Menards Power & Light problem(s)

Bob from Kansas posted:

 

Purchased a Power & Light building from our local store on Monday, and about 30 seconds after powering it up both the sign over the door and the side sign ceased lighting.  The other lights continued to function normally.

Realizing such things do happen I exchanged it today and on this one there is only 1 winking & blinking pattern, which is essentially a solid on.  Pressing the button accomplishes zippo, nor does power cycling accomplish anything.  And as before the other lights on the unit function as they should.

 

Bob

 

 

Bob,

I am curious as to the voltage of the adapter you are using. Our buildings are designed to run specifically with a 4.5 volt adapter. Using too much power can fry the electrical. In the past, Guests have inquired about using transformer power to light our buildings and that is definitely not a good idea.

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark,

I'm using the 3 tailed 4.5 Volt model...SKU 289-4006.  Purchased the 3 tail unit as I'm planning on adding several more of your buildings in that particular area.

And thanks for putting one of your stores in Lawrence....what a breath of fresh air in the world of retail the facility is to our city.

Bob

Bob,

I would suggest exchanging it one more time. I really don't have an explanation for you because we have not experienced this issue before but keep me updated and we will find a solution one way or another. Thanks for your patience!

-Mark the Menards Train Guy

I recently purchased the Menards Power and Light building.  I purchased it on line (Ebay), and was listed as "New".  I question if is is "New" and don't want to give the seller a bad rap, however upon hooking it up to the 3 way Menards adapter( 3 tailed 4.5 Volt model...SKU 289-4006) (sold through Menards) all lights up, but the signs are just on.  Push the button and they go dark.  Reset and they just light.  Has anyone experienced this problem and what is the fix.  I am somewhat inclined to do electrical fixes, or perhaps exchange a board.  Any ideas here?  Thanks,  "bewildered"  (I really don't want to send it back).  Does a manual come with it?  I did not get any kind of manual or instruction. 

No manuals with any of my Menards buildings.

And if you check your Menards adapter you will likely find it puts out way above the required 4.5 V.

A lot of issues with these adapters........search the forum here for additional info.........

Hmmm.  I will check to see what my adapter is putting out?

Soo Line posted:

No manuals with any of my Menards buildings.

And if you check your Menards adapter you will likely find it puts out way above the required 4.5 V.

A lot of issues with these adapters........search the forum here for additional info.........

Not necessarily. Older power adapters were fine. It was the adapters in stores from an apparent 2016 production that exhibited the voltage excess problem. Menards said new ones were on the way this month.

So if you bought the adapter in the store late last year, you may have a bad one.

However, regardless, the problem your building is exhibiting isn't likely related to the problems reported here due to excess voltage, which essentially fried the circuitry and left buildings permanently dark.

Normally, Menards would help you out, but I'm not sure if they would treat an eBay sale with the same level of customer service. You could try emailing Menards at guest@menard-inc.com

Hi All,

  A first time poster  I too seem to have had bad luck with Menards building.  I got a Milwaukee Road engine house 2 years ago for Christmas.  I tested it at the time and the lights worked fine.  It sat on the layout for two years while we built mountains and track.  I wired it in today using a 4.5 volt 3 legged adapter and it was dead no lights.  I also wired in the Red Owl Grocery Store.....lights good no fans  I can't blame the cats, to lazy n fat to climb up and mess with them.  I also cannot find any installation manuals online.  Might be me though....HELP??

Patrick  

Maybe not the same thing. I tried hooking three buildings to that plug and lights on all three were flickering badly. Took one building off and the other two worked fine after that.....Paul 2