A great model. Kudos to Meynards!
Thank you very much for the post. I also was not aware of this release. I ordered one today along with the free truck deal. I noticed on Ebay they are selling way above Menards list price and without the free truck. Given how nice this structure is I am sure it will sell out fast.
FYI.....
my missing Santa Fe delivery truck came today. Very nice little truck....a great bonus!!!!
But better was the super services by Menard's customer service folks. A great deal all around!! thx
PS...no one has talked about how the truck cab tilts forward like the real truck!!!!!
PPS.....nice little printed train catalog too!!!
Dustin tipped me off to this building. Very impressive and it's design lends itself to a loads in/empties out operation if placed against a backdrop with a coal mine on the other side. I think I'm going to get one even though I have no place to put it...yet.
Hi Matt, IMO Everyone should get one of the Power and Light buildings! They are great looking and I bet can be made to fit on any layout in any location! Chudos to Menard's!
Ok. I got one and it's quite nice overall. The lighting system is pretty much worth the money. Out of the box, I have one building LED light out which looks prototypical actually. So I probably won't fix it right away...until OCD takes over. It's probably reverse connected or something.
Also I had to glue the side mirror back on the free truck.
But I like it. Good deal. Nice detail and safe shipping.
What is the footprint of this building please?
Michael, Here you go. this should answer your questions.
AMCDave posted:FYI.....
my missing Santa Fe delivery truck came today. Very nice little truck....a great bonus!!!!
But better was the super services by Menard's customer service folks. A great deal all around!! thx
PS...no one has talked about how the truck cab tilts forward like the real truck!!!!!
PPS.....nice little printed train catalog too!!!
I didn't know about the truck cab tilting forward.. Thanks !!
I didn't know that either, great! I'm picturing a repair shop next to my terminal now!
Be extra careful when removing bottom base as the floodlights on the building sides can easily come off. Just lay on its super carefully or have superglue ready. Chris
Is there any way to lock the big sign into a particular flash mode that will survive power-down? I want to put my unit in a remote location on the layout where I can't reach it, and I would like one of the 2-phase patterns rather that the start-up default of just "ON".
I had yet to light my power plant....I had a bunch of power supplies with 4.5 output so I did not order one. But I did have to order some of the barrel plugs. Got 5 of them for $1 shipped....they came today. The power station lit up really is great...it will be a focal point of my industrial area. thx
I haven't pulled the sign electronics out of the power house, but I wonder if one could at least parallel the switch that is on the pcb and remote the push button.
Dale Manquen posted:Is there any way to lock the big sign into a particular flash mode that will survive power-down? I want to put my unit in a remote location on the layout where I can't reach it, and I would like one of the 2-phase patterns rather that the start-up default of just "ON".
Dale,
I have the same question, and not just for this Menard's Building, for other buildings of theirs as well. I hope someone (Menards?) chimes in.
Alex
I got mine a week ago but haven't really played with it yet. I'll check this weekend if the pattern stays after powering down.
drodder posted:I got mine a week ago but haven't really played with it yet. I'll check this weekend if the pattern stays after powering down.
My sign resets to solid on each time power is cut. Make switch accessible or move switch if you want to use other light pattern.
If building is out of reach.....use a dowel to cycle button for sign.....
Mine is also inaccessible. The button is inside the building with no easy access for soldering wires.
A brute-force method would be to mount a small solenoid on the outside (concealed by a shed, perhaps) with a capacitor in series with the coil so that it only operates once on powerup. I don't think I have any solenoids rated at 4.5V, but maybe a 12V would have enough oomph to push the button.
My powerhouse button is on the outside surface but part of a pcb on the inside. I think I might pull it and see if it's remote able.
HELP....
Question on the 4.5V 2000mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adapter Model Number: EL4006WH | Menards® SKU: 2894006. Menards site shows it as an 8.8’ extension. Will someone, who has one, please measure it and tell the measurement between the point where the extensions branch out from the main wiring and the plug that goes into the buildings. In other words, how far apart can the buildings be to use the three outlets in a practical manner? Thanks in advance.
Doh!!! KISS! Jamming the button ON will give - flag first, then text. That works for me!
I looked under it and it would be a chore to remote the button. Jamming sounds expedient and a good solution.
My one building light is out because there's no led in the hole. Too hard to get to it so it remains prototypical with a bulb out.
SURFLINER posted:HELP....
Question on the 4.5V 2000mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adapter Model Number: EL4006WH | Menards® SKU: 2894006. Menards site shows it as an 8.8’ extension. Will someone, who has one, please measure it and tell the measurement between the point where the extensions branch out from the main wiring and the plug that goes into the buildings. In other words, how far apart can the buildings be to use the three outlets in a practical manner? Thanks in advance.
SURFLINER,
Each extension is about 30" from the branch. I hope that helps!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
I posted this tip on the wrong thread:
The pushbutton has two sets of redundant parallel leads. The bottom pair go into the circuit board, but the top pair just stick out into open space. I used a dental probe to twist the upper leads sideways so that they touch, thus permanently closing the switch. It isn't very secure or elegant, but it does the job. Trying to get a soldering iron into that cramped space was more than I wanted to risk.
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Hmmm...a challenge though!
Yes.
You get 10 in a package for $2.59
Thank you Mark and Menards. With new construction going on I was having a power drain so I got the Menards power plant up and running supplying me with free power for the time being LOL...........Paul.
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Menards posted:SURFLINER posted:HELP....
Question on the 4.5V 2000mA White 3-Outlet AC to DC Power Adapter Model Number: EL4006WH | Menards® SKU: 2894006. Menards site shows it as an 8.8’ extension. Will someone, who has one, please measure it and tell the measurement between the point where the extensions branch out from the main wiring and the plug that goes into the buildings. In other words, how far apart can the buildings be to use the three outlets in a practical manner? Thanks in advance.
SURFLINER,
Each extension is about 30" from the branch. I hope that helps!
-Mark the Menards Train Guy
Mark,
Thanks for answering - you solved my problem - now I'll await two more of your buildings that fit my needs.
SUELINER
Bill_R posted:In responce to responce to surfliners question, try these 5.5 mm adapters then you can run then as far apart as you want
Bill.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my post. Using the adapters will allow me even greater flexability in the placement of Menard's buildings.
SURFLINER
Just got my power plant. Wow! It is really well built. My only issue is finding a place on the layout for the power plant. It is pretty large. I may have to post pics to get some ideas.
Mark,
Now I'm going to purchase a power plant myself.
Don't let the right hand know what the left hand is doing here !
That was great !
Good luck, John
jjmmagoo posted:
Just got my power plant. Wow! It is really well built. My only issue is finding a place on the layout for the power plant. It is pretty large. I may have to post pics to get some ideas.
Well, it's all setup. Let's start off and say at least in my humble opinion this is a top notch model replica of a power plant. It's heavy and has 22 led lights on the building alone! When it's on it lights up the room. The size is impressive as well. I only have a 4x8 layout with a desire to expand but the planning and doing is taking longer than expected. Anyways the model fits snugly on my layout. It's not too over the top and certainly not small. I have to say I am impressed with this. I have been looking for a power plant for a long time. The only thing I wished for is possibly aviation warning lights on the smoke stacks and possibly the ability to have smoke come out of said stacks but I am one happy camper.
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Power plant looks fantastic there! Layout looks great also! Thanks for sharing!
Mine only has 21 lights, one hole is empty but it's kind of prototypical...one lamp needing replacement, eh?
Super!
You guys just cost me $89.99!
quit griping , you got a Kubota, on a flat in the deal !!!!!!!!!!!! FREE!
I already went thru , the same, PAIN< mine is in the Den floor waiting !!!!!!!
