So I'm trying round wiring for the first time.
Or not.
I'm fairly experienced with tape wire, and have never had any major problems. However, it's not the most durable system on earth, and it can be hard to hide the tape. So I thought I'd try round wire instead. In theory, it doesn't seem that difficult.
However, I cannot get anything to work.
Usually, I have some idea of what I'm doing wrong. This time, I don't. I feel utterly defeated. I'm not sure if it's how I'm wrapping the terminal block (a process for which there are no useful diagrams), how I'm soldering the connections (I don't think it's that), etc etc etc. I've also realized that, alarmingly, I have no idea how to test the circuit! Oh, for tape wire, where you just stick it in.
Any suggestions?
Hi CJ, So far all the wiring I have done has been either the round wire (kits) or LED with batteries (kits), so I don't claim to be a pro at all! I have not soldered anything, but twist the wire ends together and cover them with the shrink tubes which keep the opposite wires from touching each other. (If they touch each other they blow the circuit!) I have used the little plugs (it's like lots of mini extension cords)that plug into a strip which is attached to a transformer which has to be the right size for the number and type of bulbs you are planning to use. So the only place my wires can "cross" is where I am splicing the lengths between the lamp and the little plug. With round wire it doesn't matter which wire is connected to which "side" of the terminal the way it does with LED's (hence the black and red wires to distinguish them).... but you do have to make sure the open wire parts don't "cross" by touching each other. I don't know how your soldering is being done or what your terminals are like.... but you do have to keep the two wires from touching each other. Also you need to make sure your "voltage" levels are all the same system... ie 12 volt (standard dollhouse voltage) or three volt.... LED type voltage. I don't know if any of this helps at all... but it's my two cents worth! Good luck with making it all work!
ReplyDeleteYes, all that. I've never soldered anything, either, or used a terminal block. I use the plugs and a power strip with individual switches. You can also splice two lights (or more) onto one end wire. For instance, I wired my two door sconces onto one lead wire with one plug so the two lights work as one.
ReplyDeleteThere are LEDs that can be used with 12V dollhouse systems and some that must be used only with 3V batteries. The packages should tell you what type they are.
Do you have a power strip, transformer and a lamp with a plug already on it? You can test to make sure you have the power strip attached to the transformer in the correct manner by plugging in the ready-to-go lamp and seeing if it works. If not, switch the tabs that fit under the screws and try again. Unplug it from the wall while you work. Once you know the power strip is working, then you can try more lights.
Hello CJ,
ReplyDeleteBasically I follow the same technique as Otterine. I'm sure you'll resolve this quickly.
Big hug,
Giac
I'm up there with Otterine and Giac too. The lighting is the one thing that brings out the 5 year old in me! Major hissy fits!
ReplyDeleteOne thing to be aware of is that it's the number of bulbs that count, not the number of fittings when purchasing the transformer. You're probably aware of that but just thought I'd mention it! If there's a problem, the tiny little bulb on the socket strip (just under the fuse) usually lights up to let you know something's amiss.