As I understand it to install the sign you cut a slot in the roof (how big) and then I’m assuming that you plug the sign itself into the recepticle. Does that sound right? This is the first one I’ve done so I want to get it right. Thank you in advance for your help, and yes I’ve done a community search and all I’ve found is electrical related.
Yes I have two of their neon signs. When I installed it for my Union Station, I cut a slot open in the roof. Just big enough for the connector to get through.
I also bought their DC converter kit, and power them with that, instead of using batteries. Much easier.
And if the sign has brackets to support it. Use a VERY small amount of CA to attached them.
I thank you for your reply and I will look into the DC converter kit. I don’t suppose I told you where I hid the Dremel tool did I?
This is the DC power kit here.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Miller-Engineering-4802-4-5-V-AC-DC-Power-Adapter-p/mil-4802.htm
This is my version of the Shamrock Hotel sign.
The structure is the M.T. Arms Hotel from DPM. I built a sign frame, like the framework for a billboard, on the roof of the hotel to support the sign and give it visible support when the lights are on. The ribbon cable runs down through the building and the electronics are beneath the layout. I’ve got others where I mounted the electronics inside.
I have a 12 volt DC bus running around under my layout to power the many incandescent bulbs which light the buildings. When I get a Miller sign, I first connect it up with the battery pack and measure the current going through it. From that I compute the resistance of the sign’s electronics, and then calculate the appropriate resistor value to put in series with the electronics so that it gets the same current when connected to the 12 VDC bus. Typically, it’s about 200 ohms as I recall. No batteries, and no expensive special power supply. And, the sign comes on when I power up that bus.
I’ve got several Miller signs on my layout, and a couple more awaiting installation. They’ve all worked flawlessly for years.
These are a couple of older Miller signs. They have been discontinued, which is a shame. The large animated signs are great, but these smaller ones fit into downtown streets without dominating the scene. This pizza parlor was done with a pair of signs, one left and one right, mounted at a slight angle to each other. I cut a slot into the building for each of them.
Likewise, there’s a slot in the wall for this HOTEL sign on the Heartbreak Hotel down on Lonely Street.
Again, this is a single-sided sign.
The power supply suggested above will run up to 3 signs, if you plan on more this one will run up to 10 signs
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/502-4803
Mr B - did you ever touch those old style signs when thry were running? ZZZ-I-T-T-T-T [:'(] many volts, no amps that is probably why they were discontinued