Neon to LED Conversion

Turn your energy hungry neon channel letters or light box into brighter, more energy efficient display with neon to LED conversion. RSG can retro-fit neon-illuminated channel letters and light boxes with a low-heat, low-energy and money saving LED system.

Why Convert?

Neon signs are very costly to run and maintain. It is an antiquated system that is rapidly being replaced by new LED systems, but the question on the minds of many business owners is “why should I replace my existent neon sign with an LED one?”. 

The fact is that while neon has been the popular choice for advertising, the systems themselves are fragile, toxic, and not energy efficient. They have a shorter life span and are more expensive to operate and maintain than LED-lit systems. When in working order, a neon sign will typically require anywhere from 5,000-15,000 volts to operate and will typically last approximately 30,000 hours. Neon signs can and will fail for a number of reasons; the transformer failing due to age, shorts occurring in the wiring of the transformer, or improper voltage or amperage use. If the transformer is still good, then failure could be due to a short in the wiring of letter-to-letter/letter-to-raceway connections, or simply due to the age of the wires causing them to become brittle. Fixing the issue requires the sign tech to come out, remove the sign, take it back to the shop, diagnose it, repair it, bring it back and reinstall it. 

In comparison, LED signs are more reliable due to the updated technology and are much easier and faster to fix and diagnose. If an LED sign fails, it is due to one of two reasons; the driver (transformer) has failed, or the LED’s have failed. The repair can be diagnosed and done on site saving a considerable amount of time and money. A working LED runs off only 12 volts and will typically last 100,000+ hours cutting your operating costs down considerably. They are cooler, lighter, easier to install, more eco-friendly and more cost-effective. The bottom line here is that LED signs are a better ROI and will make for more money in your pocket.

Whether you’re looking for an all new storefront look and want LEd’s this time around, or you want to convert your existing sign or channel letters from neon to LED, RSG has got you covered. We can help design your brand new sign or perform an on-site conversion of your existing sign.

Contact us today for a quote or to receive more information on neon to LED conversions. 

Other reasons to convert neon to LED?

1) Cost saving

-LED are about on average 75 % more energy efficient then neon .

-Power supplies are about half the price of a neon transformer.

-Less parts to go bad. Which means less service calls which means more money in your pocket.

• 1 piece of neon has the glass and the two electrodes. Each electrode can go bad and cause neon not to work.
• Wire can short out from becoming old and brittle or can short out at many points going from a letter to raceway or wires connecting neon from one letter to another.
• Faster to diagnose then neon if it does go bad. Neon you have to check the transformer, every piece of neon, wiring housings etc. In a LED set up it’s either the driver (transformer) or the LED’s.
• LED can be replaced right there and then compared to neon which requires it to be fixed off site which means there is a return trip which you will have to pay for. At 125$ an hour if 1 piece of neon breaks that means your paying a minimum of $250 just to fix one piece of neon.
• Neon transformer can go bad because of age, shorts, not using the right voltage and or ma all variables which would not cause it to not work but will make it last allot less.
• Glass on the neon is very fragile can break very easily.

2) Last longer

-Neon made right should last around 30,000 hours.

-Most LED in the market last 100,000 hours plus.

3) Safety

-Operates at 12-24 volts compared to neon which can vary from 5000-15000 volts.

-Lower voltage means less maintenance. Many service calls are usually because there is a short somewhere in which instead of power going through the neon it shorts to ground which means your sign does not work makes the transformers go bad and can cause the sign to catch on fire.

 Any Cons To LED?

-After its rated life the LED will not be as bright. At that point we can come there and just change out the LED’s with new ones.

How do you get started?

1) Take a picture of your sign and give us the letter height RSG will give you a price quote to retrofit your sign.

2) Once you approve RSG will set up a time that works for you. RSG will come with all the parts and supplies to get you going. RSG will open all the letters clean all the faces take out all the neon components, wiring and clean the interior of the letters. Then install the LEDs onto the letters and the driver and put the faces back on and you’re done. RSG will dispose of all the old glass and materials.

 If you have any further questions feel free to contact us and we can better guide you to make the right choice which will best fit your needs.