I found a bunch of these modules (Signaltron ST-15) at Apex Electronics near Los Angeles some years ago. They were in pretty bad shape, having been sitting outside in the rain and completely impregnated with dust + rust. Only one out of 6 worked, and the rotary switches were heavily worn. I've been working on restoring these modules, replacing the motors with new ones from McMaster Carr (involves some retrofitting), and some custom circuit boards with small optical sensors to do the same function as the rotary switch. (The optical sensors trigger a solid state relay to run the AC motor). I had to replace most of the motors, as many of them were full of metal dust stuck to the rotating permanent magnets, making them not run reliably (they'd stall and chatter). It's a work in progress..!
Used to work on Solari Udine display boards in the UK in the early seventies we built a lard display for I think London Euston Railway Station. Plus we used the clocks they manufactured. Sad they seem to have all gone now.
Thank You for making this video. The last Amtrak Solari board that I new of (Providence RI) is now gone. It had 7 lines of train informaion, and then 2 lines of free text. I am so curious how large this board must have been to have a physical switch for each character, at least on the last 2 lines of free text. If there are any Amtrak employees or anyone else who worked these boards, please tell me what was involved in those types of boards.
These were known as "ABC Flap Units" and "Solari Teleindicators" in th 1970's, according to the operations manager of a Boston television station who used them about 1975, and Solari itself.
KOOL News 10 in Phoenix (now Fox O&O KSAZ-TV) used a Solari board for its weather department as late as 1982. Both numeric modules (as seen here) and alphabetic units (with a slightly smaller, slimmer font) were usedd.
I'm still not sure how the rotary switch on the control box relates to the switch in the display and motor. I imagine the motor spins until some sort of match occurs and kills the power.
Good morning, I'm looking for someone that could produce a hanging split flap board, having 34 letters and measuring 178x25x28cm. Could you be able to produce it? Or could you please suggest a company that could do it? Write me for further information. Thank you
That is correct. Solari is a generic name for these flip signs like Kleenex is to facial tissue. This unit shown was actually manufactured by Signaltron. Solari manufacturing company of italy invented them.
I found a bunch of these modules (Signaltron ST-15) at Apex Electronics near Los Angeles some years ago. They were in pretty bad shape, having been sitting outside in the rain and completely impregnated with dust + rust. Only one out of 6 worked, and the rotary switches were heavily worn. I've been working on restoring these modules, replacing the motors with new ones from McMaster Carr (involves some retrofitting), and some custom circuit boards with small optical sensors to do the same function as the rotary switch. (The optical sensors trigger a solid state relay to run the AC motor). I had to replace most of the motors, as many of them were full of metal dust stuck to the rotating permanent magnets, making them not run reliably (they'd stall and chatter). It's a work in progress..!
I miss the old Solari boards at South Station Boston, MA..
Used to work on Solari Udine display boards in the UK in the early seventies we built a lard display for I think London Euston Railway Station. Plus we used the clocks they manufactured. Sad they seem to have all gone now.
4:04 "These go up to eleven."
They used to have that in 1970's game shows like The $10,000 - 20,000 Pyramid and Password.
TonyKanameKuran
Oh yeah, back then I thought those displays were so cool.
My favorite was "Jackpot"
I've always wanted to get my hands on one of these.
Same
Thank You for making this video. The last Amtrak Solari board that I new of (Providence RI) is now gone. It had 7 lines of train informaion, and then 2 lines of free text. I am so curious how large this board must have been to have a physical switch for each character, at least on the last 2 lines of free text. If there are any Amtrak employees or anyone else who worked these boards, please tell me what was involved in those types of boards.
they would use the board for the jerry lewis telethon until 1989
These were known as "ABC Flap Units" and "Solari Teleindicators" in th 1970's, according to the operations manager of a Boston television station who used them about 1975, and Solari itself.
And, because of the noise involved in these devices, it is said that Walter Cronkite referred to these as "Abacus boards."
KOOL News 10 in Phoenix (now Fox O&O KSAZ-TV) used a Solari board for its weather department as late as 1982. Both numeric modules (as seen here) and alphabetic units (with a slightly smaller, slimmer font) were usedd.
Excelent!
I'm still not sure how the rotary switch on the control box relates to the switch in the display and motor. I imagine the motor spins until some sort of match occurs and kills the power.
I Need 9 Of These if i can
Is there any diagram of the rotary switch of the motor and the number selector?
je veux en acheter un solariboard, mais où ?
Good morning,
I'm looking for someone that could produce a hanging split flap board, having 34 letters and measuring 178x25x28cm.
Could you be able to produce it? Or could you please suggest a company that could do it?
Write me for further information.
Thank you
Does solari stand for somthing?
I m looking to purchase a customized split flat display. Please contact. Thank you.
This is not a Solari. This is a Signaltron.
That is correct. Solari is a generic name for these flip signs like Kleenex is to facial tissue. This unit shown was actually manufactured by Signaltron. Solari manufacturing company of italy invented them.