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| Posted By:
westco5
@ 21 January 2010 - 11:31 PM |
Energy Efficient Channel Letters
We can plan your next illuminated channel letter or electric sign project to be more energy & light efficient, cutting the energy consumption by up to 55% over conventional constructed signs. Also, at the same time the brightness will be 30% brighter and last two to three times longer than conventional CCFL illuminated signs.
SAVING ON ENERGY
West Coast Signs specializes in using only top of the line sign components into our custom fabricated signs.
In most applications we can use energy efficient electronic transformers for our cold cathode illuminated channel letters over conventional electromagnetic transformers.
Using electronic transformers we can reduce the input current anywhere from 60%-73% over conventional magnetic transformers and LED illuminated sign systems. Which also means you can save money by stacking more electronic transformers on a single circuit instead of having to pay the expense of running additional circuits from the panel to sign locations.
In a recent proposed sign where energy consumption was a concern for a set of channel letters we laid out patterns for both Neon & LED’s for a light source. The results were staggering. For this typical sized sign after installation & measured, we had this single set with using electronic transformers at 260 watts of power and drawing 2.3 amps per sign. That is just 2 and a half 100 watt bulbs, that is just $68.00 to operate per year. With the same size sign using conventional electromagnetic transformers we got 532 watts per sign and drawing 6.75 amps. With an LED system we got 576 watts per sign and drawing 9 amps per sign.
Not only are the electronic transformers energy efficient, but they will also illuminate the CCFL lamps higher than most conventional magnetic transformers. A conventional electromagnetic 30 MA transformer operates at about 24 MA. Our select electronic transformers operate at a constant current of 30MA, or 30 MA RMS which will give a higher light output.
BRIGHTNESS
How are our channel letter sign brighter than conventional systems and our competition?
We are one of the few sign companies where our standard choice of CCFL lamps for channel letters is Tri-Phosphors for white backlit, light sources and Rare Earth phosphors for colored CCFL backlit light sources.
These are both 30%-50% brighter than standard 6500 Snow White and conventional halo phosphate coated lamps. Over time, the use of Tri-Phosphor and Rare Earth Phosphor lamps have proven to keep their illumination twice as long as conventional CCFL (neon) lamps. A properly pumped CCFL lamp will last from 15-20 years.
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| Posted By:
westco5
@ 21 January 2010 - 11:28 PM |
Electric Signs
West Coast Sign Company is a U.L. recognized custom electric sign shop and a electrical sign contractor in San Diego, California.
West Coast Sign Company specializes in specialty lighting, in our electric signs. We build high end custom electrical signs using only custom light sources that are architectural grade. Everything from custom coating Tri-Phosphor & Rare Earth phosphor lamps, to custom LED specialty lighting.
Light source components all vary and should be used according to the sign application one is building for their project. Not one light source is best used for all applications, every light source has their pro's and cons. Too many times statements are used such as, "Green" & "Energy Efficient", these are nothing more than "Marketing Statements", statements used to make the public feel "guilty", and in turn manipulating them to choose an alternative route that may/will cost them more than they will ever get back in order for them to "feel good" about themselves to. We can help in dispelling some energy & trade myths so you don't waste an initial investment in money thinking you can make that same money back in a short time in annual energy costs.
LED illuminated Reverse Channel Letters. Solare Ristorante Lounge, San Diego CA
If there is one think my industry is unfortunately guilty of, it is making their clients believe they can invest HUGE up front and make it back in a short time, NOTHING, can be further from the truth.
Some may be reading this and I'm sure you are thinking, "This is rare, who is this guy, and I've never heard of such a thing before". That is true, you probably haven't, and that is because it's a very popular thing to throw around marketing statements, especially in tough economic times, but it's what sells. Think back to right before the year 2000, every marketing statement was "Y2K complaint". Buying "Energy Efficient", is just the nuance, it's the next "sexy" term.
The TRUTH is, as discussed above, Neon, Fluorescent & LED's are ALL energy efficient products, and they are all SAFE, or as some like to label it, Environmentally Safe. If you run into a sign company and all they offer are marketing statements (by their chosen lighting component manufacturer) followed by "We use XY&Z because it's SAFE, it's Environmentally Friendly", then you are getting the wrong information from someone who, A) doesn't know what they're talking about,  they are just very ill-informed themselves, and they are just repeating what they were told.
Let's look at some common options used for sign lighting.
Fluorescent & Neon lamps do contain mercury, very small amounts and these lamps are a closed loop system which means they are ALSO 100% recyclable, and recycle back into the lighting manufacturers. Both are high voltage and can cause fires WHEN installed with no metal conduit, and this is usually done by unlicensed contractors. Both are very reliable with neon tracing back with a proven history of over 100 years. Neon & Fluorescent lamps are very good and get brighter in warm temperatures, but light output lowers in very cold temperatures, except in red neon because there is no mercury for cold conditions to condense .
LED's are low voltage, 12 or 24 volts, but the primary wiring from the panel to the power supply for LED's is still 120 volts same as other light sources. A large number of LED's are made in China. China has coal plants, coal plants put mercury in to the air. LED's are very efficient for small light applications, and very helpful in applications where other components are hard to retrofit or install. LED's are also good for very good for cold weather applications where they light the brightest, but poor for warm weather where light output lowers and circuity can fail.
Tri & Rare Earth Phosphor CCFL illuminated Reverse Channel Letters, Neighborhood House Association, San Diego
Besides manufacturing electric signs I also run tests for the electric sign industry, testing Neon, LED's and Fluorescent light sources on energy consumption as well as light degradation. Every lighting manufacturers products, I've tested it! I run them 24/7 for 365 days a year continually. I help other sign companies in my trade make better educated decisions on what they use for their sign applications so they in turn have longer life signs. I know what products sign companies use and how long they last. I only use what I've tested and to know what will last, I don't take the word of brochures, suppliers or vendors walking into my place of business.
Just remember a rule of logic "You can only get out, with what you put in".
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| Posted By:
westco5
@ 21 January 2010 - 05:40 PM |
Interior Identification Signs, Lobby & ADA Compliant Signs
Illuminated Lobby Signage
Light up your office with the brilliant and eye catching light of an interior illuminated sign that can serve as many functions. Lobby Signs, Directional Signs, Desk & Office Identifications and much more. Edge Lite Signs come in both wall and desktop bases, just plug into any wall socket and let there be light. Lengths can go from 6" to 72" and reflective light can go to 18" high from the base. Illuminated wall lobby signs come in both front illumination as well as rear (Halo). Your company name and logo can be shown off with confidence and flare to potential clients who walk into your office. A VERY powerful first impression maker.
ADA Compliant Room Identification
We can custom build ADA compliant room identification signs that are built to code and compliance with building code requirements in the Unites States, as well as special California codes Title 24.
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