stolitx Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 Can anyone help? I have these interesting light switches and switchplates. They are all original to the house and come with one, two, three, four and even nine switch sizes. One in the house is missing and a couple others are cracked. I cannot find anything like them anywhere. I send the pictures to Atomic Ranch magazine today and the editor has never seen anything like them before. Now my curiousity is killing me. Where did they get these light switches & plates?AR mag editor said she belived they could be custom. Is that possible that someone would custom design light switches? She may feature them in a future edition. I hope the pictures show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasdago Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 The pictures aren't showing up but I know what they look like since I stay in touch with the editor of Atomic Ranch.Those are great but I wish I knew where to point you. I haven't seen those before... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Maybe these will work. I moved my pics to a different online directory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 The pictures aren't coming through for me. Are you talking about those little light up switches? I have seen those in several of the old high end houses in Glenbrook. The kind where there is a master control panel in the master bedroom that can turn on/off the lights throughout the whole house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 The pictures aren't coming through for me. Are you talking about those little light up switches? I have seen those in several of the old high end houses in Glenbrook. The kind where there is a master control panel in the master bedroom that can turn on/off the lights throughout the whole house.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes I think so rps. I have 2 master control panels to control all/most lights. Although most don't work or we have no idea what it's supposed to turn on. Then all the other switches are the same odd shape, but with just 1 to 4 swiches for the room. Neither my inspector or electrician had ever seen them before, but neither are specialists in MCM homes either.I'll email you the pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoAtomic Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 The master control panel comment makes me think this is a relay-driven 'remote-control' electrical system - I remember seeing an article in a mid-50's BH&G mag about them. This type of system allowed 'switching' multiple circuits with remote power relays connected together with low voltage wiring.The benefit was ability to wire a light or whatever with 3-4 switch points (hall, bedroom, garage) without having to loop high voltage wiring all around the house (great for a rambling ranch). Also is safer electrically because the low volt wire carries minimal voltage (probably 12 volt vs. 120 volts). Undoubtedly found only in high-end houses, definitely a custom system. You might want to cut the power and pull one of the the switches out of the wall box to check on this - if the connecting wires are tiny and not the normal 2 or 3 strand vinyl cable, it's low volt. Also, you might have a central relay box (separate from the breaker box) in the garage or utility area for this type of system.I would be interested to see those pictures, feel free to email me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I saw those panels in both of these houses, which were part of the original 6 homes for Glenbrook. With one being built by an electric (Lowe's electric) company, they probably were involved in wiring many of the homes down there. That is probably the origination point of who supplied them and where they came from, but it doesn't help with replacement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I'd love to see the switches, as well as pix of the rest of the system. eMail them to me, and I can host 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted March 12, 2005 Author Share Posted March 12, 2005 The master control panel comment makes me think this is a relay-driven 'remote-control' electrical system - I remember seeing an article in a mid-50's BH&G mag about them. This type of system allowed 'switching' multiple circuits with remote power relays connected together with low voltage wiring.The benefit was ability to wire a light or whatever with 3-4 switch points (hall, bedroom, garage) without having to loop high voltage wiring all around the house (great for a rambling ranch). Also is safer electrically because the low volt wire carries minimal voltage (probably 12 volt vs. 120 volts). Undoubtedly found only in high-end houses, definitely a custom system. You might want to cut the power and pull one of the the switches out of the wall box to check on this - if the connecting wires are tiny and not the normal 2 or 3 strand vinyl cable, it's low volt. Also, you might have a central relay box (separate from the breaker box) in the garage or utility area for this type of system.I would be interested to see those pictures, feel free to email me.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>This sounds exactly like my system. I know the master switches can control the garage light which is detached from the house (if the gargage light worked). My system is low voltage too. Now to find the central relay box. There is something in the laundry room/pantry that may be it. I thought it was for the intercom system that is broken, but I will go check it out.Everyone's information is very helpful. I will try to email the photos to those that asked. I have them on ofoto & snapfish. The ones from ofoto are showing up for me in the post. The first ones aren't. If anyone has tips for posting them to be seen, please let me know. Sounds like I won't be able to replace the craked ones. That's ok, I can live with cracks. But hopefully your info will help me find an electrician to help with other issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 This sounds exactly like my system. I know the master switches can control the garage light which is detached from the house (if the gargage light worked). My system is low voltage too. Now to find the central relay box. There is something in the laundry room/pantry that may be it. I thought it was for the intercom system that is broken, but I will go check it out.Everyone's information is very helpful. I will try to email the photos to those that asked. I have them on ofoto & snapfish. The ones from ofoto are showing up for me in the post. The first ones aren't. If anyone has tips for posting them to be seen, please let me know. Sounds like I won't be able to replace the craked ones. That's ok, I can live with cracks. But hopefully your info will help me find an electrician to help with other issues.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I use photobucket.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted March 13, 2005 Author Share Posted March 13, 2005 here are photos for those curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 here are photos for those curious. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Rip them out and go to Home Depot and get some bright shiny brass replacements Of course I am kidding. Try posting on www.lottaliving.com too, and see if anyone there has any answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoAtomic Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 I dug up that article from the BH&Gardens (a 1958 issue) and one of their 'drawings' of the switch panels has the hourglass-shaped switches exactly as your picture above. For parts you might try WW Grainger, an old line purchasing supply house that until recent years was open only to the trade; now they sell to the public. I would call them direct; they might have some new-old stock laying around.What a cool system to have .... those homeowners were really livin' large. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdmarc Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 A relay-based system using low voltage controls is on the right track. I think this is a GE product. Similar systems were regularly installed in commercial buildings with a slightly different control panel. I would bring the photos to a local wholesale electrical supply warehouse. WESCO and Consolidated Electric are two of the national chains. The guys at the counter can usually tell you what the product is and how to go about fixing it. (although in some cases they won't sell the product direct to a homeowner) My guess is this style is not in production. The 1980's version I am familiar with had banks of rectangular switches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 So those switches just flat don't work? You might try and see if the contacts just need to be cleaned or something. Also, you can replace those with any switches rated for the correct load. Might have to get some kind of custom mounting plate though, and I doubt you'd find replacements that looked exactly like those, but you should be able to find something that looks appropriate for the period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoAtomic Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Looking at this logically, it's likely that the low-volt switches are fine, but some of the power relays (which handle the heavy voltage and would tend to get hot from use) are sticking or shot from age. But checking this out would best be left to an experienced electrician.The good news is that a electric relay is probably a generic part (and a replacement more easily found) than the trigger switches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Looking at this logically, it's likely that the low-volt switches are fine, but some of the power relays (which handle the heavy voltage and would tend to get hot from use) are sticking or shot from age. But checking this out would best be left to an experienced electrician.The good news is that a electric relay is probably a generic part (and a replacement more easily found) than the trigger switches.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yeah....you need a really good 'lectrician, I suspect your system would confuse the average 'lectrician. If you get a moron, he'll probably burn the whole system up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 Thanks for all the info, this is beyond helpful!Actually most of the switches work, but some don't. Some work only after you hold the switch on or off for a long time. The ones that don't work we can't figure out what they go to anyway so it hasn't been an issue.One of the switchplates is missing. So I'd love to find a replacement for that. However for now my crafty mother fashioned something out of balsawood to fit the unusual shape of the switch. Which is better than a nice brassy replacement. Sadly I bet some of these plates and switches from other houses in the 'hood are in the city dump somewhere. At least the people I bought my house from kept the original cabinet hardware hidden in the garage so I could replace the lovely country, Home Depot hardware they "upgraded" with.I'll start with checking all the connections since that may be why some don't work or don't work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Thanks for all the info, this is beyond helpful!Actually most of the switches work, but some don't. Some work only after you hold the switch on or off for a long time. The ones that don't work we can't figure out what they go to anyway so it hasn't been an issue.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>If you have a multimeter it should be really easy to check for continuity across the switch to see if its working, or a problem with the rest of the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I looked at a house today these switches and the same type of low/high voltage system. Fortunately, they all appeared to be in good shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 If you haven't found a house yet, a flat roof mod came up in Westbury for $82,500! I haven't seen it in person yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm1fd Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 If you haven't found a house yet, a flat roof mod came up in Westbury for $82,500! I haven't seen it in person yet.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Nope...the deal on the house in Forest Hill fell through because of deed restrictions.Based on the description of that Westbury house, it looks like some huckster is trying to flip it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drex Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 One of the switchplates is missing. So I'd love to find a replacement for that. However for now my crafty mother fashioned something out of balsawood to fit the unusual shape of the switch. Which is better than a nice brassy replacement. I have 3 of the switchplates you are talking about - picked them up at a thrift store recently. Two of them are for 3 switches and the other is for 2. They are still packaged and have never been used - however, one package is missing the screws. They even have the gold card inserts. I had never seen these before and that is what intrigued me to buy them. They are yours if you want them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted June 16, 2005 Share Posted June 16, 2005 That Westbury house looks like a lost cause, but you never know.JasonNope...the deal on the house in Forest Hill fell through because of deed restrictions.Based on the description of that Westbury house, it looks like some huckster is trying to flip it.....<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 One of the switchplates is missing. So I'd love to find a replacement for that. However for now my crafty mother fashioned something out of balsawood to fit the unusual shape of the switch. Which is better than a nice brassy replacement. I have 3 of the switchplates you are talking about - picked them up at a thrift store recently. Two of them are for 3 switches and the other is for 2. They are still packaged and have never been used - however, one package is missing the screws. They even have the gold card inserts. I had never seen these before and that is what intrigued me to buy them. They are yours if you want them.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>YAY Drex! Thank you sooo much. I promise I will give them a proper home. I have no problem paying you for them. Please email me at stolitx@hotmail.com or stolitx@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceAge Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 The August 2007 Mod of the Month in Meyerland has this same type of electrical switching system. The original owner still lives in the house and she said Select-Elect took care of the system for her. The only company I see listed similar to that name is Select Electric at 7400 Ashcroft, telephone 713-772-3637. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 These are the kinds of things we should notify Historic Houston about for the new "mod section" of their warehouse. As houses are sadly demolished, maybe some of these things will be saved for those who need them.JasonThe August 2007 Mod of the Month in Meyerland has this same type of electrical switching system. The original owner still lives in the house and she said Select-Elect took care of the system for her. The only company I see listed similar to that name is Select Electric at 7400 Ashcroft, telephone 713-772-3637. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.