Sign Backlighting. Super Bright!

[feebes]

I have been working on computers for about 10 years and have decided to open my own retail location. The spot I have decided on is quite a bit more expensive than I wanted to spend, but its right up against a road with 55,000 cars per day driving by, and is also at a light. Basically I want there to be no question when somebody drives by that I am in business.

I have two large windows facing the road I want to partially turn into large backlit signs in the neighborhood of 4' by 3'. I have access to equipment to make as much transparent vinyl as I need to actually place on the windows, now I need a powerful backlighting system.

I am an LED n00b, but the technology intrigues me considering the lower power needs and especially the directed light. (If I use a high-power fluorescent a lot of the light doesn't travel directly through the sign and into the eyes of my potential customers.)

I like the bridgelux 2000 lumen model, perhaps running 5 of them or so behind each window. I am also considering an array of about 10-15 p7's because of its high output and efficiency.

I would love to hear any suggestions you guys have to push as much light through my signs as possible (but keep costs reasonable). I would also like to hear what you would do about heat management and power supplies. Thanks for your help.

 

[ponygt65]

IMO....try to contact local sign companies and discuss LED's in signage. They have yet to be used in my area as backlighting. I'm not sure of the reason as we dont' do sign lighting design aside from hearing that LED's haven't really hit the commercial market economically with quality.

Also, linear fluorescents do a great job if they are specified correctly. From a design standpoint, try not to over light the sign. If there is too much light it'll be more of a distraction than an advertisement.

I like the idea of LED's in signs though, since power is consumed 24/7 typically.

 

[blasterman]

I want to partially turn into large backlit signs in the neighborhood of 4' by 3'. I

I'm assuming this means the sign is translucent and you put the light source behind it -vs- lights reflecting off the sign. Correct?

Big problem here, and goes back to my days as a commercial custom printer. When you backlight a translucent picture or sign, you need a diffused source to evenly illuminate the sign. LEDs in this respect are the worst option because they'll create horribly bright hot spots and fall off circles if placed close behind the sign. To avoid this you'll need to either move the LEDs way back behind the sign (even then you still might need milk plexi to help), or have to bounce them off something.

This is why fluorescent tubes are kind of a standard for this application.

Doesn't mean you can't use LEDs. Just that putting them directly behind a translucent sign creates problems.

 

[feebes]

Yes, I think the diffusion issue is my biggest right now. I know there are materials out there that can diffuse led light, but its hard to find anything inexpensive that the kind of size I would need.

I know this kind of stuff is done, I just don't know how people do it.

 

[JohnR66]

I really think you should forget about LEDs and get a linear fluorescent sign. One F32T8 can produce nearly 3000 lumens. That will take a few expensive power LEDs to match and signs have several several tubes in them.

You really should have the sign outside and mounted higher so it can be seen above any obstructions.

 

[ponygt65]

I'm assuming this means the sign is translucent and you put the light source behind it -vs- lights reflecting off the sign. Correct?

Big problem here, and goes back to my days as a commercial custom printer. When you backlight a translucent picture or sign, you need a diffused source to evenly illuminate the sign. LEDs in this respect are the worst option because they'll create horribly bright hot spots and fall off circles if placed close behind the sign. To avoid this you'll need to either move the LEDs way back behind the sign (even then you still might need milk plexi to help), or have to bounce them off something.

This is why fluorescent tubes are kind of a standard for this application.

Doesn't mean you can't use LEDs. Just that putting them directly behind a translucent sign creates problems.

I really think you should forget about LEDs and get a linear fluorescent sign. One F32T8 can produce nearly 3000 lumens. That will take a few expensive power LEDs to match and signs have several several tubes in them.

You really should have the sign outside and mounted higher so it can be seen above any obstructions.

+1