DIY & Home Improvement
Related: About this forumOdd issue with the electric lights in a display cabinet - help please.
I bought an older mission style Stickley display cabinet at an estate sale. It is solid cherry with glass doors and sides with 5 heavy glass shelves inside it. Got it for $450...it is in mint condition structurally so I got a great deal on it.
Here's the issue: It has two mini spot lights in the top of it that shine down through the cabinet. At first I thought the lights didn't work because it didn't light up when I plugged the cord into an outlet. By accident, I learned that the lights indeed work IF I plug the cord into the outlet twice. I plug the cabinet in...unplug it...then quickly plug it back in and the lights work! The only outlet on the wall where this cabinet lives is behind a small table next to it...it's kind of a hassle to move the table, plug the cabinet in and move the table back. Not a huge deal but I would like to plug the cabinet into an extension cord with a switch to turn it on and off but it doesn't work because of the having to plug it in twice to make the lights work. Any thoughts out there? I think the cabinet may be haunted. It is quite beautiful, however.
mahatmakanejeeves
(60,925 posts)MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)Two mini spots. It came with original bulbs that I replaced with LEDs. The same issue applied to the old bulbs and the new ones. The lights work but have to be plugged in twice. I actually called Stickley about it. The cabinet was made in the late 70's early 80's and the wiring seems solid.
5X
(3,988 posts)I would unplug it until you can get it looked at or replace the wiring.
Warpy
(113,130 posts)although the problem is likely in the plug. I'd probably buy an in line switch to put in the cord (really easy to install) when I bought the new plug, although I do find it odd that the unit came with no switch of any type. Closer examination might be needed.
I wouldn't use the lights until everything had been checked out.
SheltieLover
(59,599 posts)Some type of electronics in unit. A relay or dimmer or something. Or short in electronics somewhere.
The unit sounds lovely!
Jamastiene
(38,197 posts)if it has a ballast somewhere. I have had them do that to me before. That is why I brought it up.
It would depend on if it is a lighting system that uses a ballast though. Do you know if it is? Where I had the problem with a bad ballast was in a fluorescent lighting system.
You might could replace the lighting system with an LED system and not have to worry. When older lighting systems and electrical stuff goes weird on me, I tend to go ahead and replace the entire system, if possible. That's just me though.
LunaSea
(2,926 posts)Ballast or short.
Got a multimeter? You could test it.
What type of lamp is it?
Replacing the whole thing may be the best idea.
And LEDs are cheaper than exorcisms (at least in my state...)
OAITW r.2.0
(28,361 posts)clip the leads to the power plug. It should show "closed" continuity -juice is flowing through the plug and power wire thru the bulb and back to the meter.. If any part of the power cable is intermittant by flexing the cable in various locations (usually close to the plug) then the power cable has broken down and definitely needs to be replaced. The multi-meter would be sweeping back and forth between closed and open conditions if this condition is present.
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)but don't know what to look for if I test it...the lamps were 30watt mini spot lights that came with it. I replaced the bulbs with LED's to cut down on the heat and give a brighter light...which they do. I still have to plug in the cabinet twice. Weirdest thing. I may try to replace the lights...not sure if I can locate something that will fit in the cabinet at the regular hardware store or maybe Stickley would have a replacement fixture.
Jamastiene
(38,197 posts)A good tip to make sure you are getting something that will fit into the size you need to install lighting is to do a search for reviews on YouTube and watch several different videos to get an idea what might work. That way when you do a search for if you decide to buy online, you will have an idea of what is what.
It's better than getting something and finding out it isn't what you expected. I now have lamps I never intended to build because of that, lol. It's ok though. I like them.
I learned about lots of lighting systems I did not know existed that way. Sometimes, searches online can come with inadvertently misleading sizes and other specs. So, a review on YouTube usually has a link directly to what it is in the description area of the video. I solved several lighting and other electronics issues that way, just to make sure I was getting the right thing.
dweller
(25,039 posts)is it possible they are 2way, dim and bright ?
is there a switch on the cabinet somewhere on back, bottom or inside
to turn on/off ?
🤔
✌🏼
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)There isn't one that I can find. The bulbs that came with the cabinet were 30watt mini spots. They worked but I replaced them with LED bulbs which are brighter and don't generate as much heat. I still wonder about a switch...maybe it is hidden. I called Stickley about it when I bought the cabinet...they didn't offer any info to help. They did say I got a heck of a deal at $450. The cabinet originally sold for around $6000 back in the early 80's.
ragemage
(107 posts)We have a display cabinet that is about 15 years old. The lights are turned on/off by tapping on the right side metal hinges of the cabinet doors. The lights have three settings, from low to high and then fourth tap to turn off. Just curious if you try that if it works.
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)But I will! Now I am curious if there are different settings to the lights. Hmmm.
dweller
(25,039 posts)but they have to be labeled as such, otherwise they don't dim
✌🏼
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)There is a small flat metal plate in on the back of the cabinet...the wiring goes from the light fixtures in the top to the flat plate then to the cord that plugs in the wall. I tapped the flat plate and it turns the lights on and off!! Who knew? My hand grazed it as I was moving the cabinet out from the wall and the lights turned off! Tap twice and they come back on. Wow.
Glad to hear it works! The flat plate on the back is an older method, should have mentioned that one too.
Enjoy!
voteearlyvoteoften
(1,716 posts)I have furniture that has touch lights 1 connected to a hinge and the other to a small screw inside top shelf. Look for a wire running to it. Mine use those tiny bulbs with prongs like on a stove light. Good luck.
gibraltar72
(7,629 posts)Chainfire
(17,757 posts)Do I call an electrician or an exorcists?
There are not a lot of components in those light to break, cord or ballast is the best guess. My money is on the cord.
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)The woman who owned it was an eccentric. She traveled the world over and had collections that blew my mind. It was the most amazing estate sale that I ever went to.
Jamastiene
(38,197 posts)I love odd and eccentric knick knacks and other things. I'd love to go to an estate sale for someone who has collections of eccentric stuff.
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)Some are as small as a fingernail. Theyre really old. I also bought several bird nests. My husband thought I was nuts.
Jamastiene
(38,197 posts)for decorations around the house. I would love to go to a sale like that sometime. I did manage to recently find a small bag of watch and other gears for a project I have planned that I want t apply a steampunk style to. They were cheap too. The smallest things can add so much to a crafts or woodworking project.
dweller
(25,039 posts)and everything it returned referred to a
dimmer switch but not where ... you might could narrow the search with model #
other info you have that i don't and locate switch info that way
it's probably where you wouldn't see it but could feel it
good luck
✌🏼
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)The original Stickley metal plate is on the back of the cabinet. Why didnt I think of that?? Ill have my kiddo help me move the cabinet out from the wall so I can see it. Ill update when I find it. Thx!
dweller
(25,039 posts)an original owner's manual or some such
good luck
✌🏼
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)I found a flat brass plate on the back of the cabinet when I pulled it out from the wall...my hand grazed the plate and the lights turned off! Whaaaaat? I tap it twice and the lights come on. Now Im guessing that the light fixture is dimmable with the correct bulbs...maybe one tp to turn them on and a second tap to make them brighter? The bulbs I have installed arent dimmable so Im not sure...but I am making progress.
Looking up the model # now.
DU. What a place. I love you all.
dweller
(25,039 posts)i hope it's where you can reach it without moving cabinet
✌🏼
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)Im just friggin amazed.
Chainfire
(17,757 posts)you have a short and a possible fire hazard.
MontanaMama
(24,015 posts)I just looked it up on Stickleys site. Its an old version of it...from the late 70s according to the product description. One tap for dim lights two taps for brighter lights. This version of the touch plate was updated to a more modern switch in the early 80s.
Jamastiene
(38,197 posts)I love it when I can find information online. Way back when, we had to wing it. Nowadays, you can look stuff up online. It's so amazing to me, still.
Wash. state Desk Jet
(3,426 posts)Every now and again I would catch a helper pulling the plug out of the receptacle by the cord . Too lazy I suppose to walk up to the receptacle and unplug the tool the one right way. So the next thing you know same sleaze bag comes up and tells me my skill saw or saw's all or drill whatever cuts in and out for some reason. It's never their fault, it always for some reason. Most likely the plug. Easy fix,go to yer local hardware store and talk to a sales rep what knows about electrical .It will be explained to you in understandable terms.