Rewire Dept 56 Carousel 3 button Switchbox

If you can get the switchbox apart, try jumpering each switch contacts together then apply power.  Or more simply, hold all buttons down and have someone switch the power on and see what does/not happen.  If everything starts then you could just wire nut together each switch wire pair.  Or run each pair to on/off switches.

Of course if these are real momentary "doorbell style" pushbutton contacts, things may not start until AFTER the button is released rather than when pushed in and held down. 

Can't hurt to experiment.

The switch box can't be that complicated, I guess it's just a matter of figuring out what you need.  A relay with a diode and a large cap will give you a delayed button release if you need to push a button and release it.

I tried as you suggested and everything turned on when I simutaniously pressed all three buttons so I cut the wire bundle and twisted all 4 wires together. Nothing happened. The 4 wires are connected to a circutboard inside the switchbox. The black wire is connected to all 3 button switches that click on/off when pressed. The yellow wire turns everything on/off and needs to be on in order for the other 2 functions to work. Red wire turns on the motion and the white turns on the music (either the motion or music doesn't need to be on for the other to work). But, each time I turn off (unplug) the main power adaptor, I have to click the on/off switch again. I don't understand why nothing comes on when I twist all 4 wire together. By the way, the plug-in power adaptor is AC. Any ideas?

I'd try to actually figure out what the circuit board in there is doing.  Obviously, if they felt the need for a circuit board, there may be more to it than just twisting all the wires together.

I think the suggested test is to hold the 3 buttons down BEFORE applying power.  That simulates the twisted wires.  If you press all 3 buttons after power is applied, that is a completely different case.

I'm thinking there is a sequence.  The yellow wire probably has to come on first, then the other two after the yellow one has powered it up. 

This is just a guess, but it seems clear there is some sequence to the turn-on.

Interesting! I pressed all 3 buttons at same time then turned power (carousel adaptor) on, and nothing worked just like when I twisted the wires together. Then with power on I pressed all 3 buttons at same time and everything turned on...So, what does this all mean? How do I get everything to come on when I turn the carousel adaptor on without having to run to the other side of my layout and press the 3 buttons when I turn the carousel adaptor on? Any more ideas?  

Like I said, try turning on the power with one pushed, then pushing the other two right after that.  I suspect there's a sequence that will work, then the task is to come up with something to simulate that sequence of button pushes.

This could be as simple as delaying the button pushes for all of them after power is applied.

1. What is the AC voltage coming out of the adapter?

So it appears you can activate the unit pressing all 3 buttons simultaneously but after applying main power.  Here's my suggested test.  Tie together yellow-red-white but leave black separate.  Turn on main power.

2. Can you instantly touch black to the other 3 to start it or must you wait several seconds after applying main power? 

3. If it starts, can you leave black connected to the three with no ill effect - or must you disconnect black from the other three (like releasing the pushbuttons)?

I'm putting the cart before the horse and pre-supposing the solution is a relay with a few components to emulate the switch presses some short time after main power is applied.  But it sure seems the manufacturer would have thought of the application of starting up when power is applied.

Now, that's funny!   I'll bet you could say that a lot about some of this stuff.  However, I suspect the manufacturer didn't give it a thought.

I agree it’s unlikely in this case, but many consumer widgets have “demo” modes for store displays that start working when power is applied. A circuit board jumper puts the unit into the mode – though these days most are enabled using software or a “secret” button sequence. A sticker might say “display unit only” or “not for retail sale” or whatever.  You’re right though, it’s not the manufacturer who “thinks” of this; it’s the distributors/store-buyers who request this feature from manufacturers to help sell it.

Meanwhile, back at the nerd ranch, I don’t expect we’re going to find out but I’d guess the 3 switches are low-current momentary contacts to common with internal pullups in a low-voltage chip. In which case a 5 cent NPN transistor can emulate the switches making a delay activator, if needed, under $1 in parts – no need for an industrial grade timer module with 120V/10A relay contacts!  So close, yet so far…

....or you could splice in a couple dozen feet of light gauge 4-conductor wire (or whatever number of conductors it is) between carousel and switch and mount it in a convenient spot by your controls.

Besides there may be times when you'd like to kill the sound only when it starts to drive you nuts like some other animated accessories I know.  

Jim

Jim - It sounds like Stan could figure out the required electronic parts needed if he had it in his hands, but what he suggests is a little complicated for my expertice. I did think of your suggestion for extending the wires to place the switchbox by my command center, but wanted to get some of you folks input. So, unless someone comes up with a simple non geek solution, I'll probably go for the extension wires.

Thanks,

Tom

If you could measure the DC voltage across the open pushbutton contacts, we might be able to come up with a resistor/capacitor delay circuit.

I figure a DC relay and a big honkin' cap should do the trick.

Gee Wiz, You got me there. I wouldn't know where to begin. Is this something you could draw up or diagram for me with list of the required parts to get?

I'm sure that Dale or I could do it if we had it in our hands, it's doing it by remote control that's complicated.