Neon the Future!
26/07/2018
Update August 2020
It seems and in fact is a long time since the last comments on this. In August 2020 with all the other world and life changing things going on it has not been easy to get further with the Econeon movement, but to date we have, we think all glass shops registered and the information is being collated. Hopefully soon things can move again, so for now we can only suggest to watch this space and keep promoting neon. It is good for you and the industry as a whole.
Again, Please email us if you have any comments or suggestions on enquiries@sign-tec.co.uk
Update August 28th 2019.
It seems that we now have most of the glass manufacturers interested and offering details of operation in their shop. No information is intended to be shared at this point until the Econeon brand is established and people can then use the logo and weight it is hoped this will carry.
This is really good news and the information is now with the Econeon group to progress further.
It is hoped that by keeping with the procedures that the Econenon group is intending to publicise, neon can be seen as a very green main signage source with documented recycling and manufacturing procedures.
Please email us if you have any comments on enquiries@sign-tec.co.uk
Looks like this is a good time to light the afterburner
Sure you have all seen the stories going around regarding mercury usage etc. As usual there are the Chinese whispers, the half truths and much speculation.
The European Sign Federation have made several statements which you can search on Google and for the moment all mercury containing tube lighting products are safe. So long as they are above 1000 Volts. The 1000V and under range are due to be banned after December 2018.
This of course, as you are no doubt aware does not affect neon only products, as there is no mercury in it.
It would seem that there may be a need to start registering glass working shops to promote "responsible" manufacturing and in particular handling of mercury.
No idea what shape or form this may take, but keep an eye open for news and try to support or lobby any efforts that are being made to keep the industry going.
If possible, try to engage sympathisers of neon, customers that love it and any others to raise the profile again.
Suggest to others to join LinkedIn and contribute. The group for neon is here - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8470026
LinkedIn features well in Google and other search engines, so the more activity and comments there are the more the profile is raised in search engines.
The old saying of all publicity is good publicity, still holds true today.
DMX dimming of Neon transformers
15/11/2017
Do you ever get asked to dim neon installations by DMX control? It can be done...
Whilst we can't supply a neon transformer that takes a DMX signal directly, there are Interfaces that take a DMX digital control signal and convert it to an analogue 0-10VDC control voltage - a protocol commonly used for room lighting controls. This 0-10VDC signal can then control either:
- For magnetic (coil & core) transformers - a dimmer module, such as our Siet 15A 'Dimmerbox' (part no. 66202) or the RVE 'RV' range of dimmers (part nos. 9603 / 9608 / 9609). You will need to use transformers with no integral Earth Leakage protection and then use an external Earth Leakage Protection like the Promo Ref 440 (part no. 96ELS6A).
- For Hansen electronic neon converters - we have two models that take a 0-10VDC signal directly, the EVG40/3D (40mA 3KV) and EVG50/2D (50mA 2KV). These give very good dimming performance and incorporate Open Circuit and Earth Leakage protections, built in - making installation easier, neater and safer.
DMX Dimming for neon - diagram
Hansen 0-10VDC neon converters
