This is the final update on the Rheingold beer sign project (originally covered here: A beer light to guide us).

Rather than do anything drastic, I opted to retrofit the sign with LEDs and call it a day. A new cord with a polarized plug was also fitted and all the sockets were wired properly. There was a fair bit of corrosion under some of the original wire nuts, so I’m glad to have nice, clean connections now. That also serves as a reminder to inspect the connections on these old signs.

There’s a photo of the finished job below. I left a note on the inside for the curious person that pops this open in the future. Maybe they’ll decide to restore this sign to its original glory. Until then, I’m enjoying the warm, constant glow.

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.

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