Hi guys
I
believe that, like the belts for the other Vader costumes, the box lights on the ESB suits were powered by four D cell batteries (a 6 volt circuit) in a single battery holder bolted to the back of the belt through the leather.
On each box one green switch was practical, and one was the indicator version of the same type of panel switch (so they look identical from the outside but the indicator's lens doesn't move, it's fixed). The practical switch for each box would turn on and off that particular box's two green lights and the red one.
Looking straight at Vader, the outside green panel switch on each box is the practical one and is a 'latching' switch, it's wired so that when the switch's lens is sprung 'up' and sticking out slightly the circuit is open and all the lights are on - when you push that switch
in, and the lens latches with a click flush with the mount, the lights in that box go off.
An electrical flex comes out on the back of each metal box and runs back along the inside surface of the belt to the battery pack around each side, probably held down with tape, although sometimes you can see a stray flex which must have crossed behind the buckle poking out from behind the belt in the front.
I drew myself a circuit plan not long ago, but I can't think where I've put it at the moment! (not with my scanner right now anyway).
I think someone told me once that there was a small slider switch fitted to the belt near the batteries that may have turned on and off the chest lights but I can't remember where I heard that.
.. and hey I'm not precious about this info - if it's completely wrong someone PLASE correct me! I won't mind.
Jeremy
(it's late, and I'm half concentrating on a repeat of Next Gen at the moment, so hope this has all made sense!)
