With the knobs installed on the cross beams, I could wire the 12V lights. As noted in this post, I ran three wires into the barn — one more than I thought I would need. I usually install one extra in case inspiration strikes later, and it has. More on that later.
Inside the sea chest, there will be a receptacle, which will use one of the wires. I can plug three light fixtures into the hidden receptacle, though I plan to plug in only two. That aspect will be addressed in a later post.
I chipped out a portion of the floor beam to run two wires up the wall.
These are hidden by the vertical channel molding that looks like a support beam.
I spliced a length of wire to one of the lead wires and taped it along a route to the front of the building. This will be for any exterior lighting on the front of the barn. I’ll be undecided on that fixture until I get the barn doors installed, but I needed to pull the wire through now. I can disguise the wire with channel trim whether I use it or not.
I spliced the two lights from each cross beam onto a single length of wire, taping the wires into the channels of the cross beams as I worked.
I fed the front cross beam end wire through a hole drilled in the channel that serves as the horizontal support beam and joined it with the end wire of the back cross beam.
I tacked the vertical support beam to the wall with small dabs of glue, but the horizontal support beam and two cross beams are held in place with tension alone. The pieces can be snapped out of place if I ever need to address any wiring issues.
I spliced the two cross beam lighting wires to the remaining lead wire. Once the roof is on, this wiring will be unseen but still accessible through the removable back wall. It will be a cramped space to work in, but it’s better than having no access.
You can’t see any of the channel wires from the barn door opening.
Next up, continuing the knob and tube system from the cross beams onto the side wall. We’re getting there!
It has been so cold here the past few days, with windchills well below zero. Jasper is one smart kitty. He’s left the kitty bed and cat tree behind for the comfort of sleeping directly on the heat register. :D
