Erik Sine

Right now we have a special for any company who wants to promote and advertise their products & services to the electric sign community here on the Sign Syndicate. The Board Vendor Package includes: Banner Ad packages: Rotating Header Banner Banners are seen on every page of the Sign Syndicate. 800 pix x 175 pix Weekly Newsletter Banners & Promotion Links Banners are rotated each week with all Board Vendors across three locations. 700pix x 150pix Affiliate Banner Located at the bottom of every page 225 pix x 50 pix Posting Topics Promote Goods & Services in Posts Across The Sign Syndicate. One of the questions new members get asked when they register on the Sign Syndicate is...."How did you hear about us?". About 50% is "Doing a google search", the other is "Word of mouth". Content on this board is what brought them here. The content you post will not only attract members, but also those doing searches that aren't even members. Plus All Broad Patron Privileges included with Board Vendor Membership - Add yourself to Membership Map - Add Signatures at the bottom of each post about your company - Social Media Icons of your company right under your profile name, visible on every post you make

Most Light Source Suppliers and Manufacturers won't show you examples let alone "numbers" of light readings on Sign Cabinet or Sign Projects from light source components they push like these I'm posting here, but....This is The Sign Syndicate! "Seeing is believing" as they say. So, one of the components I've been big on because of feedback and demand is a strong enough LED module that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, isn't proprietary where you need to buy their special clips, brackets, etc, and actually put out enough light without exaggerated "Usable Light" under too far spread spacing that's supposed to save you money that won't compete with other existing signs in the area of your project. Biggest complaint from sign shops about cabinet LEDs....."I don't want to use a whole bunch of power supplies!" You want your clients sign to stand out, NOT be lost or drown out by other neighboring signs also competing for attention and visibility. Most importantly, the BrightON Sunfire LED keeps it simple by allowing custom sign shops not having to pay enormous amounts of money. I've discussed our upcoming new High-End Sign Syndicate BrightON Sunfire LED for Cabinets, Slim Cabinets, and Large Channel Letters before. But I've never had an opportunity to back it up with facts by illustration until now. Let's start with our long time industry standard light source components first. HO Fluorescent Lamps That is good ol HO T12 Fluorescent Lamps. Unlike our industry suppliers and manufacturers I'm not going to bash the use of HO Lamps, they work good, and they do last a long time despite their marketing claims of failure just to sell another light source. There are some very well High-End made HO Lamps for our industry. Back to the project. Here we have your typical 4' x 4' x 12" double sided cabinet that we would either see on a pole or mounted on the ground. 3/16" 7328 Plexiglas MC acrylic face. Using industry standard spacing of lamps at 12" spacing. HO Lamps 6" in from the sides and 12" from lamp to lamp powered by a energy efficient electronic ballast pulling about 126 Watts With four HO 4' lamps with 12" spacing, using a Light Meter to measure the sign face surface light we have a Foot Candle average of 211 FC (FC High 213, FC Low 209) This is, and has been our industry average for sign surface lighting for DECADES. Here is our High-End Sign Syndicate BrightON Sunfire (pronounced just like the city) A 3 watt LED module with a 170˙ High Uniformity Optics with over 420 lm Most importantly it's 24V system, and Constant Current.... NOT Constant Voltage. This system has reduced amperage, heat, and resistance running across it compared to a 12V and it has more voltage head room for long runs. This calculates to longer life. On a 24V system this means loading more modules on a 96W power supply than a limited 60w power supply of a 12V system. Less moving parts on a project the better. Below and as illustrated we spaced our modules the same as HO Fluorescent Lamps. 6" in, 12" from row to row and one Sunfire Module per foot, spaced 12" apart from one another One thing I wanted on our Sunfire modules were longer wires between each module. You have enough wire (15") to jump from row to row without having to splice...less labor involved and it gives you more room to do what other tasks you may need to do with longer wiring. Using modules like our BrightON Sunfire makes your projects at so much of a lesser cost. Instead of buying special proprietary clips, tracks and mounting brackets just purchase inexpensive alum 1/16" or 1/8" angles and channel for mounting. These typically can be bought in 8', 16', and 24' lengths. The results.....Same Light Meter, measuring the same surface area on the sign face we get a 255.5 Foot Candle average (FC High 262, FC Low 249) That's a 17% brighter sign face!!! What makes the BrightON Sunfire even better? Adding a True Power France Lighting Solution 24V LED Power Supply. True Power means having the ability to load 100% of a load on a power supply. As you know most power supplies are asked to load to 80%-85%. Not so with France, 100% if need be. Most competing cabinet 12V/24V LED modules will run you anywhere from $7.00 to $15.00 per module. The BrightON Sunfire will only run you $3.50 per module, giving you NOT "Usable Light" but "Real Competitive Light" as illustrated here.....17% brighter, over above our industry standard lighting of T12 HO Fluorescent Lamps and 40% lower power consumption, or Cost of Operation!! Product Information Video

Our 24V France "True Power" Lighting Solution products that will power our Sign Syndicate Brighton LEDs have finally arrived and are now listed up in our Online Shopping Cart. France Lighting Solutions True Power LED Power Supplies are the Electric Industries ONLY Power Supply you can load to 100%....not 85%...not 80% like most....BUT 100%. That means more LED Modules per Power Supply and of course a higher rated Power Supply You'll be able to power up 120 .8watt BrightON II LED Modules on a single 96W France LED Power Supply for all your channel letter and sign cabinet projects!!! That means cost savings in using less LED Power Supplies in using a 24V system over a 12V system. A 24V System halves the Amperage reducing the Heat, & Resistance running across your LED Modules over a 12V system which improves liability to your system Two HUGE pluses for your projects, High-End, High Efficiency Constant Current 24V BrightON LEDs powered by True Power France Lighting Solutions Engines.

Board Patron's don't forget to mark yourself on our Installer Map if you take on any subcontracting for Installs or maintenance from other sign companies, it'll be much easier to find you!

We always strive on information here on The Sign Syndicate. Everything from National Sign & Subcontractor Reviews on "payments & relationships" to "How To"...better ways to build sign systems and projects based on longevity & reliability . So, we're very, VERY excited (I want to say "Super Excited" but it's so over used) to announce our whole new upcoming Sign Syndicate 24V BrightON (Pronounced like the city) LED system just got even better. Better because we will be complimenting our High Powered, High Efficient LED Module system with France Lighting Solutions 24V LED Drivers. I have talked about France products quite a bit here over the years, mainly when it comes to Neon. The quality, that high bar of standards, most importantly....the "Reliability". From Neon to LED Power Supplies, expect nothing different, nothing less from France Lighting Solutions. But, actually here is something different about their LED Drivers, something "Cool". The France LED Drivers are the ONLY drivers that are "True Power". What is "True Power"? In short......It means they are the ONLY LED driver in the electric sign industry that you can load to the MAX. Not the typical load to 80% - 85% leaving room for voltage loss, wiring etc. Load to MAX.....if you want. We are just a month away from releasing the Sign Industries most light/power efficient LED Module on the market that will definitely put it's mark on this industry. You'll be able to get the most light for very little cost of operation. Get more for less.....be on a 24V system which give sign shops the unique ability to load more modules on a single power supply. A 24V system is half the amperage and reduces the heat, resistance, that run across the wiring and modules compared to a 12V system, improving reliability of your LED Lighting System. With a 24V system you're not restricted to 60 Watts per channel, BUT 96 Watts.....that's almost double! Complimenting our new LED System with France's "True Power" LED Drivers and adding them to your electric sign projects you'll be able to load 120 .8w BrightON 2 LED modules. That's 76.25 Linear feet of high powered LED modules for anything from everyday channel letters to cabinet & perimeter lighting. For our High Powered Sign Cabinet Lighting module, BrightON SunFire (3w), that France "True Power" LED Driver will give you up to 32 Linear Feet for your Sign Cabinets France Lighting Solutions DRV24100E Dry & Damp Location France Lighting Solutions DRV24100A Dry, Damp & WET Location Those Sign Face Foot Candle numbers!!! Look at the "Foot Candles Per Watt" (Higher is better) Our complete High Powered High Efficient BrightON LED System with France Lighting Solutions, that's DOUBLE reliability!!! Now Available!!! France "True Power" 24V LED Power Supplies http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/store/category/22-led-power-supplies/

Brain, I would check out this National Sign & Service Forum (Link Below) for MC & Icon, there's been some interesting developments with their contract structures

Welcome Tim!!!

Can you still sip out of plastic straws Paul?

This caught me by surprise but, Eco-Tyranny continues in California. We can no longer buy denatured alcohol. This was an awesome product with many uses in the Sign Industry No more plastic straws, plates, Styrofoam....now DA

Good article. Neon's not going anywhere. All the smart companies, especially the large nationals know that Neon is one of their premium projects that make VERY good money because not many shops have the knowledge or know how to do so the competition is sooo loooow

Thanks Ric, I'll shoot you up some samples soon! You'll love em!

I split these posts off to create it's own topic because it's far too interesting to get lost in the shuffle in a LED discussion. Those are some awesome pics Frank, thanks for sharing those....oh and by all means I don't think anyone here can get tired from hearing about Neon!

Thank you guys! They say you're supposed to get wiser with age. Well......

You''re correct, it is all about finding the "right" company. We've seen & found some good ones

Thank you! Yes it is different, you have one of the earlier sample batches. Our final version has a much higher luminous efficacy, and much nicer bin. I'll drop a sample of these off to you soon

Been working with Marko on this one Gary, so you know it kicks ass. He's the engineer brain behind it.

slow payer + slow player = x x=?

So, we finally did it. It's been kicked around for months, prototypes, after prototypes and locked in on a configuration that we finally liked. As most of you know the Sign Syndicate we've been testing majority of the main stream LED's since 2008 in a unbiased benchmark comparison, tests such as "The Great White Hope....Project Tighty Whitey...Red Light District...Border Security & Blue Light Special". Over that time we've seen some characteristics that we liked, made sense, understood what will last and won't. What it means to be a High-End LED product. We have sold the NC LED's & Axioms for a few years now, as some of our favorites from the testing (Axioms no longer). But it's been time to do our own, make it more custom and more perfect for the Sign Industry. The Brighton line is made from those in the Sign Industry.....FOR the Sign Industry. It's BrightON, pronounced just like the city. So what so unique about the Brighton? For starters, we wanted it to be VERY efficient. I don't know of another more bright and efficient LED module in it's class. 155 lum/W and 124lum with a 170˙ Batwing optic lens, most importantly when it comes the sign industry the important number is 63.09 Foot Candles on a sign face per Watt The important aspects of long lasting LEDs is of course finding the "sweet spot", where it's driven just perfect for light and power. The Brighton is VERY under driven, less power, MORE light! These can be spaced out pretty far due to the optics lens, it's brighter in angles than it is straight on, or up. Under driving improves thermal performance, which extends life all while getting higher Lumens per watt. The Brighton LED is a High-End, High Performance LED module for High-End applications. For starters off the bat we will have a 2 Diode, (no need for a 3 Diode), 4 Diode, and our Sign Cabinet model 6 Diode (SunFire). Shops won't need to stock multiple module types, the Brighton-2 is so versatile, you can use it for almost anything, just adjust the spacing. It already comes with 7" inches of wire so jumping from one row to another is easy. Space the center to center at 6" for good light, 5" center for Better Light, 4" for Best Light. They're 1.7 mods/foot and work good for shallow 2" applications depending on face type to of course much deeper. Since these are driven so low, they don't generate a whole lot of heat, BUT, our Brighton-6 (2.8w) is Heatsinked on all Aluminum PCB for longer life. One of the biggest complaints we have received about LEDs when it comes to large projects like large letters or cabinets is......"We have to use so MANY Power Supplies!" A nice aspect about the Brighton is, it's a whole 24v system! Everything! As sign companies we are redistricted by the Class II regulation of no larger than 5A per channel. So 12v is restricted to 60watts, BUT....24v is restricted to 96watts. 24v will mean more modules per power supply. You're now getting almost double the amount of modules for a project. 24V cuts that amperage that runs across the wiring and module in half! It reduces the resistance, reduces the heat and most importantly IMPROVES reliability. I think we can all agree that LESS is BETTER, less moving parts, the less you have to worry. This is the first part of our Brighton Line, we'll continue to improve it widening the line and of course always always staying far ahead of the curve I'm including some rough test pics of our process and how they fair. We should have these available in the first part of Fall. And yes, we will still stock, and continue to sell NC LED Reckless LED Early Try Out's, various wattage and diode mfg's FRANCE LED POWER SUPPLIES http://www.thesignsyndicate.com/forums/index.php?/store/category/22-led-power-supplies/

The Pinellas Circuit Court reported the following activities in the suit brought by N Glantz and Son LLC against Steven Nordquist and Viscom Architectural Graphics Inc. on Aug. 21. https://flarecord.com/stories/513209259-case-activity-for-n-glantz-and-son-llc-vs-steven-nordquist-on-aug-21

How was it? And when is yours?

As a request I'm starting a poll to help those who may be looking for reviews on Sign Trucks for their next purchase. Also included in this topic will be reviews and purchase history content by those who have purchased, sold, and operate or operated the following Manufactured Sign Trucks CRANES: Elliott Altec Manitex Wilkie Radocy Skyhoist Skyhook Icrane BUCKETS / LIFTS: RH Ladder Vanladder Telelift Sponco Wilkie Skylift/Icrane Stamms Mfg Versalift Duralift Finally, please leave your positive/negative feedback you have about any Sign Truck you have had experience with. Comments or suggestions for new buyers to look out for or consider when buying a new Sign Truck

This is terrible news Bob, even worse a terrible condition. Had the pleasure of talking with Val many times on the phone and enjoyed his sense of humor. Wish I would have had the opportunity to meet Val in person. Thank you for letting us know, I'll miss our conversations as well as his presence here on the SS

NICE!

Anyone know the film or process of that fading etched glass film? Just the other day I was in an office building and saw a lobby glass window where half was etched and at the top it faded to clear (Gradient). Now have a request for it. Is it a film, printed, or did I see real sand blasted glass?

Just to give everyone an update and will be making a separate post soon. Our own new LED line is just about done and it's going to KICK ass! This process has taken a few different turns for the better, and I believe everything happens for a reason, and this is one of those results From all the testing (Great White Hope, Project Tighty Whitey, etc) we've been doing here on the SS, learning what works, what doesn't, along with finding out the needs of the US Market and Custom Sign Shops we've nailed it! Most LED lines don't address those needs. I wish I can say more but I can't until it comes out. We've carried NC LED and they've configured to our needs for the US Market, and we will continue to do carry them...they aren't going anywhere. For now, all I can say is our new Syndicate LED line will be Bright, extremely wide angle light spread, will have a superior Bin of 6500K White. Most importantly a few things....will operate HUGELY under driven, which means LONGER LIFE. It fills a HUGE void that most sign shops complain about what most LED product lines cannot do (BIG Point) Yes....it is Constant Current NOT Constant Voltage Soon to be out, a High-End LED Module line for Channel Letters, Cabinets, and General Lighting use, at the cost of most commonly used LEDs that are Mediocre. An LED Line for the Electric Sign Industry by those IN the Electric Sign Industry