the receptacles, the receptacle into the wall socket. When you leave, hit the off button. Of course, someone could find the wall socket and plug the power strip directly into a live socket 
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:
(image Photoshopped by me)
Does something like this exist? If so, where can I get one? If not, why not?
Mitch
Looks like you need to start a new business I'd buy one.
Mark
Thank a Vet over Christmas
It is better to lock the end of the plug on the transformer rather than the power strip. They can easily unplug the transformer from the locked power strip and use an extension cord to over-ride your lock. But, if you lock the output of the actual transformer (like shown on the Amazon link above) they will be out of luck.
Not a power strip but...https://www.amazon.com/VoltBolt-Power-Plug-Lock-Out-Different/dp/B002P6FQR4
The problem with a key lock at the museum happens when you are not there. how does someone else run/monitor the trains. A combination lock can solve the problem. Keys can be good for a single user.
@Apples55 posted:Not fool/kid proof, but you could try a plug-in wireless remote. Plug the power strip into one of the receptacles, the receptacle into the wall socket. When you leave, hit the off button. Of course, someone could find the wall socket and plug the power strip directly into a live socket
Clever, but complicated. I'd rather a simple key than a remote that can go wrong.
@Sitka posted:Looks like you need to start a new business I'd buy one.
Well, that's two customers so far...
@BenLMaggi posted:It is better to lock the end of the plug on the transformer rather than the power strip. They can easily unplug the transformer from the locked power strip and use an extension cord to over-ride your lock. But, if you lock the output of the actual transformer (like shown on the Amazon link above) they will be out of luck.
A good solution if the system is going to be powered down for a few days, but for quick on-off, not so much.
@RogerC posted:Not a power strip but...https://www.amazon.com/VoltBolt-Power-Plug-Lock-Out-Different/dp/B002P6FQR4
That is clever! And the best suggestion yet!
@gftiv posted:The problem with a key lock at the museum happens when you are not there. how does someone else run/monitor the trains.
Quick answer: They don't. I don't want them running the trains if I'm not on the premises.
A combination lock can solve the problem. Keys can be good for a single user.
Or multiple keys for multiple users...
Mitch
I should probably add some parameters:
1) I want to mount the key on the wall, for easy and fast access. I sometimes have to go from supervising the layout to helping load passengers in literally seconds, so unplugging and locking and plugging isn't an option.
2) We don't necessarily have the budget for extensive electrical work such as hardwiring in a key for the outlet. This is why I'd like something like in the original post. That could be fastened to the wall for easy and fast access.
Mitch
@Apples55 posted:Not fool/kid proof, but you could try a plug-in wireless remote. Plug the power strip into one of the receptacles, the receptacle into the wall socket. When you leave, hit the off button.
That's what I have (or very similar) for the power to both of my layouts (larger one and all-tinplate pike). I normally don't have to worry about anyone fussing with things here, but when the 2-year-old and 4-year-old grandsons are with us (which is frequently), there's no point in taking any chances. Especially true since 4-yr-old Luke is quite familiar with the DCS remotes.
We use these to remotely power AV systems, you will also need a remote controlled power sequencer to go with it:
https://furmanpower.com/produc...ystem-control-panel/
https://furmanpower.com/produc...series-15a-miniport/
There are some used Furman PS-8R sequencers on the 'bay.
This reminds me to go to Home Depot and get a new wall power strip remote in the christmas light department
