Neon Replacement

[AKProbeGT]

I’m being requested to quote replacing the attached letters with either a LED retrofit or a total letter replacement. I’ve replaced some neon signs but they’ve typically had one or 2 transformers inside the building and all the wires ran to that. I haven’t been on site but from this picture it looks like 120v runs into the bottom of a transformer for each letter. Does that seem correct? I've never seen a transformer that looks like that but the customer isn't aware of any transformer located anywhere else.

 

[JBurton]

Yup, PK housings on the transformer. Rope off the area below when doing the work, those'll go right through the hood of a car with enough height. You'll just want to price out one power supply per letter, rather than pulling new leads into that primary junction.

 

[AKProbeGT]

Yup, PK housings on the transformer. Rope off the area below when doing the work, those'll go right through the hood of a car with enough height. You'll just want to price out one power supply per letter, rather than pulling new leads into that primary junction.

Thank you. Are you saying they are very heavy? We'll be working on a ladder less than 10' off the flat roof below so they couldn't fall far. That was the plan, one power supply per letter connecting to the existing 120v coming in.

 

[JBurton]

Are you saying they are very heavy?

Very, probably 15-20lbs. Just make sure you disconnect your wiring and leave an easy to reach bolt for last. It's not unwieldy, just can be surprising when you get it loose.

 

[Souldar]

Probably be cheaper and easier to do an LED retrofit. The customers electric bill will thank you too...

 

[JBurton]

He's either retrofitting leds, or new letters, presumably with leds also.

 

[AKProbeGT]

He's either retrofitting leds, or new letters, presumably with leds also.

Yes, either way this will be LEDs. Possibly a retrofit but most of the faces need replaced so it's probably going to be about the same cost for new letters versus tracing faces to make the old cans.

 

[JBurton]

If you go with new, I'd do a good survey of the electrical locations so you don't have to modify the letters, these look like they were probably all in line.
That or just a raceway and one primary wire, but then you'll have to make sure everything else is unhooked...