LED or NEON

[chad]

what kind of signs do you guys have in your mat? led or neon... also what are the advantages of ether one.

[Adamski]

Chad,

I assume you're referring to exterior signage.

LED uses less electricity than neon but it is more expensive to buy and may require more maintenance as each LED is a separate unit.

Neon is more like a flourescent tube except it contains neon gas which is available in a variety of colors. A high voltage transformer excites the gas and that causes it to glow brightly.

LED lights use low voltage from a transformer to cause them to glow brightly but they are generally available in just a few colors.

The large message center signs that have scrolling messages and bright flashing images also use LEDs which are controlled wirelessly from a remote computer. These signs are impressive but they are very, very expensive. Anywhere from $16,000 on up for one that can be seen from 1/10 mile away.

I have a 24 year old flourescent sign that is mounted 40' high on a single pole. The sign itself measures 25' wide x 5' high and it's a double flex-face design. I just recently spent $8,000 upgrading this sign with new transformers (5), new bulbs (25), new sockets (50), new faces (2) and repainting of the framing metal.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[chad]

thanks larry guess i will stay with the neon then.

[Adamski]

Chad,

Last fall I started researching LED signage because my flourscent sign was showing its age. I was tempted to spring for a fancy 18" x 24' long scrolling message center for the bottom 2' of my sign but the cost was about $20,000 and I'd still have to renew the upper 3' of my old sign somehow. I decided to buy a new van instead. Besides, GM needed my help.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[chad]

ya iam not down to spend that kind of money right now. i just bought my water machine... which i cant wait for.

[James2011]

Scrolling led sign is around $2000 range price...10feet by 3 feet...
LED store outside sign also not that expensive...around $5000.
I have considered to install "scrolling LED sign which shows texts...", regardless of price, I just suspect it's worth to put or not....maybe just waste of $$

[epic02]

Chad, My exterior sign is LED it runs on one amp of electricity cost about $7,000 They sad it should last about 10 to 15 years without burning out, will see. Not like a lot of neon signs you see half lit or letters burnt out. I went with the more expensive one because I own the building. I don't know if I would make that kind of investment if I didn't.

Here's A neon sign:
http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t351/epic02/0129081741a-1.jpg

Here's my LED sign with all surrounding lights off:

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t351/epic02/0229082310-1.jpg



With surrounding lights on:

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t351/epic02/0324081935-1.jpg

[SEFlaundry]

Very nice!!

[Adamski]

Guys,

I'd just like to offer a heads-up about LED signage. I'm told that the first generation of LED signs had a corrosion problem with the leads of the LEDs. This would cause the LEDs to fail. It is my understanding that current model sign LEDs are better.

I would caution anyone buying LED signage to make sure the contractor is NOT using the old style LEDs that are subject to the corrosion of the leads on the LEDs.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[epic02]

Larry,
My contractor told me he was putting in LED's made, I believe by GE and that there were other LED's made in other countries that weren't up to good working standard.
Kenny

[Adamski]

Kenny,

Your contractor is probably correct. I'm glad you used a reputable sign company to make your very professional looking sign.

Larry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif