Making Neon Energy efficient

Anything to save a buck.

Making Neon Energy efficient. Electronic ballast vs iron core type transformer.

I have neon in our windows that must be 20 to 25 years old. The neon transformers are very old. I accidentally broke one word which turned into let us clean them up and upgrade what we can.

Quote:

Older NSTs are simply iron-cored transformers, usually embedded in asphalt to reduce noise. The core either has a magnetic shunt, or a gap in the iron core, both of which serve to current-limit the output, allowing them to run indefinitely in short-circuit conditions. They can also run indefinitely with no load. Iron cored varieties are quite heavy, for example a 15 kV, 60 mA device may weigh up to 20 kg (44 lb). Some newer manufactured iron cored NSTs include a large capacitor in parallel with the output for PFC (power factor correction). This serves to correct the shift in the phase of voltage and current caused by the large inductance of the transformer.
Since the 1990s, manufacturers have been producing switch mode power supplies to power neon signs. These generate the same voltage and current ranges as iron cored transformers, but in much smaller, lighter designs at high frequency (not the common 50–60 Hz). They are gradually replacing iron cored transformers in neon signs.^[2]
All NSTs are designed to produce a high voltage starting pulse to a tube, then limit the current through the tube when it has started. This is opposite of most line transformers, which will produce full voltage to a load even if overloaded, unless the resistance of windings is too great to allow the excess current or until a winding burns out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon-sign_transformer

The neon glass bender told me what to order.

Old transformer New transformer

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/3...c5ef1014_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4233/3...268d47fb_z.jpg

Indoor Hanger Type
The Allanson Indoor Hanger type can be mounted with traditional hanging bracket or baseplate mount and it is Ground Fault Protected.
Recommended for window frame Neon Signs and indoor neon lighting applications.
Hanging bracket, enabling easier installation and dual mounting methods in indoor applications.
Secondary circuit ground fault protection, interrupting transformer output to eliminate the danger of a fire in case of an arc to ground.
Supplied with cord and plug, primary switch and secondary GTO leads, saving wiring costs during installation of your neon signs.
Sleeveless GTO # 16 AWG 15 kV, eliminates the need for additional sleeving, thus minimizes loses while operating the electrical sign.

PowRPak Solid State Power Supply
Aluma-Pak™ Outdoor
Packed in metal to work on metal, Aluma-Pak™, in its extruded aluminum case with solid fill, provides for maximum water resistance.

11/2 inch height ensures fit under any neon tube letter application. Combine that with the most advanced SGFI technology available including Auto reset bypass, LED display and 36" sleevless GTO leads, Aluma-Pak™ is your channel letter solution.

UL listed and CSA approved . Available through your local sign supply distributor.

Features & Benefits of Aluma-Pak™

Packed in metal to work on metal
Extruded case and solid fill provide maximum water resistance
The most advanced GFI technology available
Auto reset bypass and LED display
1.5” height ensures EZ-fit for under neon tube letter applications
90% lighter than equivalent
12KV Standard PBKM
36” leads, sleeveless GT015
UL listed, CSA approved

Pow-R-Pak
The first high-frequency, solid state neon power supply for outdoor and indoor use.

I pulled out my handy watt matter and took measurements

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4270/3...08b8a3f1_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4243/3...b3b73207_z.jpg

What a difference.

152 watts versus 92 watts. Just about a 39.5% savings in electricity.

The transformer was $55 dollars. I won't see savings for 24 months. Maybe I'll see a savings sooner because I am also eliminating the heat the older transformer was generating. That adds BTUs to the room which the A/C removes. In the the winter the added BTUs lowered heating cost. Go figure. :)

Old transformer	New transformer
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/3...c5ef1014_z.jpg	https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4233/3...268d47fb_z.jpg
Indoor Hanger Type The Allanson Indoor Hanger type can be mounted with traditional hanging bracket or baseplate mount and it is Ground Fault Protected. Recommended for window frame Neon Signs and indoor neon lighting applications. Hanging bracket, enabling easier installation and dual mounting methods in indoor applications. Secondary circuit ground fault protection, interrupting transformer output to eliminate the danger of a fire in case of an arc to ground. Supplied with cord and plug, primary switch and secondary GTO leads, saving wiring costs during installation of your neon signs. Sleeveless GTO # 16 AWG 15 kV, eliminates the need for additional sleeving, thus minimizes loses while operating the electrical sign.	PowRPak Solid State Power Supply Aluma-Pak™ Outdoor Packed in metal to work on metal, Aluma-Pak™, in its extruded aluminum case with solid fill, provides for maximum water resistance. 11/2 inch height ensures fit under any neon tube letter application. Combine that with the most advanced SGFI technology available including Auto reset bypass, LED display and 36" sleevless GTO leads, Aluma-Pak™ is your channel letter solution. UL listed and CSA approved . Available through your local sign supply distributor. Features & Benefits of Aluma-Pak™ Packed in metal to work on metal Extruded case and solid fill provide maximum water resistance The most advanced GFI technology available Auto reset bypass and LED display 1.5” height ensures EZ-fit for under neon tube letter applications 90% lighter than equivalent 12KV Standard PBKM 36” leads, sleeveless GT015 UL listed, CSA approved Pow-R-Pak The first high-frequency, solid state neon power supply for outdoor and indoor use.