This model portrays a high-voltage transformer, one of the grid’s most iconic and indispensable components. Stationed at the heart of substations, these massive machines shift electricity between voltage levels — stepping it up for efficient long-distance travel, or stepping it down for safe local distribution.
I actually stole the inspiration for this transformer from a sticker (picture of the sticker here). One of my friend’s companies made the stickers as marketing material and swag and another friend from that same company had designed it.
That sticker is on my laptop and I look at it every day at work. Every time I saw it I kept thinking to myself, “I can make that with LEGO!” Eventually, I reached critical mass and sat down one weekend and did it. And I was right! It was a fun representation!
I also used the design for the tank from another LEGO MOC. You can find that here.
I was disappointed in some ways with the absence of color variation in the model. However, I find that the brown insulators really pop, especially with the metallic silver conductors on top. There were also several design patterns I will be able to reuse on other transformer models, specifically in how I constructed the heat exchangers and the lid/top of the transformer.
I also intentionally designed the lid to be easily removed. Even though the inside is completely empty right now, I left enough space and flexibility that, in theory, I can return to this model later and build in the inner workings. Love this idea but I don’t have a sense for how difficult it will be yet.
For now, I am just happy to have completed this model. I had been so excited with the HV TX MOC that I had found and built online. It is sitting in my office. But I wanted one of my own. Now I have it!
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