I figure I have been lurking around forever and gleaning some good information from everyone - I had better take the time to share some as well.
This is a 5' x 12' aluminum cabinet, 2" aluminum tubing welded for the frame and the .063 panels are attached with Lords adhesive and routed flush with a trim bit. The letters are 2" HDU with Sintra centers.
This was a Govt job so they were all for trying the solar system which was about half the cost of digging up the driveway. Solar and Seattle dont seem to mix but its a monster battery in there so it can go several days without a good charge.
If I could do it over again I would paint the edges of the letters darker for better contrast, I dont think I have done a sign yet I was totally happy with. I guess I better keep on till I do
Posted by Ryan Long (Member # 5881) on :
Kudos on the solar system...keep us updated on how it works out!
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Well done- is possible theft of the solar panel an issue? Here we wouldn't be game to have a panel so close to the ground...
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Really nice Brian, and like Ryan said,...kudos on the solar panel. We gotta keep this planet green!
Peace out, Bob
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Very nice job on the whole setup. Alot of this type of signs looks generic at times. This one looks really eye catching. Good one Brian!
Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :
Very nice Brain. That is one to be proud of!
Posted by Joe Endicott (Member # 628) on :
Looks Great! I agree with you about the returns on the main copy...sometimes you just don't see it 'til you have it up. Two inch is pretty beefy, but it fits the message well.
I need to get some info on the solar setup....I make signs on a Navy Base, and they would love to be able to get power without digging up everything....especially if it's cheaper. Would you mind directing me to a website or sharing a phone number?
Posted by Brian Stoddard (Member # 39) on :
Sure thing, I bought it from an online guy who sounded like a small operation that was simply turning the product - www.mrsolar.com - I was pretty frustrated when the delivery was a week late and then was told it would be several more weeks.
The system is great though, the learning curve is not too bad but I did not get any literature with it at all so I had to look up the components individually online.
Whatever you do - dont buy into one of those cheapo systems that uses the LED spot lights and AA batteries - that is what I recieved the first time without knowing it. The company just took some stock solar panels and hacked them into some retrofitted spot lights - worthless.
I think this setup was around $2k but its the only way to go. I can help you with anything specific if you need it, just let me know.
Posted by Joe Endicott (Member # 628) on :
Thanks for the info, Brian. I think this would be a great solution for a project in the near future.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
