speaking of solar

[imanut]

Now that you guys brought up the subject - of course now I have to find a solar panel to light up a sign. Wouldn't you know it. Arent' there a couple guys on here that do solar panels? If so, please PM me.

gn

[YYZ]

Gary - keep in mind that when using solar systems and batteries, that you have to be careful which LED product you decide to use - if that's another part of your sign equation. Batteries generally run between 13.5-13.8V, so if you're using a 12VDC lighting system you have to use one that has a wider operating range and utilizes on-board current regulation. Stay away from resistor based products. It doesn't seem like much, but that extra 1.5V might have you over-driving some products by 50% or more, meaning more light right away but then more rapid depreciation.

[imanut]

Thanks - had not considered that yet. Know what mfg's, off the top of your head, that have the on board current regulation?

gn

[Erik Sine]

But you can put a DC regulator between the battery and LED mods no? I have some of these on old Vespa Scooters dropping the power that comes from the stator plate to the lighting. I wouldn't use anything other than CC Modules anyway.

Talk to Mark at eeLEDLighting, they have a few panels used for their jobs http://eeledlighting.com/

Maybe you might have seen what they had set up at the ISA show if you happened to drop by their booth

[YYZ]

I saw some new products last weekend at the Canadian sign show (CONSAC), so things are changing a little, but it mostly breaks down as follows (off the top of my head):

Regulated current products (aside from ours): GE, Sloan, new Agilight, some Axiom, EGL, Osram

Non-regulated current products: USLED, Permlight, some Agilight, Principal, Allanson, JTLED

There are lots of others out there and more than half fall into the latter group. If they're resellers of imported stuff, then 90% of is not current regulated.

[mvilow]

Dear Gary,

all of our LETROLED LED products (modules or light bars) are current regulated products and will work just fine up to 15V without taking damage. The same goes for the digital light matrix you saw at the ISA show.

Cheers,

Malte

[imanut]

Thanks guys for the info. ANy members that do solar panels that are on here?

[mvilow]

Hi Gary,

You can get in touch with Solar Signs Unplugged (http://solarsignsunplugged.com/) in Kansas City. Ask for Curtis Shaddox (816/405/3088), he should be able to help you with all your solar powered signage needs.

Cheers,

Malte

[imanut]

Thanks Malte - appreciate the heads up.

gn