As it happens, the main light switch from my layout room, is on the wall behind Lampson Yard. I intend to install a number of background buildings here.
I disguise the switch, I made up a flat from some DPM modules, and mounted it so the switch stuck out though one the the windows.
The switch must be fairly close to the entry door to the room. Why not just cut in a new old work box and move it up out of the backdrop. The existing one can be blanked out.
There are also remotes that can be installed, but the cost and replacement is half the way there to just moving it up a foot or so. You may even get lucky and the sw box is fed by one 14-2 Romex (sw leg) dropping down from above. No matter, a simple jumper to the new location is just as easy.
You could also install a black switch and cover plate, black out a few windows around it and hide it completely. It should be fun explaining to visitors that the light switch is in the second window on the left side on the third floor of “such such store”. You could even act like someone in the store has to be told to turn the lights on and off. The kids would love it.
Yeah, great idea! Sorry, I don’t think so. I don’t think I want someone constantly putting their hand in there to turn it on and off. Sounds like an invitation to having things broken, scratched, messed up. Go with the suggestion of moving the switch. Contrary to Chuck’s assertion, it shouldn’t require a permit and a licensed electrician. Think about it, if it did, why would hardware stores and home centers like Home Depot and Lowe’s be able to sell electrical boxes, light switches and wall outlets? Do they only sell them to licensed electrical contractors? NO - they sell them to the do it yourselfer so they can do exactly what’s been suggested, move an outlet or a switch. If you’ve wired up your layout you probably have enough knowledge of electrical circuitry to be able to move the switch up or maybe to the opposite sdie of the wall, if possible, so the switch is outside the room and not inside the room.
You definitely live in the wrong jurisdiction if that is the law there – the National Electrical Code, which most jurisdictions go by on something like this, has no such requirement. The only thing prohibited where I live is major rewiring or new construction involving electrical or plumbing work. DIY minor rewiring requires no permit.
One of those things which varies from place to place, this. Here, straight replacement of receptacles, switches, and light fixtures requires no permit. Anything which involves adding or removing wire theoretically does. The homeowner is allowed to do his own wiring…my own 99% total rewire just got approved.
However, water plumbing of any type is forbidden, and figure this one out…there are absolutely no restrictions or inspections for gas lines.
Some places do forbid all homeowner wiring,and imho end up in the situation we have here with plumbing – people do it anyway, and there’s no chance to inspect it. But the unenforceable law probably pleased somebody’s union-plumber brother, 40 years ago.
Personally, I like the building hiding the switch. Change the color of the plate and switch to black as suggested, However, don’t tell people where it is. I moved a light switch up out of the way once, no problem. Them the room became not my RR room any more and I had to put it back. That was more trouble than moving it in the first place.
Novel, maybe, but a problem, as jktrains pointed out, with people constantly putting their hands on it to turn it on and off. You’re also going to have a problem with dirt from the hands, and body oils deposited there would collect dirt from the air.
Even without details to break off, in a year or two, you’ll have enough dirt collected around this area to make it stand out, which I believe is the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. On my layout, I put the light and outlet switches on the outside of the wall as you go into the train room. If you’re able to move them to such a location, it would probably be a lot better in the long run.
Neat. Thanks for sharing your idea. Personally, I do think it is clever.
With 2,000+some posts, I’m sure you were prepared for the barage of suggestions for change and unsolicited assults you’ve received, but regardless, it’s a pitty that some people can’t heed the “If you’ve got nothing good to say…” adage.
As for those that worry about “dirt”[:-^], OK…I get your point on “body oils”, but for God’s sake…if you’re that dirty that you leave hand prints on the walls when you turn on a light…
Could you put in a sideways switch? Travel is left/right rather than up/down. Then you could reach with a stick (with a small hook?). Pushing and pulling from a side is more controllable that up and down.
As with all posts or open discussions you open yourselves up to what ever anyone wants to say good or bad. I myself am building my Train layout the way “I” want to because “I want to” and as far as my idea’s go, well I do not see you paying my bills or building it for me,
Well said! And I think it’s good as it is also. There’s a light switch in my layout area that’s never used so when it came time to redo the backdrop I just put the backdrop right over it. Unless they knew it was there in the first place nobody notices it.
Another witty response from Geared Steam. As was pointed out in another reply, the National Electrical Code allows a homeowner to do exactly the type of work discussed - moving an electrical switch. Then based on your logic those electrical components should only be sold to a licensed electrician and not to the average person. The argument and point is valid.
So, let’s get this straight. Someone makes a posting, says “Hey everybody look what I did” and everyone’s simply supposed to say nothing but “wow what a great job” or “neat idea,” instead of actually offering some advice and maybe pointing out something the poster overlooked, you should remain silent. Nice attitude to have, very helpful too. Then this isn’t a forum, its simply a bulletin board.
Interesting that the OP hasn’t said he’s offend by the comments.
He can do what I do when working with messy things, wear disposable glove. They can be found in the first aid supplies of most department stores and drug stores and don’t cost much.
I’m not sure what this means, I guess its your attempt to make me out to be you, which would be a condensending and quite judgemental member of this community, and self appointed authority and critic of this community.
Please point out where I made that statement, putting words into my mouth won’t fly. With any home improvement, its is left to local ordinances to determine who can do what to your home.
Although I do appreciate some of the work you do, it does not give you license to attack other people the way you do. Your response could have been much more tactful, but as many of your posts reflect, you would rather browbeat under the pretense of trying to make people better modelers.
I guess you can throw a tantum again and start new thread about home improvement and layout room rules.
jktrains, my problem is your choose of words. You could have simple said that you would think the area would get dirty and or something may get broken. It was nothing more then the way you went about stating you commit.
Even though I was an apprentice to an professional electrician and am competent in the field doesn’t mean I tackle all my electrical projects on my own. Because I live in a rural area I was able to rewire my home myself without an inspection being done, save for the service (breaker) box. The electric company requires that a licensed electrician, which I’m not, looks it over to make sure the correct size breakers were used and the connections are up to code. If I was building a new home all the work would have to be inspected. A few miles away, within the city limits, someone wanting to rewire their home, even if they have the training, can’t do it. It must all be done by a licensed electrician and a construction contractor must be on hand to do any destruction/construction work required to get this done. As far as replacing a plug socket, light fixture or light switch is concerned, these can be done by the home owner. When it comes to lengthening or shortening wire(s), running new wire, installing new outlets/switches it’s a whole new ball game. The home owner/leaser/renter can be brought up on charges and fined for violating city ordinance. In one of the towns near me it’s required to get a permit for ANY electrical/gas/plumbing work to be done, other than the replacement of existing fixtures. The ordinances change from city to city and from state to state. I’m glad I don’t have to go through all those hoops.