Powering Wood Tavern from Menards

The building is not a 1.5V building. It requires a 4.5Volt DC transformer to operate the lights.

These can be purchased from Radio Shack and other similar stores.

Lowes and Michaels usually have 4.5 VDC power transformers like these for sale during their Halloween and Christmas displays and they should work on this building.

As info the building has two tiny switches installed to turn on and off the lights and beer sign.

This 4.5VDC power source is also available from Menards:

4.5 Volt 3 Outlet Power Adaptor

$7.99

Add to Cart

Mark

Mark

Thanks for the reply.  And you are correct it is 4.5vDC.  However, I was wondering if I could use a full wave bridge rectifier to convert to DC and are there any means to attach the 2 conductors to the structure.  Also, can the Miller Engineering 4804 - Converter module be used as it outputs 4.5vDC?  Will probably need to modify the "input" receptacle to accommodate the 2 conductors coming from the "Converter". 

 Any thoughts?

Again thanks

Anthony,  there are a variety of ways to attain the 4.5 VDC including a rectifier to convert AC to DC.

The question is...why would you want to do that.

The building has an unobtrusive port next to the on-off switches on the rear of the building at the bottom.

A simple 4.5VDC plug-in transformer does the job as designed.

To do what you want would still require the female plug that attaches to the building and then connect to some sort of power source.

Or open up the building to access the wires inside.

Again...why?

My recommendation...use the wall wart.

Keep it simple!

Mark

Mark

Good question.  One issue is that I would have to run a long extension cord under the layout.  The layout is 10 x 40 with the town in the center of the layout.  Also, I would have to have the cord on a switch control receptacle or into a power strip. Although no big deal, I am not comfortable with extension cords running under the table.   As I have the Miller Converter with 2 unused ports, I can wire it to the building or use the female connector with the attached wires from an older wall wart.  Just need to ensure polarity. 

Again really do appreciate your comments

You can get the correct size barrel connectors at Radio Shack. You are correct on the polarity, center pin + or -?

Anthony, You can keep the wallwart close to your control panel and on/off switch; then just extend the 4.5v leads to the building. I am also considering the options for powering this building. The magazine ads had no mention of needing a separately purchased power pack. I was considering those power packs from the Christmas building displays; but wanted to check on the voltage.

Another question on Menard buildings is their power source for the mercantile and door factory buildings. Menard's CS wrote that those buildings are wired directly and will not need a power pack.

Bob, you're right about the power source for the other buildings.

Since the tavern appears to be a Bar Mills building and not a Woodland Scenics product I guess that's why they are powered differently.

The Menard's webpage for the Department store shows:

• Dimmable, amber-colored overhead light
• Includes 2 white LED interior lights, a printed office interior and window treatments
• Hand painted and beautifully weathered
• Leaded with authentic, architectural details
• Preassembled and ready for display
• O scale building
• 16-20V direct wire connection
• Sequentially numbered from 1 to 1,200

Mark,

Thanks for the clarification. I mistakenly thought that they were all Woodland Scenics.

I am not familiar with Bar Mills structures.

This is the first wood building that I have owned.  I was amazed when I unpacked it; it is truly awesome. I placed on my unfinished layout on Tuesday before my Tuesday Night Train brothers arrived. It was an immediate hit and the topic of conversation through the evening. I would have liked to have it lit but that will be another night.

Can anyone please confirm the size of the barrel jack adapter on this structure?

Is it 4mm or 5.5mm?

Another forum member posted that the Menards adapter 4.5v adapter actually puts out ~9v DC without any load.  That seems to suggest the Menards adapter is 'unregulated' (I think?).

So I'm looking at converting or using a different wall wart adapter that is 'regulated' to 4.5v 500ma to power this building plus two other Miller engineering signs.

Thanks,

Robert

I tried the AC transformer that I was told to us and that did nothing for the sign except make it flash like a worn out neon sign.  Then I did the DC transformer and the sign did work but not well.  Finally I decided to use the computer transformer that powers all my many lights on my layout and the neon sign worked fantastic.  I used the 3 volt wire and the neon sign lights and scrolls from top to bottom like a real neon sign.  There is nothing better than using pure DC regulated voltage for my layout buildings and yes you can get a 600 watt power supply on Craigslist for around $20 here in Michigan.

Most of my old cell phone charger wallwarts I have left over are all 4.5v DC.  Just cut the cord and extend it to where ever you need it to go on the layout.