Backlighting a sign

[Rixter58]

I've got a sign that I'm going to hang above my compressor that I'd light to backlight when power is on to the compressor therefore serving a practical purpose as well as being decorative. Sign is 7' 3" in diameter. I'd like plenty of light behind it, but I'd also like the light to be even. Thinking of going with a circular florescent. Any other ideas? You can kind of see the sign in the pic.

 

[rsanter]

LED strip light or rope light

bob

 

[LSU]

LED strip light or rope light

bob

+1 on the light rope. I'd suggest you go to a "professional" lighting store (as opposed to HD or Lowe's). Better seclection. You'll be amazed what's available.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Ikea has a cheap option.

 

[Rixter58]

would you elaborate Jack?

 

[jhelrey]

Ebay had tons of LED rope lights for stupid cheap. Might be a month before you get it from China.

 

[Jack Olsen]

would you elaborate Jack?

Sorry. If you're near an Ikea, they have pretty inexpensive LED rope light.

 

[Rixter58]

I thought about rope light.....but where the sign is deeper in the center it occurs to me that the center might be dimmer......but then again, what do I know?

 

[wintermute]

I thought about rope light.....but where the sign is deeper in the center it occurs to me that the center might be dimmer......but then again, what do I know?

build a frame inside to hold the lights at a consistent distance?
You might also be able to stagger a series of linear fluorescents within the oval. what's inside the can now? or is it just the face of the sign?

 

[Brad54]

A pair of 2-tube 4-ft flourescent tube lights with a diffuser panel between the bulbs and your sign's face.

-Brad

 

[James E]

You may be overthinking this. I'd bet up on the post or the side of the building, those signs originally had straight fluorescents in them. It's probably opaque enough that it wouldn't be obvious.

I'd try a couple cheap, straight fixtures first. You may be pleased with the result.

That's a cool sign, by the way. I'm looking for something similar for my garage.

 

[Scream5]

It looks like it was originally an illuminated sign so evenly spaced flourescent tube lights are what you want to use. Rope light wont be bright enough. As per Brad54 you'll need a diffuser if there isn't one.

 

[Jagmandave]

I think what you're saying is that the sign will only be lit when the compressor is running, reminding you that you left it on?

In that case, you don't want flourescents as you don't want to be constantly turning them on and off, however I doubt the rope lights will give you the illumination you're looking for, so.....

Either just put it on a switch and turn it on when you want it on, or use a different type illumination.

You could put a pilot light on the compressor pretty inexpensively to give you a visual if you need it.

 

[Rixter58]

Its just the face of the sign. To clarify, it will light when there is power TO the compressor, so it will be lit both when the compressor is running and when it isnt as long as the breaker is on.

 

[Rixter58]

So abandon my circular florescent idea?

 

[Jagmandave]

How big is it?

I think a circular flourescent might work fine, if it was centered in the sign. I'd put a wall switch on it too, for those odd times when you might want the compressor on and the light off. One more thing, when the compressor runs it might make the light strobe slightly.....mine does.

 

[EricS]

You'll find florescent your best bang per buck.Once you factor in the cost of the LEDs and power supply unit,a rough rule I used was 10 to 1 for cost.That is a large area to light evenly without 'hot spots'.
How deep is the sign? The greater the distance from the face to the lamps the greater the distance between lamps you can get away with.As suggested a diffuser panel works wonders.Using clear plexi which is air sanded with 220 grit paper seems to work.Having the back surface a reflective white surface will help.
Make up a sample diffuser and you can experiment with the spacing between the lamps and also how far away the diffuser needs to be.
If you have a sheet metal brake you can easily make up the lamp holders keeping the profile low and allowing you to place the lamps to suit.

Eric

 

[EricS]

How big is it?

I think a circular flourescent might work fine, if it was centered in the sign. I'd put a wall switch on it too, for those odd times when you might want the compressor on and the light off. One more thing, when the compressor runs it might make the light strobe slightly.....mine does.

The sign is 7' 3" diameter...

 

[oilslick]

I have the same sign mounted to the front of my dads shed, it origanally had a mercury vapor 150 watt bulb in the center, I jury rigged a damaged drop light with a 26watt cfl and a timer, been this way for 6 months no problem and is lit very well in the dark however to see in a well lit shop will require more watts. Mine came from a neighbor who takes out underground tanks, he got it from local station and had it in his back lot for 10yrs, I asked for it and he said take it! one half was missing and it does have a small crack but is cool anyway, the rest of the sign has since been scrapped though I did save the aluminum edge that held it to the frame. Oh and now the station owner says I stole it. You can see it from the highway and I think it is cool so I am keeping it.

 

[Jagmandave]

Wow, 7' across! If you want it to really show up I don't think one circular bulb is going to do it....IIRC those big signs had about 4 bulbs mounted vertically inside the housing.....

 

[83Earnhardt]

Why don't you do what my sign has. i have a 76 sign that is 8'+ and it was double sided until one side cracked. It has a full frame with 8' fluorescent lights inside. By the way, I'm trying to sell mine.

 

[Rixter58]

One of the big box stores (I forget which) has a bigger circular (24" maybe) with a diffuser that I'm tempted to try. I need it to be light enough to remember to turn the power to the compressor off and light enough to enjoy. That said, it doesnt have to be the big orange ball in the sky that you could see for several miles like when it was at a truck stop. I'd really like to only wrestle this thing once as I have to ask for help to get it ino place and I HATE asking for help.