Elevator Lights Without the Elevator

Background
A few years ago all of the elevators in a local building were redone. A friend of mine saw all of the parts that were being thrown out and got permission to scrounge. We searched and found several items of interest. The best part that I took was the up/down arrows used outside the elevator on each floor.

I decided I should definitely make use of these arrows in some way. I decided to keep it simple and just wire the lights for control on a manual switch. I did just that about a year ago but encountered a few problems with my original design. I have therefore have redone it and am presenting the improved version here because I now know how it should be done.

Goals
My goals for the project were:

• to have the lights easily relocatable,
• to have a switch to control on/off as well as the direction of the arrow,
• and for the lights to be safe and reliable.

Green
This project has saved from a landfill what is now a unique and simple bit of functional decoration. I used a piece of wood too small for most applications. Also, I used an old computer power cable and many parts on hand.

Warning
This project makes use of alternating current directly from a power outlet. Alternating current can kill. If you are not comfortable working with AC then do not attempt this project. Also, tools are used in the construction of this project which can be dangerous. I make no warranties or claims as to the accuracy or completeness of these instructions. Reader assumes all risks.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

This is a basic list of the materials and tools I used for this project. I will go into more detail on some of these in later steps.

Materials

• Computer power adapter with female end removed
• DPDT switch (rated for at least 15 Amps and 120 Volts)
• 16 gauge 3 wire electrical cable
• Box for electrical components
• Four wire twist connectors
• Electrical tape
• Wood stain
• Epoxy
• Masking tape
• L brackets
• Four long bolts, eight nuts, and four washers
• Small cord (shoelaces would work)
• Wood for mounting lights
• The elevator lights

Recommended Tools

• Paint brush
• Drill
• Wire strippers
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
• Staple gun
• Regular screw driver
• Router (not necessary, but nice)
• Dremel (not nice, but useful)
• Safety glasses and hearing protection (for use with power tools)

Comments

[jaxxster1]

NICE!

[JohnMichael]

Perhaps there is a way to rig it so that the wiring between the pieces is not showing. Maybe some kind of wireless connection between the two parts?

[jeremiahthebullfrog]

Erm... It is impossible to get electricity to flow through the air wirelessly to illuminate a sign! This is not like using WiFi to transmit the image to the arrows.

[JohnMichael]

I meant for switching the arrow, not the power. An internal power supply like a battery would be relatively easy. A wireless switch may be more difficult.

[lane29]

i think you could do that with a remote control car, by replacing the motor or the steering with the lights

[bart.p]

i no at harbor freight tools they have this sweet power outlet that you can switch on or off with a remote control like for a car if you wired that up somehow then you could maybe use it, im thinking about using it for another project and im gonna post an instructible up for it so if something you can see what it looks like gutted out

[WhyIsThisOpen]

Those are only on off though. For this project you need a double throw switch, which I haven't seen in those. (Or any normal wall switch, for that matter.) You could use two normal switches, but that seems like a hassle, especially given the cost and the fact that you have to deal with making the switches be mutually exclusive. So for all that, I would rather have made my own controller and hooked it up to a computer. But I just wanted that done so I could work on something new.

[GEEK1]

you should put this above a door and make the door look like an elevator's door and change the switch to look like a real elevator's switch then watch the people get fustrated when the elevator never comes.

[munchman]

Dress a room up like an elevator, put this outside, have the doors open automatically, then somehow add sound effects and flicker the lights.

[the_mad_man]

you could hook this up to switches on the doors to the stairs so when the bottom door opens, it shows up, and when the top door opens, it shows down. love to see it implemented like this.

[WhyIsThisOpen]

I hadn't thought of that; but I think up/down arrows for stairs would make a great joke.

[vinnygx3pimp]

where did you get your elevator lights from?

[joejoerowley]

Great Instructable! Btw nice gaff tape!

[WhyIsThisOpen]

Good eye.

[joejoerowley]

haha thanks

[DIY Dave]

sweet

[erik.teichmann]

You could wire it to a computer and use it to display something like your current Google Analytics (ie, if site traffic is up, show the up arrow).

[WhyIsThisOpen]

I wanted to, but stopped when I realized I'd be out about $100 for a micro-controller and two solid state relays. If you have a simpler way to implement that I would be interested to here more.

[LinuxH4x0r]

Freeduino (arduino clone) kits are only $28 shipped

[crapflinger]

it would be neat to have a sign above and a sign bellow the arrow light to indicate something like "do not disturb" and "visitors welcome" or something like that...then if you don't want people in your room/office just point the arrow to that sign..

[WhyIsThisOpen]

That would be my top choice if I had a window by the door.

[LarrySDonald]

Made me think it would be pretty interesting to put a randomly up/down/floor lights and a button next to a few pieces of metal molding and see how long it takes people to figure out it's not actually an elevator. Probably too bold of a project for me, but with LEDs not at much of a premium and some raided elevator parts it might be possible.

[benz_z]

dont play clein dion in your non existing elevator just because every other elevator plays it doesn't make it right (and im tired of apoligising...eh)