Motel Vacancy / No Vacancy sign - rec needed

[Rocco]

Hi all,

 

A customer wants to add a vacancy / no vacancy sign to his pole sign.  I quoted him on neon.  When he got up off the floor (four units, two transformers, enclosure, etc.) he asked about something LED.   I've done a bit of searching online but keep finding either indoor items, single sided units or things that look to be a POS.   Does anyone have a good source for this sort of thing?  

 

Thanks!

 

Rocco

[spectrum maine]

i have looked for years with no luck, i think there is a market for a 2 circuit vacancy sign out of led.  Anyone

[Conan the Signman]

I might suggest Gemini Sign products, they have a very nice custom formed letters w/ led illumination that they are simply calling "faux neon" for the moment, sounds like a remedy to all interested parties possibly?  it is the script looking 'A' - this stuff looks really nice, lights up solid, and looks very durable, anxious to try it ourselves and expect to soon, will post pics when we do...' 

[Rocco]

It's a nice idea, but are even more expensive than neon.  I'll give my customer the option of doing neon (the longest lasting option) or of my buying a ready made LED "sign" that I'll put in a box.

[Erik Sine]

Glass Pumped Neon so ambient temps won't affect the light is my two cents, and it won't degrade  

[Rocco]

I agree 100% that clear red glass is the way to go.  However given the cost of neon in my area anymore, plus two transformers plus making an enclosure etc. it's way more than this guy will spend.   it would last the longest by far, but if he won't spend the $ I have to find another alternative.  I am going to inform him that any LED solution I come up with will only last so long.   Hmm, maybe I'll have him buy them from Amazon and so when it dies he won't blame me.

 

Thanks all!

[Conan the Signman]

well familiar with, and love me some neon projects, but aside from the longevity of the led's (which we all know the technology changes daily) - the formed plastic isn't as fragile as neon (if exposed of course) and deserves some consideration.  I've seen some of the less than desirable stuff other manufacturers have put out to compete with neon and just offering that Gemini, in my opinion, leads the charge in alternatives here.  Yeah, clients are always leaning towards cheapest and fastest, but I like to point out or reinforce quality does cost you up front, but pays dividends over time.