Mark,
Are you guys working on having the buildings lighting work on AC rather than those 4.5V transformers? Would work a lot better for most folks.
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I wondered the same thing. And if it would be ok to wire them to a dc transformer for say an HO train set. Then you could adjust the brightness (within reason) by altering the voltage??
Remember that these are sold in stores to people who may be part-time hobbyists without fully wired layouts. There is an entire class of hobbyists coming on board now with only LionChief sets, Department 56/Lemax/Menard's buildings. Selling these buildings on shelves of a major store -- you almost have to have them plug and play into the wall.
With the way Menard's is putting out quality buildings I will take them either way!
I like the buildings, but I wont buy any more until Menards changes these to work off of ac transformer source. Compatability in the hobby is important.
I agree with Vistadomescott. I feel the same way. Don't know if it is feasible, but maybe make them available either way
Instead of buying the power adapters from Menards whether it be a single or triple why not just buy an adapter that actually is regulated for a couple of dollars more on Amazon or eBay and not have to worry about blowing the lights. That's what I think I read in one of the other threads.
I LOVE there buildings but I too would love to see them wired for ac power.. Just so much easier to run them off a transformer/bus bar then have to find a spot to plug in all those wall warts.. then there is the reliability factor..
Scott
I would like to see more industrial buildings.
VistaDomeScott posted:I like the biildings, but I wont buy any more until Menards changes these to work off of ac transformer source. Compatability in the hobby is important.
There are so many areas of incompatibility now I just don't see the issue. Transformers that work with one brand not the other. Command control systems that are not hobby wide (like HO) Some engines that need a light bulb on the track to make them cycle FNR......the list goes on and on.......
I bought a box of 4.5 VDC transformers off ebay for about $2 each. Have the correct barrel plug and I tested each with my good voltmeter spot on voltage. I have had no issues and I kinda like the transformer for each building......Woodland and MTH buildings have their own needs so what's another. thx
Why don't you just buy an AC to D.C. buck converter on the bay and put it inside your building. Then you can just hook up the AC power to I and it will convert it for you
AMCDave posted:VistaDomeScott posted:I like the biildings, but I wont buy any more until Menards changes these to work off of ac transformer source. Compatability in the hobby is important.
There are so many areas of incompatibility now I just don't see the issue. Transformers that work with one brand not the other. Command control systems that are not hobby wide (like HO) Some engines that need a light bulb on the track to make them cycle FNR......the list goes on and on.......
I bought a box of 4.5 VDC transformers off ebay for about $2 each. Have the correct barrel plug and I tested each with my good voltmeter spot on voltage. I have had no issues and I kinda like the transformer for each building......Woodland and MTH buildings have their own needs so what's another. thx
Well, my layouts Z4000 powers all the varieties of trains I own from 3rd Rail to Williams. But back to the issue of building lighting, I choose not to add transformers and adapters for individual buildings. If a building can wire right into my MTH bus bars from the transformer power, it can join my layout. Just my choice.
Matt Makens posted:Why don't you just buy an AC to D.C. buck converter on the bay and put it inside your building. Then you can just hook up the AC power to I and it will convert it for you
Thanks for your idea. But, no thanks.
Sell a product that can take power directly without need to buy extra adapters or transformers and I will use them. Do what you guys want to do but I choose to avoid it, and persuade Menards to rethink how they offer these.
Have we ever seen a response from Menards on this issue? I thought there were a few posts about their power supplies. Some forumites have burned out light boards from using their power supplies. Pardon me if I missed the response from Menards.
VistaDomeScott posted:Well, my layouts Z4000 powers all the varieties of trains I own from 3rd Rail to Williams. But back to the issue of building lighting, I choose not to add transformers and adapters for individual buildings. If a building can wire right into my MTH bus bars from the transformer power, it can join my layout. Just my choice.
100% correct......it's a choice. But Menard's had a choice and they made their's for whatever reason. But as stated just as many non model railroaders may buy these items for seasonal displays (many Menard's stores only sell them around Christmas)
No one system would make 100% of the customers happy. There is no way I'd give up my power plant because I can't connect it directly to a power pack. thx
If you notice there are not to many suppliers that have building with LED's in them that hook right u to track power. Right now if you hook up to track power all your going to do is burn everything up with out some kind of power reducer.
You don't have to buy anything that wont hook up to track power, but then again you don't have to work on Menards to build something that a small group of people buy for a permanent layout. As stated above there are a lot more people that buy there stuff for small take up and take down layouts, also just for displays.
Well if you're going to leave it up to Menards to make and sell the thing only you seem to want you're in for a really long wait. If you wnat a solution, come up with one yourself, its all part of the hobby of model railroading. I have all kinds of things on my layout and this is my solution for things that don't really conform to how I want to do things. If you want something done right......
I use 12vdc for all my buildings and signals. The converter is about $3.
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VistaDomeScott posted:Matt Makens posted:Why don't you just buy an AC to D.C. buck converter on the bay and put it inside your building. Then you can just hook up the AC power to I and it will convert it for you
Thanks for your idea. But, no thanks.
Sell a product that can take power directly without need to buy extra adapters or transformers and I will use them. Do what you guys want to do but I choose to avoid it, and persuade Menards to rethink how they offer these.
Perhaps if you threaten to hold your breath until you turn blue . . . 
Pete
Hi John,
I think I saw that Menards building when it was a virgin in the box.
Brian
Right on, Brian. Too bad about those Packers. 
With John's use of the buck convertor ...........you don't even have to solder!
Two wires in.......two wires out (wire goes in the hole and you tighten the little screw).
Ensure polarity......positive inside.......the barrel of the adapter is negative.
You can use the faulty Menards adapters (the ones that deliver too much current).
The buck will bring them down to 4.5 DC.
Turn on the power before you hook up the building.......adjust the little knob on the buck to 4.5 on the readout. Hook up your building.........done!
And as John said .........$3 each delivered. Very easy !
jini5 posted:Have we ever seen a response from Menards on this issue? I thought there were a few posts about their power supplies. Some forumites have burned out light boards from using their power supplies. Pardon me if I missed the response from Menards.
Which issue, the AC power option or the power supply problem? Two separate conversations.
Relative to the first idea, Mark the Menards Train Guy has said the company may consider alternative ideas, including AC power presumably, but he was merely accepting input as opposed to promising changes. I think that conversation started in late November.
As for the errant power supplies that put out too much voltage, Menards was looking into the problem that arose in late December, but I can't recall reading whether the issue was ever confirmed. He did state that a fresh shipment of power supplies was expected this month.
Jim R. posted:jini5 posted:Have we ever seen a response from Menards on this issue? I thought there were a few posts about their power supplies. Some forumites have burned out light boards from using their power supplies. Pardon me if I missed the response from Menards.
Which issue, the AC power option or the power supply problem? Two separate conversations.
Relative to the first idea, Mark the Menards Train Guy has said the company may consider alternative ideas, including AC power presumably, but he was merely accepting input as opposed to promising changes. I think that conversation started in late November.
As for the errant power supplies that put out too much voltage, Menards was looking into the problem that arose in late December, but I can't recall reading whether the issue was ever confirmed. He did state that a fresh shipment of power supplies was expected this month.
Around the same time that Mark indicated that a new shipment of power supplies would be available by March 1, I noticed that the current models were shown as not available both online and in local stores. My guess is existing inventory was pulled until the new shipment could replace them.
What is the part number for that converter?
Did I miss it?
BWRR posted:What is the part number for that converter?
Did I miss it?
The two models shown as not currently available are:
Model Number: EL4005WH | Menards® SKU: 2894005
Model Number: EL4006WH | Menards® SKU: 2894006
Quote " I would like to see more industrial buildings."
"I" would like to see more HOUSES (only ONE!) grandpa needs company.......................................
jini5 posted:Have we ever seen a response from Menards on this issue? I thought there were a few posts about their power supplies. Some forumites have burned out light boards from using their power supplies. Pardon me if I missed the response from Menards.
So far, I have not heard any updates from Menards regarding their power adapters. Still waiting. Last I heard in early January, was that they would be discussing the issues with their engineers.
oops
I meant the part number for the AC to DC converter.
Here is a link I got from John! He sure is a nice guy to share!
BWRR,
It is actually a DC to DC converter. I use a PC power supply to power all my buildings with 12vdc. Here is one of many available.
Is the circled board the electronics for that Menards building? In all the discussions about the voltage issue this is the first time I've seen it! Do you have a photo of the back of the board? So this board drives 1 blinking sign and how many LEDs?
And it looks like you added a 12V DC LED lighting strip apparently powered by the 12V DC that drives the $2.41 step-down converter?
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It was glued inside the building and I broke it loose so the plug didn't have to go on the outside. There are two 5mm cw leds also hooked to it, one over each door. I'll get a picture shortly.
Here is the board. Yes, I did power a strip off the 12vdc coming in in the other picture.
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So I guess you could just use a DC transformer and set it to 4.5 volts.
RATS!!
I knew it would be to good to be true.
I was hoping for a small board to tuck into a building so I could run it off track power.
I am a carpet central kind of guy, with only a couple of building so this would work pretty good.
John H posted:Here is the board...
Yes. Thanks for the photo - it confirms my suspicions about the (in)compatibility with the adapters that have apparently been pulled from the shelves.
Anyway, I like what you did with the low-cost DC-DC module with built-in voltmeter - less than $2 shipped! I realize you had a source of 12V DC but for guys that want to use 14-16V AC Accessory voltage I guess you can hold out for Menards to offer something. It would be a curious technical discussion about how they should/could support either 4.5V DC and 14-16V AC at the same time, with switches, with different connectors, whatever.
But in the mean time, if you can deal with a bit of wiring (though NO soldering and NO external meter required), here's an alternative:
If you don't "do" eBay or don't want to wait for free shipping from Asia, these items can be found at Amazon or domestic sources though typically 2-3 times the price.
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Thank you Matt & Stan.
Now that I am thinking about it (prepare for what might be a silly question) Would there be a similar sized solution that would allow the input to be regular 110 AC? I would want something which had the same way of attaching wires, rather than being a wall wart. I tried ebaying to find something, but everything was big and was able to supply alot of power.
I am guessing that the drop from 110 AC down to 4.5 DC is just big and therefore requires big things like the train transformers is, but I would like to confirm that with you guys? I am not sure if the size is being driven by the voltage drop or the power consumption.
There's a similar board that goes from 100 to 220 down to a lower voltage. I try my darndest to keep 110 v out of my layout wiring
