Neon sign power supply question ????

[Sparkey]

Hi

I'd like to replace the power supply for a window sized neon sign.

On the outside of the unit I'd like to replace, it says "output 6.5KV
" @ 30ma

I found a power supply on line with the same sized box and same part #
( Me-120-9000-30 ) but this one has an output of 9KV (so it says)

Does anyone know if there's wiggle room in the voltage specs for these
neon signs or do I need to stick with the exact numbers given.

I don't know if the neon will be "forgiving" of the 9KV or will I
launch this thing into the stratosphere ?

Thanks, as always,

Spark

 

[PeterD]

On Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:02:49 -0800 (PST), Sparkey <wwspage@aol.com>
wrote:

Hi

I'd like to replace the power supply for a window sized neon sign.

On the outside of the unit I'd like to replace, it says "output 6.5KV
" @ 30ma

Outside of the unit, or the powersupply (or is the power supply
'bare'?)

I found a power supply on line with the same sized box and same part #
( Me-120-9000-30 ) but this one has an output of 9KV (so it says)

I find it odd that the same part number from the same maker has two
different ratings. Same maker, right? Look at that number, it is more
specifications than an arbitrary number. 120 (input voltage) 9000
(output voltage) 30 (milliamp). Also do they both look the same or
not?

Does anyone know if there's wiggle room in the voltage specs for these
neon signs or do I need to stick with the exact numbers given.

I don't know if the neon will be "forgiving" of the 9KV or will I
launch this thing into the stratosphere ?

Just in case, setup a good video camera. If nothing else, great
you-tube entertainment! <bg>

Thanks, as always,

Spark

 

[Samuel M. Goldwasser]

Sparkey <wwspage@aol.com> writes:

Hi

I'd like to replace the power supply for a window sized neon sign.

On the outside of the unit I'd like to replace, it says "output 6.5KV
" @ 30ma

I found a power supply on line with the same sized box and same part #
( Me-120-9000-30 ) but this one has an output of 9KV (so it says)

Does anyone know if there's wiggle room in the voltage specs for these
neon signs or do I need to stick with the exact numbers given.

I don't know if the neon will be "forgiving" of the 9KV or will I
launch this thing into the stratosphere ?

Neon sign transformers are supposed to be constant current devices, so they
will adapt to how many feet and how much voltage the neon sign requires,
but still provide the same current (30 mA in this case).

So I would think it should be OK.

Any of the neon sign Web sites should be able to tell you about how much
voltage is required for a given number of feet of a particular type sign.

--
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Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
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| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

 

[whit3rd]

On Jan 22, 10:02 am, Sparkey <wwsp...@aol.com> wrote:

 I'd like to replace the power supply for a window sized neon sign.

On the outside of the unit I'd like to replace, it says "output 6.5KV
" @ 30ma

I found a power supply on line with the same sized box and same part #
( Me-120-9000-30 )  but this one has an output of 9KV (so it says)

Does anyone know if there's wiggle room in the voltage specs for these
neon signs or do I need to stick with the exact numbers given.

If it has the same part number, it should work. Neon 'transformers'
have a current/voltage relationship that isn't described by any
single current-voltage quantity, so the 'ratings' number is a kind
of fiction. The '6.5 kV' could be AC volts, the '9kV' could be
peak voltage (which is also important).

I'd think in terms of contacting a sign shop for this kind of thing,
myself; there might be more than a part replacement that could
benefit your installation, and it's reassuring to have a pro
to handle the kilovolts issues. There also might be
upgrades that will improve on the original power unit.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

So... If I understand this article correctly...

Neon transformers are designed to deliver a more or less constant current to
the tube. Therefore (???), the rated current load is a more-important spec
than the rated output voltage.

Also, the "G factor" (hmmm...) would explain why the same transformer has
two different voltage ratings.

 

[PeterD]

On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:56:56 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

So... If I understand this article correctly...

Neon transformers are designed to deliver a more or less constant current to
the tube. Therefore (???), the rated current load is a more-important spec
than the rated output voltage.

Also, the "G factor" (hmmm...) would explain why the same transformer has
two different voltage ratings.

Well, since the OP has not come back, we may never know!

 

[Sansui Samari]

On Jan 23, 12:16 pm, whit3rd <whit...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Jan 22, 10:02 am, Sparkey <wwsp...@aol.com> wrote:

 I'd like to replace the power supply for a window sized neon sign.

On the outside of the unit I'd like to replace, it says "output 6.5KV
" @ 30ma

I found a power supply on line with the same sized box and same part #
( Me-120-9000-30 )  but this one has an output of 9KV (so it says)

Does anyone know if there's wiggle room in the voltage specs for these
neon signs or do I need to stick with the exact numbers given.

If it has the same part number, it should work.  Neon 'transformers'
have a current/voltage relationship that isn't described by any
single current-voltage quantity, so the 'ratings' number is a kind
of fiction.  The '6.5 kV' could be AC volts, the '9kV' could be
peak voltage (which is also important).

I'd think in terms of contacting a sign shop for this kind of thing,
myself; there might be more than a part replacement that could
benefit your installation, and it's reassuring to have a pro
to handle the kilovolts issues.  There also might be
upgrades that will improve on the original power unit.

Another advantage to a sign shop, is they may have an old one of these
transformers laying around for a fraction of the price you would find
online through ebay and the like. I use them to drive testla coils,
and I've gotten great deals through sign shops. I've always used
nst's for ballz out operation. But I believe, the higher voltage
should force the system to operate at a lower current. The following
link should give a good explanation...

http://www.iaei.org/magazine/?p=4114

-J

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 1/24/2010 5:34 AM PeterD spake thus:

On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:56:56 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

So... If I understand this article correctly...

Neon transformers are designed to deliver a more or less constant
current to the tube. Therefore (???), the rated current load is a
more-important spec than the rated output voltage.

Also, the "G factor" (hmmm...) would explain why the same
transformer has two different voltage ratings.

Well, since the OP has not come back, we may never know!

I only hope his "handle" doesn't mean what it sounds like it means ...


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

 

[Sparkey]

On Jan 24, 4:32 pm, David Nebenzahl <nob...@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/24/2010 5:34 AM PeterD spake thus:

On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:56:56 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
grizzledgee...@comcast.net> wrote:

So... If I understand this article correctly...

Neon transformers are designed to deliver a more or less constant
current to the tube. Therefore (???), the rated current load is a
more-important spec than the rated output voltage.

Also, the "G factor" (hmmm...) would explain why the same
transformer has two different voltage ratings.

Well, since the OP has not come back, we may never know!

I only hope his "handle" doesn't mean what it sounds like it means ...

--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

Actually, the original manufacturer of the part is Neonpro, the
replacement
I found online is a different company. The same part #, same
dimensions, same specs
(except for the output volts)....

I'm asking about this because I don't want to live up to my handle !
(at least not this time)

he-he-he

Spark

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Thanks for the advice. I may even take the YouTube
suggestion. If it ignites, I can still get a good laugh
while I'll eat the cost of the replacement.

You should definitely have a camcorder running when you power up, preferably
one running at several hundred frames per second.

If anything blows, it's far more likely to be the neon tube. Don't forget to
put an appropriately sized fuse in series with the transformer primary.

 

[Sparkey]

On Jan 24, 7:28 pm, Sparkey <wwsp...@aol.com> wrote:

On Jan 24, 4:32 pm, David Nebenzahl <nob...@but.us.chickens> wrote:



On 1/24/2010 5:34 AM PeterD spake thus:

On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:56:56 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
grizzledgee...@comcast.net> wrote:

So... If I understand this article correctly...

Neontransformers are designed to deliver a more or less constant
current to the tube. Therefore (???), the rated current load is a
more-important spec than the rated output voltage.

Also, the "G factor" (hmmm...) would explain why the same
transformer has two different voltage ratings.

Well, since the OP has not come back, we may never know!

I only hope his "handle" doesn't mean what it sounds like it means ...

--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

Actually, the original manufacturer of the part is Neonpro, the
replacement
I found online is a different company. The same part #, same
dimensions, same specs
(except for the output volts)....

I'm asking about this because I don't want to live up to my handle !
(at least not this time)

he-he-he

Spark

The Maker of the replacement I've looked at is Neonex, not a Neonpro.

Anyway, after much consideration, I've decided to go with the
replacement.

They both have the 120-9000-30 part number which really appears to be
the specs as well.
(120v 9000v 30ma)

Thanks for the advice I may even take the you tube suggestion.
If it ignites, I can still get a good laugh while I'll eat the cost of
the replacement.