How to Convert Vintage Flourescent Advertising Lights to LED
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- In this episode Mike goes over the process for converting two old advertising signs that were once lit by ballast style Fluorescent lights. This process requires very little tools and skills and can be used on any type of fluorescent lights but is especially great for restoring vintage lights that are cheap or would normally get thrown away.
Hi Mike, hi Matt,
Often times, the clock mechanisms in old signs or cars can just have the gears cleaned and oiled again for them to work. Most have NEVER been serviced and have become filled with grit and grime as well as the oil has hardened.....take the mechanism off, clean the gears, re-oil it and it should come back to life.....same thing with car clock....most are just in need of a good gear cleaning to remove the accumulated dirt in the gears and do a proper oiling to get them to work again.
Mike. your LED sign conversion is a great idea but you can go even a bit more inexpensive with more options in brightness and color by using strip LEDs and 12 volt or 5 volt power supplies you might have stashed in corners around the shop or your basement house from small electronics that no longer work or are not powerful enough for your requirements. you can even find the power supplies at salvation army stores for basically next to nothing. the strip LEDs are cheap from Aliexpress. If you're unfamiliar with them and their use there's tons of videos on UA-cam about how to use em.
George
The clocks actually works!!! I misunderstood Matt during a conversation, I need to open it up and re-wire it. Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG
Thank you very much for explaining that, George. I was going to but you beat me to it!
Hey guys, just saw a real clean, complete 26 T coupe for Andrew on eBay. Starting bid 3300 with no reserve. It's in Illinois. Not too from PA ha. 3 days left, check it out. Love the show fellas, keep it up!
Awesome we will be sure to check it out!! -Mike/ITG
Nice job on the signs would have liked to see the shop lights any old lights are cool and
when restored look great . I liked the fuel pump lights you done a video on top job any videos on
these types on restore's are cool ,lights ,tools ,cars ,etc all thumbs up. Would be nice to see the clock motor working don't swap it out with a bit of cleaning it should come back to life.
I couldnt find any old photos of the light fixtures. If you look at our shop tour video part 1 there is good before and after shots. We are going to be mixing in more small restoration projects from now on! The clock actually works, I misunderstood Matt during an earlier conversation!!! Haha. Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG
Thanks for this video. I've had this idea for a while
Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG
Good job Mike..
Thanks for watching! -Mike/ITG
The Quaker State sign should B set to Beer Thirty !!!
It actually works! I just misunderstood Matt in conversation! -Mike/ITG
I have a similar clock and I'm trying to do the same thing as you. I couldn't see what wires you were connecting where. I'm guessing you wired the circular LED fixture like you have has a 4 prong plug with 4 wires. Were did you connect those 4 wires? Or did you just wire 2 of them straight to the 110V power supply and cap off the othere 2? Or did you splice all 4 wires into the 110V power supply? Little help, Thanks Kevin
Plastic milk jug is an awesome diffuser for small LEDs, maybe someone can use that info to source something bigger
Killer idea!! We will have to remember that! -Mike/ITG
Got a Shell gas light up sign, inside it has a ton of individual LEDs wired to one another. It uses a power supply box. I replaced the box thinking it could be bad, I'm getting current but the LEDs are not coming on. What could it be?
Thanks for this video! Found an old Miller sign on eBay and followed your video to convert it to LED as a gift for my boyfriend. Works great, and the advice about which bulb to get was helpful.
Glad it helped!!
This is such an awesome video!! I collect old lighted advertising signs and lighted advertising clocks and have always had issues with loud, buzzing ballasts, etc. I've just recently wondered about converting them to LED and came across this video! This is extremely helpful!! Thanks!!
The Quaker State sign is a little too bright. You can definitely see the white ring and it drowns out the writing to a point. I would have put a little more of a diffuser in front of the bulb to tone down the brightness. Other than that, looks great.
In person you actually cant see it. I believe its just how the camera picks it up. Thanks for watching! -Mike/ITG
Hi Mike/ Matt , Here in the UK, I have been steadily converting several of my old advertising signs to LED with great results as more compatible LED bulbs become available.As Geo B has said, in most cases , the synchronous mains electric clock movements( yours 110 volt, 60 Hz ) simply require a service, where the motor rotor is stuck in hardened grease as are the gears after 60 years or more, I have some 1930s variants, all working again faultlessly after 3 years, one is outside under a car port and never missed a beat !.Try cleaning thoroughly and re-apply a small amount of light purpose silicone grease. I would try and avoid replacing the movements with quartz ones unless absolutely necessary as the majority were so well made, they will live another 2 or 3 generations without complaint !.If it is beyond repair, I would leave the parts carefully stored within the casing , future generations will thank you !.Love your channel, best wishes.
The clock actually does work, I misunderstood Matt during a conversation!! I am going to open it up and rewire the clock. Thank you for the info though it is greatly appreciate it!! - Mike/ITG
old fluorescent lights are so cool, especially the pre heat ones. but any of the old ones with magnetic ballasts will last forever.
Yes I enjoyed this fix. Would also like to see hand tool restoration. You guys rock! Newk from Kentucky
Thanks for watching Newk!! -Mike/ITG
Where can I get a 9-inch LED tube light? I've tried at ACE, Lowe's, a local electrical supply store, and online without luck.
Sweet fellas...good job sparky! I just refurbished an old Miller clock weekend before last.
Awesome man! I collect beer memorabilia so you have my attention! -Mike/ITG
Where did you get the LED bulb from? I need a 9-inch one.
Where on the internet! Thanks
Great info, I didn't know you could get a round led.
Its kind of an odd ball light. I was having finding an led for it at first. It looks alot better in person!! -Mike/ITG
@@IronTrapGarage Where to get a 9-inch LED tube?
That's kool
Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG
Cool tips!
Thanks Brett! -Matt/ITG