double-sided LED conversion

[tulsagraphics]

Hey all!

What's the best way to convert this over to LED? LED sticks seem like the obvious answer, but from what I've seen around my town -- they only look half decent for a year, terrible after 3+ years, and downright shameful after 5+ years.

Do all sticks suck? Do they need to be replaced "frequently"? Or are there some really nice quality ones out there? Any recommendations?
(this sign is about 4ft wide with a depth of ~10")

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I build my own out of 3/4" aluminum square tube. Mount them to brackets made of angle so they stay in place.

 

[visual800]

I have taken .063 aluminum scraps and cut them down to 1.5" wide and tap screwed then in the sides and run leds on those....make some 90 degree bends on each end and they worked awesome

 

[JBurton]

Or channel letter coil, folded into a 90 long ways, makes for a very economical piece of angle. Also lots less waste on a sheet, and a lot smaller stock footprint. For new builds we just weld in the sticks, shameful as that may be...
We usually buy principal synergy or deep sticks.
One I got pretty excited about until my distributor went back to principal, causing them to drop this product line, was everylite flash. They sell modules mounted to clips, you buy 1/2" tubing, clip these one, secure a couple with a screw, and now you have whatever stick length you needed.

 

[tulsagraphics]

Square tubing and L brackets for install. I can handle that.

I really like those (nearly obnoxious) bright whites like you see with -- for example -- Verizon's channel letters. So clean and crisp. Do you have a preference on brand and series? And do manufacturers offer spacing guidelines?

I buy pretty much everything through Reece (as you may already know, they sell GE and Principal)

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Their signs are bright. Wonder if it's a different LED or do they just pack them in there?

 

[tulsagraphics]

Their signs are bright. Wonder if it's a different LED or do they just pack them in there?

I'm half tempted to get a look in there! *cough* accidental site survey at the wrong address *cough*