Re: BGS in California - Why are so many of them so *** ugly?

Couple points....

Fiber optic illuminators will drive ~50' of fiber optic cable wether
side or open type fiber. To drive a longer length at 100'. You put a
driver at each end. To drive a longer piece of fiber optic cable, You
use a larger light source. As far as illumination. With a proper end
cap. You would be surprised at the lumen output. Simil to a 50w MR16
at 9 degree beamwidth. The cost 'is in the illuminator' and
specfically in the lamp. Any HID source doesn't last long. The lamps
are not cheap.

The IESNA recommends that LEDs in 'fixtures' be down rated to 50,000
hours at 70% lumen maintaince. If someone is quoting 100,000 hours
they are selling you a bridge. Now for traffic lights, A different
animal and LED. 100,000 rating is fine as they use time honored proven
5mm red and green LEDs that have been around for 20+ years Same ones
used in edge lit EXIT signs.

LED vs Neon. Neon wins on initial cost. LED wins on cost of ownership.
Go to iLight technologies. I defy anyone to put a red neon agaisn't a
LED plexineon strip and say which one is brighter. As far as bending
and lettering. You would be surprised at the bending capabilities of
LED strip. Even seen the lettering on a Krispy Kreme shop, Bruggers
bagles, Dairy Queen? LED.....

Try looking at photoluminance signage. Think glow in the dark. This
technology is used on EXIT signs in nonpowered area's of building.

Ps - If you still talking about using Mercury Vapor for lighting or as
a reference as a light source. You a wee bit out of time. Mercurcy
Vapor is a dead animal, Ballast can't be OEM anymore. It's such a mono-
cromatic light source its only use is for sea turtles and telescopes
so the astronomer can slip a single filter into the lens and filter /
cancel out the light tresspass from the light source.

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