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Thoughts & Experiences using LED’s please?
I know we are a bit backward with the times here, but we want to start using LED’s in our boxes now, both external and internal. I just need to know what are peoples opinion of them and are they as fantastic as people make out?
Thanks
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12 Replies
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hi there, what do you mean by boxes?
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I was reading in Sign directions yesterday about a framework of LEDs that unfolds and can be placed inside a lightbox. The results are by far better than tubes and according to the report they will last up to 11 years.
Karl.
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i know the ones you mean Karl, that’s one of the reasons i was asking what he meant by box mate. you can get edge lit illuminated menu boxes and various other types all illuminated by LED’s. I haven’t used these ones but used a few of the others for built-up letters and the like.
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Rob- Suppose I was a little vague in the title – ‘LED’S’ thanks for a better description.
Where I work, we are part of an in house sign team in an airport and as you can imagine we have a lot of light boxes and reading up on the internet and the like there is a lot of information out there. We are at present due to the big green issues and costs looking into replacing the tubes in boxes with the LED system so I was just after hearing peoples thoughts and views as whether we buy them made up or go for the kit forms out there?
Thanks for any advice.
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hm.. just thinking outloud…
Say you got a boxes already installed, if your ripping tubes and transformers out, wouldn’t it cause a lot of waste? (green issue)
Ok, waste accepted. Would a lot of bright white LED’s generate more power then a bank of Tube bulbs. Once a tube light is up to power it should actually remain relatively cheap to run in terms of Wattage I think.
LED is lo-power but some of these hi-Bright LED’s do require some careful power arrangements.
Correct me if I wrong people, just my thoughts.
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Hi Stuart
I no Amari have started stocking a new LED system just for light boxes, I have an appointment with them on Friday for a demo I will post with my findings.
Neil
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Dave – Thanks for the thoughts this is what I want to know. It is one of the things we are looking into what the power consumption would be in comparison to the existing tubes.
We would only want to start changing to LED’s if it works out cost effective and saves electric. Also when the tubes are coming to the end of their life and they are changed during annual maintenance would we consider changing them.
Neil – I have looked at Ashby, so maybe Amari are doing something similar.
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Drawing from my limited experience using LED’s ( anyones welcome to correct me ) but I still don’t think the industry is there yet, in terms of producing an LED Solution that is as cost effective and as bright as Daylight tubes when it comes to illuminating large areas.
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Hi,
I work for a manufacturer so I have to be careful about being biased.
Here are some thoughts when comparing LED into Box signs
Expected life – A good LED system should give you 50k hrs and only experience 30% loss of life. This is about 11 years of life at 12 hrs a day. A FLU typically has 15k hrs and is measured differently, the lighting industry measures FLU life as 50% mortality, that means after 15k hrs half will be dead
Light output – Yes, FLU is brighter, but only at room temperature. FLU was designed for indoor use and at 21 degrees C you will get 100% light output. At 15 degrees C the same FLU will be approx 40% dimmer, at 0 degrees it will be approx 6o% dimmer. Make sure you compare brightness outside and on an average night winter and summer.
Energy consumption – between 40% and 60% less when compared to FLU.
Warranty – A good LED system will have 4 to 5 years warranty. FLU is typically 1
Reliability – Make sure you stick to the large branded household names, they have a reputation to keep and generally produce good product
And finally, LED in light boxes only really makes sense when the box is located in difficult to reach areas. Energy consumption savings alone do not really push end users hard enough to make the change, but, when combined with maintenance savings the payback looks better. If your box is going to be located above a shop and a step ladder can be used to swap out the lamps then don’t bother with LED. But, if that same box is located on top of a building, busy street or any difficult to reach area then the cost of replacing tubes becomes high and the LED solution looks much more attractive.
I hope this helps.
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Hi there, http://www.led.com checkout tetra power grid model.
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well that last post isnt going to last long I guess. :lol1:
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RobrgGray – thanks for the info much appreciated
🙂
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