Odd issue with the electric lights in a display cabinet - help please.

[MontanaMama]

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]

1. Incandescent lights? Edison base? Mini-Edison base? Pix? NT

[MontanaMama]

12. Incandescent lights.

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]

2. Sounds like a break or short in the wiring.

I would unplug it until you can get it looked at or replace the wiring.

[Warpy]

32. I would suggest getting the outlet looked at, also

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]

3. Could be

Some type of electronics in unit. A relay or dimmer or something. Or short in electronics somewhere.

The unit sounds lovely!

[Jamastiene]

4. I'm not sure, but maybe it could be a ballast issue,

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]

6. I second the opinions

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]

11. I was going to suggest a multimeter and do a continuity (resistance) check.

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]

13. I do have a multimeter

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]

17. I usually buy lighting systems online.

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]

5. do you know what type of bulbs are in it ?

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]

14. I looked for a switch when I got this thing home.

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]

7. Ok did you try this?

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]

15. I didn't try that.

But I will! Now I am curious if there are different settings to the lights. Hmmm.

[dweller]

19. LED's are dimmable now

but they have to be labeled as such, otherwise they don't dim

✌🏼

[MontanaMama]

23. Guess what?

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.

[ragemage]

27. Great!

Glad to hear it works! The flat plate on the back is an older method, should have mentioned that one too.
Enjoy!

[voteearlyvoteoften]

8. Check hinges and look for a screw near top.

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]

9. It's haunted would be my guess.

[Chainfire]

10. So the delima is,

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]

16. It's definitely haunted.

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]

18. That sounds like a dream to me.

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. I bought a collection of exotic bird eggs at the sale.

Some are as small as a fingernail. They’re really old. I also bought several bird nests. My husband thought I was nuts.

[Jamastiene]

31. Stuff like that looks great in crafts projects,

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]

20. just did a google search on 1980 stickly mission display cabinet light switch location

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]

21. I do have the model #.

The original Stickley metal plate is on the back of the cabinet. Why didn’t I think of that?? I’ll have my kiddo help me move the cabinet out from the wall so I can see it. I’ll update when I find it. Thx!

[dweller]

22. if you're lucky you may google

an original owner's manual or some such

good luck

✌🏼

[MontanaMama]

25. Per a suggestion higher up in the thread...

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 I’m 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 aren’t dimmable so I’m not sure...but I am making progress.

Looking up the model # now.

DU. What a place. I love you all.

[dweller]

26. YAY ! l

i hope it's where you can reach it without moving cabinet

✌🏼

[MontanaMama]

28. I can.

I’m just friggin’ amazed.

[Chainfire]

29. If you are turning the lights on and off by tapping

you have a short and a possible fire hazard.

[MontanaMama]

30. It's a touch plate.

I just looked it up on Stickley’s site. It’s an old version of it...from the late 70’s 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 80’s.

[Jamastiene]

33. Awesome!

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]

34. I think Warpy nailed it lol

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.