Update: This repair is complete.

I’m at a bit of a crossroads with this an on again, off again beer light repair project. First, some history…

This old Rheingold sign was hanging in a furniture store in Gowanus years ago, casting a retro-chic glow over a sectional. Not sure if it was for sale, but the manager was feeling charitable or anti-retro-chic that day and let it go for a modest price.

Since it’s been in my hands, I’ve rarely plugged it in. Sometime in the last few years, it stopped working. It still lights, but no flashing. I’ve opened it up years ago and found the problem to be the small, geared motor that drives a cam that switches the lights. Specifically, I suspect the gears are gummed up since the motor tries to run. Unfortunately, the motor is sealed, and I think I’d destroy it if I tried to open it.

At the time, I thought I’d just swap out the inner-workings for something solid state. Then I put it back on the shelf and forgot about it for three years. Recently, the inspiration struck to get it working again.

This weekend, I opened it up again in an attempt to get it running again without major surgery. I lubed the cam shaft and it ran all day on my bench. Reassembled, it ran on the shelf for few more hours before it was turned off for the night. Success, right? Nope. Plugged in the next day, not operating.

Here are the options I’m mulling over now:

1. Try to lube the motor gears. I read that it’s not uncommon for people restoring vintage, electric clocks to drill a small hole in the motor casing and apply a light oil.
2. Buy a new motor. The manufacturer of this motor is long gone, but it looks like there are similar ones that might fit. It will probably run at a different RPM, and it’s doubtful one could be found that has the same pausing (6 seconds on, 6 seconds off) behavior of the original.
3. Replace the mechanical switching mechanism with solid-state electronics. For me, this would probably mean using some development board and a conversion of the lights to low voltage LEDs. I’d probably take this opportunity to do something “cool” like converting it to an ambient display. This was my plan 3 years ago, I only made it as far as a quick POC though.
4. Bypass the blinking mechanism altogether and wire all the lights to be always on. I’d probably replace the incandescent bulbs with LED retrofits so it runs cooler. Replacing the flimsy power cord and plug might not be a bad idea either.

At the time of writing, I’m leaning towards option number 4. This is minimally invasive and leaves the door open for a full restoration at a later date. Options 1 and 2 include a motor, which isn’t a noise problem in a bar, but is mildly annoying in my office. Option 3, while overkill, might be fun one day–just not today.