Our church has a lighted neon sign that is about 25 years old. It has two transformers that each serves (4) 60" bulbs. The problem is that one of the transformers will only last a few months while the other one is an original to the sign. The lighting maintenance falls to me, but after replacing this same transformer 3 times, we hired a sign company to troubleshoot and repair it. Their transformer failed just like the others. I'm looking for troubleshooting tips for the cause of the repeated failures. Any advice is appreciated.
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neon sign troubleshooting
- Thread starter 40cpe
- Start date
fitter30
Well-known member
This might help
https://www.signsofthetimes.com/content/troubleshooting-neon-signs
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw0ZUktAxrRYzKJTmvMQsVT1
Frequently Asked Questions - Neon Transformer
Look at 3.008
https://www.signsofthetimes.com/content/troubleshooting-neon-signs
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw0ZUktAxrRYzKJTmvMQsVT1
Frequently Asked Questions - Neon Transformer
Look at 3.008
Last edited:
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Are you sure it's neon and not fluorescent?
(2 transformers powering 4 60" bulbs doesn't sound like a description for neon lamps.)
(2 transformers powering 4 60" bulbs doesn't sound like a description for neon lamps.)
Are you sure it's neon and not fluorescent?
(2 transformers powering 4 60" bulbs doesn't sound like a description for neon lamps.)
Some people do call fluorescent lighting “neon”, but that makes it harder.
Are you sure it's neon and not fluorescent?
(2 transformers powering 4 60" bulbs doesn't sound like a description for neon lamps.)
I apologize, it is fluorescent.
Thanks to fitter 30 for the links. Gives me something to go on.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Does the ballast that's working still have the marking or label on it?
Where did you buy the original replacement ballast?
I ask because it could be that the Church replaced the ballast with the wrong replacement, and the subsequent people just took the info from the wrong ballast.
Where did you buy the original replacement ballast?
I ask because it could be that the Church replaced the ballast with the wrong replacement, and the subsequent people just took the info from the wrong ballast.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Fluorescent tubes have their ID numbers printed on the ends.
If you post the info here we may be able to help you.
The # on most starts with an "F"
If you post the info here we may be able to help you.
The # on most starts with an "F"
walta
Well-known member
I think it is craze to spend money today buying ballasts. I say spend that money on upgrading to LEDs.
I have had good luck with this little kit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RYSHQQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
If you must stick with a ballast buy a Fulham product
https://www.fulham.com/product-systems/fluorescent-systems/ballasts/
If you have gone thru 3 different ballasts my guess is one of the lamp sockets is bad and is shorting out or your sign wiring does not match the drawing on your ballast.
Walta
I have had good luck with this little kit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RYSHQQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
If you must stick with a ballast buy a Fulham product
https://www.fulham.com/product-systems/fluorescent-systems/ballasts/
If you have gone thru 3 different ballasts my guess is one of the lamp sockets is bad and is shorting out or your sign wiring does not match the drawing on your ballast.
Walta
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I think it is craze to spend money today buying ballasts. I say spend that money on upgrading to LEDs.
I have had good luck with this little kit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RYSHQQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
If you must stick with a ballast buy a Fulham product
https://www.fulham.com/product-systems/fluorescent-systems/ballasts/
If you have gone thru 3 different ballasts my guess is one of the lamp sockets is bad and is shorting out or your sign wiring does not match the drawing on your ballast.
Walta
First off that stuff on Amazon is garbage. I have used some of it. Major lumen depreciation after a few years.
Second that strip is going to look like **** in a sign. You will end up with strips of light all the way across the face. The sign may even be double sided. They do make retrofit tubes for signs, they emit light 360*. I have no experience with them though.
Any of the major manufacturers make fine ballasts. Though it seems like any of the electronic ballasts have around a 10 year life.
walta
Well-known member
First off that stuff on Amazon is garbage. I have used some of it. Major lumen depreciation after a few years.
The ones I linked to have been perfect for 3 years to date now. Not everything on Amazon is garbage perhaps you made a poor choice.
Second that strip is going to look like **** in a sign. You will end up with strips of light all the way across the face. The sign may even be double sided. They do make retrofit tubes for signs, they emit light 360*. I have no experience with them though.
Not having seen the sign it is hard to say how the LED strips will look. If he ran 2 strips in place of each of the 8 bulbs. With 16 strips probably would not see streaks. If 360° light is needed, wrap the tape around the old bulbs and you are good.
Any of the major manufacturers make fine ballasts. Though it seems like any of the electronic ballasts have around a 10 year life.
Certainly that has not been 40cpe experience.
Walta