Internally lit signs in cold weather [RE-wrenches]

[Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar]

John,

Westerfield has some 12 volt fixtures and they typically only sell through
distributor/dealers and I'm one.  I know what you need is a ballast and the
sign company can supply the lamp holders.  I'll Check with Westerfield and
see if they have a 4' DC ballast and will sell them alone.  Another option
is the PL39 lamp.  It's a two foot biax and bighter for the watts than a 4'
lamps but still requires a ballast.  I'll let you know when I hear from
them.

Also have you done the numbers on how many panels you are going to need?  I
have done a few signs and lost a lot more.  The main reasons don't include
the the price because it is cheaper than alternative but rather they want to
run the sign all night long all year long which is pretty much impossible
and expensive and when they see that the solar panels end up being as big as
the sign they almost always pass and pay bigger money to get the grid to the
sign.

If they can accept a few hours after sunset of lighting then it's a heck of
lot easier but I haven't found that to be the case.  Let me know how is goes
as I have always thought that sign lighting should be solar a lot more often
than it is.

Good Luck
Travis Creswell
Ozark Solar
----------
>From: "John Blittersdorf, Cent. VT Solar & Wind" <cvsolar at aol.com>
>To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>Subject: Internally lit signs in cold weather [RE-wrenches]
>Date: Tue, Aug 8, 2000, 6:39 AM
>

>Hi group,
>   Has anyone had any luck converting a standard internally lit 2-sided sign 
>with 48" fluorescent tubes to 12VDC but also will work in cold weather?  I 
>just got involved with a local electrician hired to get power to a new sign 
>at a school.  The wire would have to be buried under 2 paved driveways.  
>Solar is the answer but we want to work with the brand new sign installed.  
>It's a perfect demonstration project as the solar panel will be pleasingly 
>visible on a heavily traveled highway.  Any ideas?
>
>John Blittersdorf
>Central Vermont Solar and Wind
>
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