Neon Light Experts?

[ndemge]

My BIL has a neon beer light with a broken glass..<br /><br />If you hit the switch, it will flicker on for just a second.<br /><br />There are lots of wires going to the differnt pieces of neon. On the "mardigras" part of the light, a piece of glass is broken.<br /><br />How do these things work??? I took the boot off that connects that part of the light to the wire, disconnected it, no change. Is there 2 problems going on?<br /><br />

 

[ndemge]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

This is the broken piece:<br /><br />

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

I'm hardly a 'neon light expert', but I can give you some insight. Neon signs work by putting high voltage thru a gas filled tube. The voltage ionizes the gas and it glows. Different gasses give off different wavelengths of light (colors). If the tubes are broken, no gas (open circuit) , won't glow. The neon sign transformers produce thousands of volts , but at small current levels, say 20-50 ma.<br />At those voltages , it will really wipe the smile off of your face, be careful. You can have the sign repaired at a neon glass shop, but , as to the cost, I didn't have a clue. As a last resort you can still use the transformer to make a Jacob's ladder and wow your friends. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine gave me a broken sign to do just that. I guess he likes the visual of 'lightning climbing the wires'.<br /><br />Here's just one link for more info: Link <br /><br />To wit:<br /><br />TURN OFF A MALFUNCTIONING NEON SIGN!<br />A flickering or otherwise faulty neon circuit puts a heavier load on the transformer powering it, shortening its life as well. Transformers which overheat because of shorts or arcing in faulty high voltage circuits are a common cause of fire , and you should call for sign repair promptly when you see a problem. Because of this, you would also be using very good judgment if you switched off the malfunctioning neon sign until it has been repaired.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Was wondering what could be done to bypass that part of the light. Could a jumper be put between the 2 wires that feed that part of the light with a resister inline to act as if it the bulb ws good?

 

[heyttown]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Be careful anytime you are working with the electrical side of a neon sign, as stated it has very high voltage off of that transformer,which in turn lights up the gas......Best bet would be to find a sign shop or neon shop, they may be able to fix the broken glass and refill the gas for fairly cheap.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Noel,..<br /><br />Neon is wired with a cable that looks like stranded copper sparkplug cable.........<br />To Cob that light to work,.. You'll need to jumper Around the broken piece......<br />It'll change the load on the transformer, But it'll last awhile.......<br /><br />Replacement tubes are Not Cheap... Most commercial SignShops either bend glass, or have a contact who does.......<br /><br />I worked for a SignShop for a couple years....<br />The ZAP was never as bad as the Potential Fall from the sign...........<br />Kinda like holding on to a Sparkplug Wire.....With the Engine Running of course............

 

[cajun555]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

If I remember, the secondary voltage is 10 to 15 K. It does hurt if you get into it.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Thanks guys... Bondo... Should I be putting a resistor inline when jumping the bad glass? To Put the transformer back to normal load?<br /><br />I noticed that it was basically spark plug wire, givin the high voltage, Probably just use a piece of plug wire to make the jumper and cover with the thick boot that is there now.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Noel,<br />The Voltage used on any particular sign is based on the total Length,+ Diameter of the Tubes.....<br /><br />You Can't Under-power a sign,.... It'll Blink,+ flash,+ Not really light up.........<br /><br />Over-powering is of little or No consequence....<br />A 15,000V transformer will run a 6,000V circuit,... But it Won't work the other way around.....<br /><br />It's a Simple Circuit...... Don't Complicate it.........

 

[ndemge]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

But I WANNA complicate it!<br /><br />I WANNA I WANNA I WANNA!<br /><br />Thanks for the help. I'll let ya know how it turns out... (and if I fry myself)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Noel,....<br />On a side note,...<br />I believe that You were involved with a conversation within the last year or so,..<br />About Refilling Small Propane tanks, off of 20lbers, using a refill adapter,....<br />Whether the OPD would have any Issues with the Process..............<br /><br />Well,...<br />I'm Pleased to say,..<br />I Filled 16, 1lbers out of a 20lber, with the OPD,......<br />And, There were No Issues At All.........<br /><br />It Works the Exact Same way as Without the OPDs..........

 

[ndemge]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Bondo... Did it actually allow liquid to enter the 1lb or just vapor at tank pressure?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Liquid.............<br /><br />Just Exactly like Before the OPDs...........

 

[achris]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

I'll show my ignorance here. What's an OPD?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Overfill... <br /> Protection... <br /> Device...<br /><br />It seems that a few years ago,....<br />Some Politician with a Friend in the Brass Valve Business found that they could Totally Refit the Propane Industry, for Mucho Profit, if there was a Law stating that Every tank HAD to have a New Safer valve.......<br />So,... He Wrote the Law.............<br /><br />Or,.....<br />It's a Elitist Liberal Conspiracy to Force Us to figure out ways to Defeat these New Safer Can't Spill, Can't Leak, POS Valves.......<br /><br />In other words,.........<br />Common Sence is Out the Window,............<br />And, Engineered Safety is Best for Us..........

 

[ndemge]

Re: Neon Light Experts?

Will have to start saving the 1lb bottles